Abstract:
Soil invertebrates make significant contributions to the recycling of dead plant material across the
globe. However, studies focussed on the consequences of decomposition for plant communities
largely ignore soil fauna across all ecosystems, because microbes are often considered the
primary agents of decay. Here, we explore the role of invertebrates as not simply facilitators of
microbial decomposition, but as true decomposers, able to break down dead organic matter with
their own endogenic enzymes, with direct and indirect impacts on the soil environment and
plants. We recommend a holistic view of decomposition, highlighting how invertebrates and
microbes act in synergy to degrade organic matter, providing ecological services that underpin
plant growth and survival.
