Nematode Role In The Soil Food Web Nematodes are another important predator in the soil. They fall in the 3rd and 4th tropic level of the soil food web. There are 5 types of nematodes I look for while doing soil assessments: bacterial feeding (consume bacteria) fungal feeding (consume fungi) omnivores (eat both bacteria and … Continue reading Nematodes: Predator and Prey
Category: Soil Food Web
The foundation of prosperous soil
Protozoa: Amebae, Flagellates and Nutrient Cycling
The third tropic level of the soil food web are the shredders, predators, and grazers. Bacteria and fungal feeding nematodes, protozoa, arthropods fall into this level .This is where nutrients are made plant available! Protozoa's Role in the Soil Food Web We have learned that bacteria in the soil are the foundation of large food … Continue reading Protozoa: Amebae, Flagellates and Nutrient Cycling
Fungi: The link in the soil
Fungal hyphae growing from spore. 400x mag. Fungi play a very important role in the soil food web. The aerobic, filamentous hyphae act like a grocery delivery service for plants. A plant indicates what nutrients it needs and the fungi seek out those nutrients in the surrounding soil! The fungi is rewarded with plant exudates … Continue reading Fungi: The link in the soil
Bacteria: The basic soil organism
Soil Microbes: The Workhorses of the Nutrient Cycle These tiny organisms may not seem like much, but they are the foundation of the soil food web. Bacteria help build the structure of the soil and break down nutrients locked up in soil particles. Bacteria are a food source for higher level organisms. Bacterial dominated soils are usually … Continue reading Bacteria: The basic soil organism
Microorganisms of the Soil Food Web
The bacteria, fungi, protozoa and nematodes in your soil can transform your soil nutrients into plant available forms. We have been led to believe that our soils lack nutrients and must be added. What is wrong with that statement is that the soils lack the nutrients. That is incorrect. The nutrients are there, they are just not plant available. And … Continue reading Microorganisms of the Soil Food Web
What Does Your Fungal to Bacteria Ratio Mean?
The Fungal to Bacteria Ratio (F:B) can tell you important information about your soil and the organisms present (or missing) and the stage of succession your current soil is in. A soil assessment can determine your ratio.Succession is a term used to indicate where you are in the soil health cycle. Different succession levels favor … Continue reading What Does Your Fungal to Bacteria Ratio Mean?