Soil fauna are instrumental in forest ecosystems and contribute greatly to the decomposition of leaf litter and influence the release of nutrients from the litter. In this study led by the TEE Lab's exchange student, Dr Xu Xuan, and published in Plant and Soil, the effect of soil fauna on nutrient release was investigated over a two-year period in a poplar plantation in eastern China.
Example of a poplar plantation. Source: Wikimedia Commons.
Using litterbags of varying mesh sizes and chemical treatments, the study found that soil fauna contributed to nearly 30% of litter mass loss. Their presence significantly promoted the breakdown of cellulose and lignin, and accelerated nitrogen release at later stages of decomposition. These exciting results showcase the importance of soil fauna in forest ecosystems and provides us with a better understanding on their role in terrestrial ecosystem functioning.
Read the full article here: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11104-023-06300-3