By David Hewitt
The importance of soil organisms in healthy soils cannot be overlooked. In fact, these organisms
are accountable for the optimal performance of key soil functions. Soil biodiversity comprises
of the beneficial organisms that normally spend their life either inside or outside the soil. Soil
organisms embody a large part of the universal terrestrial biodiversity. These organisms carry
out an extensive range of soil process that helps to improve soil fertility in both agricultural
systems and natural ecosystems. The following article contains a brief description of the vital
soil organisms in addition to their ecological and biological attributes.
Micro-organisms
As the name suggests, micro-organisms are minute creatures that are both diverse and
extremely abundant. They include bacteria, fungi and algae among many others. These
organisms have the capability of decomposing almost all existing natural materials. They work
by transforming organic compost into usable nutrients that can easily be absorbed by plants.
The two key groups of micro-organisms are fungi and bacteria.
Bacteria
These organisms are one celled in nature and can be seen only by using an electron microscope
since they are quite small. They comprise the greatest biomass of all soil organisms. Bacteria
are more plentiful near plant roots. They benefit soil through their great contribution in the
general carbon cycle through decomposition and fixation. Some bacteria function effectively
at decomposing, while others help break down some tough substances like fungi cell walls.
Furthermore, bacteria also exude an important sticky substance that assists in binding soil
particles, thus providing soil stability.
Fungi
Fungi are made up of microscopic cells, which can grow into long strands or threads known as
hyphae. The saprophytic group of fungi helps transform dead organic matter to CO2, organic
acids and fungal biomass. Also known as decomposers, these organisms decompose and retain
vital soil nutrients. The mycorrhizal fungi work by colonizing plants roots using a symbolic
interaction. They increase the overall area linked to plant roots, which allows plants to reach
water and minerals and thus use all the available soil resources effectively. Additionally,
pathogens cause death or reduction through colonizing roots and various other organisms.
Many fungi assist in controlling diseases like the process of parasitizing nematodes, which
normally cause diseases.
Micro-fauna
Soil organisms that are considered like micro-fauna include mites, protozoa and nematodes.
These organisms reside in the soil and they feed on plant roots, micro-fauna, micro-fauna and
sometimes bigger organisms. They are necessary for releasing the nutrients that might be
immobilized by other microorganisms.
Nematodes
These are small roundworms present in most soils and they offer immense benefits in
agriculture. They graze on fungi and bacteria and therefore they control populations of
dangerous microorganisms. They reside in soil water and they fill the spaces between the small
soil particles.
Macro-fauna
These are large organisms that are visible without the need of using instruments like
microscopes. Macro-fauna is made up of vertebrates like mice, moles and snakes that dig inside
the soil to gain shelter or food. It also includes invertebrates like earthworms, centipedes and
termites among many others, which feed and live in or on top of the soil.
In both agricultural and natural systems, soil organisms offer lots of benefits since they help in
regulating decomposition, water movement and nutrient cycling simply due to their burrowing
and feeding activities.
The importance of soil organisms in healthy soils cannot be overlooked. In fact, these organisms
are accountable for the optimal performance of key soil functions. Soil biodiversity comprises
of the beneficial organisms that normally spend their life either inside or outside the soil. Soil
organisms embody a large part of the universal terrestrial biodiversity. These organisms carry
out an extensive range of soil process that helps to improve soil fertility in both agricultural
systems and natural ecosystems. The following article contains a brief description of the vital
soil organisms in addition to their ecological and biological attributes.
Micro-organisms
As the name suggests, micro-organisms are minute creatures that are both diverse and
extremely abundant. They include bacteria, fungi and algae among many others. These
organisms have the capability of decomposing almost all existing natural materials. They work
by transforming organic compost into usable nutrients that can easily be absorbed by plants.
The two key groups of micro-organisms are fungi and bacteria.
Bacteria
These organisms are one celled in nature and can be seen only by using an electron microscope
since they are quite small. They comprise the greatest biomass of all soil organisms. Bacteria
are more plentiful near plant roots. They benefit soil through their great contribution in the
general carbon cycle through decomposition and fixation. Some bacteria function effectively
at decomposing, while others help break down some tough substances like fungi cell walls.
Furthermore, bacteria also exude an important sticky substance that assists in binding soil
particles, thus providing soil stability.
Fungi
Fungi are made up of microscopic cells, which can grow into long strands or threads known as
hyphae. The saprophytic group of fungi helps transform dead organic matter to CO2, organic
acids and fungal biomass. Also known as decomposers, these organisms decompose and retain
vital soil nutrients. The mycorrhizal fungi work by colonizing plants roots using a symbolic
interaction. They increase the overall area linked to plant roots, which allows plants to reach
water and minerals and thus use all the available soil resources effectively. Additionally,
pathogens cause death or reduction through colonizing roots and various other organisms.
Many fungi assist in controlling diseases like the process of parasitizing nematodes, which
normally cause diseases.
Micro-fauna
Soil organisms that are considered like micro-fauna include mites, protozoa and nematodes.
These organisms reside in the soil and they feed on plant roots, micro-fauna, micro-fauna and
sometimes bigger organisms. They are necessary for releasing the nutrients that might be
immobilized by other microorganisms.
Nematodes
These are small roundworms present in most soils and they offer immense benefits in
agriculture. They graze on fungi and bacteria and therefore they control populations of
dangerous microorganisms. They reside in soil water and they fill the spaces between the small
soil particles.
Macro-fauna
These are large organisms that are visible without the need of using instruments like
microscopes. Macro-fauna is made up of vertebrates like mice, moles and snakes that dig inside
the soil to gain shelter or food. It also includes invertebrates like earthworms, centipedes and
termites among many others, which feed and live in or on top of the soil.
In both agricultural and natural systems, soil organisms offer lots of benefits since they help in
regulating decomposition, water movement and nutrient cycling simply due to their burrowing
and feeding activities.
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