Direct and Indirect Effects of Soil Fauna, Fungi and Plants on Greenhouse Gas Fluxes

Zaman, M. et al. 2021. Direct and Indirect Effects of Soil Fauna, Fungi and Plants on Greenhouse Gas Fluxes. In: Zaman, M., Heng, L., Müller, C. eds Measuring Emission of Agricultural Greenhouse Gases and Developing Mitigation Options using Nuclear and Related Techniques. Cham: Springer: 151-176

Soils harbour diverse soil faunaand a wide range of soil microorganisms. These fauna and microorganisms directly contribute to soil greenhouse gas (GHG) fluxes via their respiratory and metabolic activities and indirectly by changing the physical, chemical and biological properties of soils through bioturbation, fragmentation and redistribution of plant residues, defecation, soil aggregate formation, herbivory, and grazing on microorganisms and fungi. Based on recent results, the methods and results found in relation to fauna as well as from fungi and plants are presented. The approaches are outlined, and the significance of these hitherto ignored fluxes is discussed.