MINERALIZATION OF C, N AND P IN RELATION TO DECOMPOSER COMMUNITY STRUCTURE IN CONIFEROUS FOREST SOIL

Two laboratory microcosm experiments were performed on raw humus forest soil, partially sterilized and re-inoculated with microbes (including protozoans), microbes with enchytraeids (C. sphagnetorum), collembolans (O. armatus) or bacterial-feeding nematodes, each either alone or in combination. and bacterial feeders together with predatory nematodes. The presence of inoculated fauna increased the evolution of CO2, and more so when two animal taxa were present in combination. The release of water-soluble N and P was lowest with bacterial-feeding nematodes alone. Other taxa either alone or together with the bacterial feeders increased the availability of nutrients when compared with bacterial feeders + microbes, but not when compared with microbes alone. Mutual relationships among the fauna were considered to be of importance in the decomposition processes.