Fall 2003 The Ecological Landscaper Newsletter

The Newsletter of The Ecological Landscaping Association Vol. 10, No. 3 Fall 2003 The soil food web WHAT IS THE SOIL FOOD WEB? L ife in the soil takes a multitude of forms, most of which are undetectable by the unaided eye. These forms range in size and... More

The Newsletter of The Ecological Landscaping Association Vol. 10, No. 3 Fall 2003 The soil food web WHAT IS THE SOIL FOOD WEB? L ife in the soil takes a multitude of forms, most of which are undetectable by the unaided eye. These forms range in size and kind from microscopic one-celled bacteria, algae, fungi, and protozoa, to larger nematodes, anthropods, earthworms, insects, plant roots, and small animals. These make up the community called the soil food web. The soil organisms decompose organic matter, recycle nutrients and energy, and aid in the formation of humus. They convert nutrients into forms plants can use. In fact, all plants— grass, trees, shrubs, and agricultural crops—depend on the soil food web for their nutrition. In turn, plant roots exude sugars and simple proteins that feed bacteria and fungi. WHY IS THE SOIL FOOD WEB IMPORTANT? The soil food web performs an amazing number and variety of functions that contribute to soil quality, plant health, and the cycles Less