dc.contributor.author |
Griffiths, Hannah M.
|
|
dc.contributor.author |
Ashton, Louise A.
|
|
dc.contributor.author |
Parr, Catherine Lucy
|
|
dc.contributor.author |
Eggleton, Paul.
|
|
dc.date.accessioned |
2022-02-09T10:34:24Z |
|
dc.date.available |
2022-02-09T10:34:24Z |
|
dc.date.issued |
2020-09 |
|
dc.description.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. |
en_ZA |
dc.description.department |
Zoology and Entomology |
en_ZA |
dc.description.librarian |
pm2022 |
en_ZA |
dc.description.uri |
http://www.newphytologist.com |
en_ZA |
dc.identifier.citation |
Griffiths, H.M., Ashton, L.A., Parr, C.L. & Eggleton, P. (2021). The impact of invertebrate decomposers on plants and soil. New Phytologist, 231(6), 2142–2149. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.17553. |
en_ZA |
dc.identifier.issn |
0028-646X (print) |
|
dc.identifier.issn |
1469-8137 (online) |
|
dc.identifier.other |
10.1111/nph.17553 |
|
dc.identifier.uri |
http://hdl.handle.net/2263/83722 |
|
dc.language.iso |
en |
en_ZA |
dc.publisher |
Wiley |
en_ZA |
dc.rights |
© 2021 The Authors. New Phytologist Foundation. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License. |
en_ZA |
dc.subject |
Decomposition |
en_ZA |
dc.subject |
Invertebrates |
en_ZA |
dc.subject |
Microbes |
en_ZA |
dc.subject |
Nutrient cycling |
en_ZA |
dc.subject |
Plant growth and nutrition |
en_ZA |
dc.subject |
Soil fauna |
en_ZA |
dc.title |
The impact of invertebrate decomposers on plants and soil |
en_ZA |
dc.type |
Article |
en_ZA |