Drilosphere

Soil Ecology Porosphere Aggregatusphere

Decomposition

Drilosphere applies to the environment around worm burrows.

Three types of earthworms. First to appear - endogeic horizontal burrows deep down.

'geic' from "Gaia" or "Earth" . Later
Epigeic - horizontal no burrows, and
Anecic - vertical burrows. Largest UK worms inc Lumbricus terrestris (Left)

Detritusphere

Below the surface, anaerobic process are mainly responsible for the decomposition

They turn debris into humus, Various organisms, like worms, break down the debris into small enough pieces for mites to chew - and poo - leading to the production of 'humic substances', an indefinite mixture that provides nutrients for plants.

They evolved sometime later 350-300mya. Hence the Carboniferous Age (predominantly coal) where decomposition did not occur

¾ of all soil mesofauna are oribatid mites. Their densities reach half a million in acidic soils of northern boreal forests. but fall to a few hundred per square metre in intensively used agricultural sites.

These really big numbers of oribatid mites make, EO Wilson the well known entomologist and socio-biologist call 'the most important creatures' on earth. Or should that be 'in' earth? He said that if ever an International Committee on Biodiversity is ever set up, they should be top of the list.

Oribatid mites have (mainly) anaerobic gut bacteria

They are well protected deep down in soil.

baby mites hatching

Anaerobic reactions can do the job, but are less efficient that aerobic. Anaerobic bacteria have to use another energy source other than oxygen - and that very often is nitrates. The same stuff being spread as fertiliser.

Anaerobic and aerobic reactions can take place v close to each other, giving soil a unique ability to deal with anything