Nutrient and energy flows through soil microbial biomass
Date
1980
Authors
Paul, Eldor A., author
Voroney, R. P., author
Academic Press, publisher
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Abstract
The recognition and recent studies of the role of living organisms (biomass) in carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus flows in nature have stressed the role of the microorganisms as sources and sinks for nutrients, in addition to their traditional role in transformation of the nutrient elements. Techniques for determining the size and activity of laboratory cultures have had to be altered for field measurements. Similarly, growth concepts developed using liquid culture studies should be applicable in the field after the effects of such factors as competition, the presence of inhibitors, physical adsorption and entrapment, and the broad variety of available energy sources have been considered. Enough information is now available on microbial biomass and activity in terrestrial soils, sediments and aquatic systems that reasonably accurate mathematical descriptions of the pool sizes and processes involved can be made. Mathematical modelling is useful in that it allows one to describe the processes. It also provides for the testing of available data and concepts and thereby points out where further research is necessary.
Description
Rights Access
Subject
decomposition rates
plant residues
organic matter
carbon transformation models
microbial growth