English

The contribution of the microfauna to total soil metabolism

Published data are used to derive total annual metabolism estimates for some soil invertebrates in nine contrasting habitats. It is concluded that: 1. Over this range total invertebrate metabolism is closely similar. 2. In mor soils microfaunal activity largely compensates for that of larger species. 3. Herbivore metabolism is rather constant but that of predators varies greatly. 4. Within the main trophic groups the proportion of metabolism due to each taxonomic group varies widely. The relation between metabolism and other criteria of importance is considered.

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