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Going Down
Going Down
Horizon A (topsoil):
Mostly minerals from parent material with organic matter incorporated. A good material for plants and other organisms to live.
Fungi
Fungi
Plant material, mainly from moss, bracken, pine needles and bark is consumed by worms and mites, particularly sciarid larvae (young fungus gnats) and phthiracarid mites (primitive oribatids). Fungal material (+ or - plant material) is ingested by many small soil animals, like camisiid and oppiid mites, lots of Collembola, and sciarid and chironomid larvae
Some research involves examining the guts of various soil animals, (can you imagine that job?) so we know more about their eating habits. More on soil animals diets. They found:
"Plant material, mainly from moss, bracken, pine needles and bark, was extensively consumed by enchytraeid and lumbricid worms, sciarid (Fungas gnats) larvae and phthiracarid (sort of Oribatid) mites. Fungal material was ingested by all groups, either in combination with plant material or alone (camisiid and oppiid mites, some species of Collembola, sciarid and chironomid larvae) (adult flies for fishing). Isotomid springtails
The vital relation between roots and fungi is called Mycorrhiza. This term was first created over 130 years ago. These fungi are attached to the root and take sugars from roots for their own energy and return soluble nutrients in the soil. Evolution
Fungi do not go that deep into soil as they are aerobic - max 18 inches.
Nematodes
Nematodes
The most prolific animals underground are the nemnatodes. They have been around several hundred million years, and now have seven sorts depending on their feeding structures. they were originally pplant eaters, but now many are free-living.
Click here to see how they can be trapped by fungal mycelia. Whoever can replicate the fungal glue could make a fortune.
Worms
Worms
The endogeic earthworms include Lumbricus rubella. They have deeper horizontal burrows. They are like massive earth moving equipment and are the ones we may see bringing a leaf down their burrow
Insect larvae:
Insect larvae:
Several insects lay their eggs in soils for the larval stage to grow in soil. Some are well-known pests, like 'leatherjackets' (here with adult daddy long legs) and wireworms. More
Oribatids Worms mangle organic matter but it is the myriad of mites that break down organic matter into v small parcels for fungi and bacteria to act on. The 'mesofauna' break down the leaves – springtails prising apart leaves. But is mainly oribatids that breakdown the big carbon molecules like chitin and lignin. Their bodies are full of microorganism that do the chemical breakdown in the protection of their bodies. The process of 'humification' - turning dead matter into humus, involves many different soil animals.
EO Wilson said: The world is run by little creatures most people have not heard of; They are called 'oribatids' "
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