Soil microorganisms are diverse, although they share functions during the decomposition of organic matter. Relating the biodiversity patterns of soil ecological communities to soil biogeochemistry remains an important challenge for ecologists and earth system modelers. Soil organic matter provides the “fuel” for microbial growth and reproduction, as well as providing a number of other benefits. The most important function of soil microorganisms is the decomposition of various kinds of organic matter present in the soil. The microbes that make up the bulk of the decomposition process fall into two categories: mesophilic, those that live and function in temperatures of 50 to 113°F, and thermophilic, those that thrive at temperatures between 113 to 158°F. The end-product of this concentrated decomposition process is nutrient-rich soil that can help crops, garden plants and trees to grow. They also boost the decomposition of active soil, the portion of soil that is still in the process of decomposing. These functions of decomposition and soil structure formation by microbes are highly dependent on soil organic matter. Soil Ecology Soils harbor a rich diversity of invertebrate and microbial life, which drives biogeochemical processes from local to global scales. It has a high nutritional content, and has a greater localised soil nutrient benefit than the addition of plant matter or manure (Carter et al., 2007). The release of mineralized nitrogen from litter was small for the artificial grassland because the soil microbes absorbed most of the mineralized N during decomposition. The soil organic matter chiefly consists of residues of dead plant and animals, and the excretory products of the living beings. Crowther et al. Billions of aerobic bacteria working to decompose the organic matter in a compost pile causes the pile to warm up. decomposition and soil structure formation by microbes are highly dependent on soil organic matter. Most soil bacteria prefer well oxygenated soils (aerobic bacteria) and use the oxygen to decompose most carbon compounds. Examples of aerobic bacteria include the Aerobacter genus which is widely distributed in the soil and actinomycetes bacteria genus Streptomyces (antibiotics) which give soil its good “earthy” smell. These processes are largely restricted to the upper meter of soil. As the temperature rises, different organisms thrive. The organic materials (plant and animal residues) incorporated in the soil is attacked by a variety of microbes, worms, and insects in the soil if the soil is moist. A decomposing cadaver is considered to be a high quality nutrient resource; it has a low carbon to nitrogen ratio (good for decomposition) and a high water content (Carter et al., 2007). Soil microorganisms alter the waste constituents through organic matter decomposition, inorganic transformations, and nutrient assimilation. The ability of soil microorganisms to decompose organic matter is … By assisting in decomposition, microorganisms create stabilized organic matter, organic material that cannot be degraded further. Thus, preferences for soil conditions and litter quality were explored to understand their niche partitioning. Virtually all types of organic matters eventually find their way to the soil or to the sea. Soil microbes, or microorganisms, are the mediators that convert the bigger organic pieces, such as plant matter, insect skeletons and worm castings, into the ammonium and phosphate that the plants can take up and use. ... 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