Soil fungi and macrofauna in the neotropics

Abstract

Decomposition is a critical ecosystem function that decomposes dead organicmaterials, removes wastes, recycles nutrients and renews soil fertility. In natural ecosystems most nitrogen (N) and phosphorous (P) required for plant growth are supplied through the decomposition of detritus, relying therefore on the activities of soil microbes and macrofauna. Decomposition is a consequence of interacting physical and chemical processes occurring inside and outside of living organisms in an ecosystem (Chapin III et al. 2002). The two major processes include fragmentation, breaking larger pieces of organic mater into smaller ones, and chemical alteration, the change of chemical elements of dead organicmater into others. Fragmentation is largely a consequence of feeding activity of soil macrofauna and chemical alteration is primarily associated with the activity of bacteria and fungi.