The role of soil microarthropod community in leaf and root decomposition
Plant litter decomposition is key to carbon and nutrient cycling in terrestrial ecosystems. Soil fauna are important litter decomposers, however, information about soil animal community involved in decomposition and the size of their contribution to decomposition remains limited, especially for belowground root decomposition. Given that annual input of fine-root litter into the soil is almost equivalent to that of leaf litter, a broader perspective spanning over aboveground and belowground litter is crucial for careful assessment of biogeochemical processes. Here I will talk about how soil microarthropod community affects decomposition interactively with climate and litter traits of leaves/roots based on a series of litterbag experiments in forest sites.