Faunal Activities and Soil Processes: Adaptive Strategies that Determine Ecosystem Function

Abstract

"This paper aims first at linking these diverse approaches into a general conceptual model of the relationships between soil invertebrates and the other animate and inanimate components of the soil system. A functional classification of soil organisms based on their adaptive strategies is then attempted. Three large functional groups (guilds) of soil invertebrates are defined and their effects on soil organic matter dynamics, nutrient cycling and the soil physical structure are detailed."