Understanding the Soil Food Web and Carbon Cycle

1. Chapter 5 Life in the Soil Soil Science & Management, 4E

2. Objectives • Define the carbon cycle and explain its importance • Briefly describe soil organisms • List ways that soil organisms are important • Describe how to promote populations of beneficial soil organisms Soil Science & Management, 4E

3. Actinomycetes Aerobic Algae Anaerobic Antagonism Arthropods Autotrophs Bioremediation Carbon cycle Decomposers Denitrification Detritus Fungi Heterotrophs Humus Hyphae Immobilization Inoculation Terms to Know Soil Science & Management, 4E

4. Macrofauna Mesofauna Methane Microfauna Microflora Microorganisms Mineralization Mycelium Mycorrhizae Nematodes Nitrogen fixation Nonsymbiotic nitrogen fixation Organic matter Parasites Predators Primary consumers Primary producers Terms to Know Soil Science & Management, 4E

5. Terms to Know • Protozoa • Rhizosphere • Saprophytes • Secondary consumers • Solarization • Symbiosis • Symbiotic nitrogen fixation Soil Science & Management, 4E

6. The Soil Food Chain and Carbon Cycle Figure 5-1 Soil Science & Management, 4E

7. The Carbon Cycle Figure 5-2 Soil Science & Management, 4E

8. Microorganisms • Bacteria Figure 5-3 Soil Science & Management, 4E

9. Microorganisms • Fungi Figure 5-4b Soil Science & Management, 4E

10. Microorganisms • Actinomycetes (See Figure 5-5) • Algae Figure 5-5 Soil Science & Management, 4E

11. Distribution and Functionsof Microorganisms • Microfauna Soil Science & Management, 4E

12. Distribution and Functionsof Microorganisms • Distribution in the soil Figure 5-6 Soil Science & Management, 4E

13. Distribution and Functionsof Microorganisms • Nutrient cycling Figure 5-7 Soil Science & Management, 4E

14. Distribution and Functions of Microorganisms • Nutrient cycling Figure 5-8 Soil Science & Management, 4E

15. Distribution and Functions of Microorganisms • Nitrogen fixation • Nitrification • Denitrification • Soil structure • Mycorrhizae Soil Science & Management, 4E

16. Core of Nitrogen Cycle Figure 5-11 Soil Science & Management, 4E

17. Distribution and Functions of Microorganisms • Breaking down chemicals • Methane bacteria • Other functions Soil Science & Management, 4E

18. Promoting Soil Organisms • Inoculation • Soil conditions • Controlling harmful organisms Soil Science & Management, 4E

19. Soil Animals • Nematodes • Arthropods • Earthworms • Mammals Soil Science & Management, 4E

20. Summary • Carbon cycle—Primary producers, primary consumers, secondary consumers, and decomposers • Role of microorganisms as decomposers, is decay of organic matter • Nutrients are returned to the soil and carbon is returned from plants to atmosphere • Bacteria-decay organic matter (symbiotic and nonsymbiotic) • Need proper soil conditions to grow and multiply • Common soil animals are nematodes, arthropods, and earthworms Soil Science & Management, 4E