1. Chemical engineers are mostly represented by archaea, bacteria and fungi (microbes). They are responsible for the humification and mineralization of organic matter, nutrient transformation such as the oxidation of ammonium to nitrate, and bioremediation of polluted soils. Furthermore, decomposers are responsible for most of the energy transfer by transforming plant residues and soil organic matter into microbial biomass and carbon dioxide. Chemical engineer organisms release nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and sulphur and make them available to plants.
2. Biological regulators (micro- or meso-fauna) include organisms with the ability to regulate the population dynamics of other soil organisms. Some are microbe consumers or predators (e.g., protozoa, nematodes, pot-worms, springtails, mites, centipedes) while others act through chemical mechanisms (i.e., extracellular enzymes, antibiotics, phytohormones), or as antagonists, parasites or competitors. Biological regulators are important to control soil-borne pests and diseases.
3. Ecosystem builders (macro- or mega-fauna) comprise earthworms, ants, termites, roots and some small mammals (e.g., moles, badgers, shrews) that move or ingest large amounts of soil, incorporate organic matter into the mineral soil matrix and actively construct pore networks, nests and/or soil aggregates in the form of organo-mineral excretions. By doing so, they create or modify the habitat and activity of other soil organisms.

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Soil Biodiversity Digital Exhibition

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PART II – Soil biodiversity

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