Soil fauna–microbe interactions: towards a conceptual framework for research
Citation
M HASSALL, Soil fauna–microbe interactions: towards a conceptual framework for research: .
Summary
We explore the potential for applying broad ecological theories to interactions between soil animals and micro-organisms to generate a predictive framework within which more hypothesis led research can be undertaken. The paper stems from discussions during a workshop at the XIVth International Symposium on Soil Zoology. The possible linkage between biodiversity and ecosystem functions forms a good example of how soil zoology research can be productively stimulated by addressing a broader ecological concept but also how the concept can be tested below ground at fundamentally different scales to those commonly used above ground. Other areas of theory rapidly developing above ground, which are yet to be fully tested below ground, include: [...]
Summary
We explore the potential for applying broad ecological theories to
interactions between soil animals and micro-organisms to generate a
predictive framework within which more hypothesis led research can be
undertaken. The paper stems from discussions during a workshop at the
XIVth International Symposium on Soil Zoology. The possible linkage
between biodiversity and ecosystem functions forms a good example of how
soil zoology research can be productively stimulated by addressing a
broader ecological concept but also how the concept can be tested below
ground at fundamentally different scales to those commonly used above
ground. Other areas of theory rapidly developing above ground, which are
yet to be fully tested below ground, include: spatial variability in
food webs; indirect interactions mediated through changes in plant
secondary chemistry; signalling, including tritrophic interactions;
optimal foraging theory, including depletion theory when patches differ
in quality as well as quantity; adaptive plasticity in life history
traits in relation to temporal variability in resources; trade-offs and
facultative non-symbiotic and symbiotic mutualism. We identify modelling
of effects of climate change on the soil compartment of the global
carbon cycle as an area in which understanding of soil
fauna–microbe interaction may outstrip current
ecological theory and as a major challenge facing soil biologists in the
future. Published in European Journal of Soil Biology, volume 42, on
pages S54 - S60, in 2006.
