Nanofauna (flagellates, amoebae) diversity in relation to land use and ecosystem functioning
Scientific investigators
(University Cologne)
Hypotheses:
- Protozoa are a dominant component of soil fauna, both in terms of abundance and biomass.
- Morphotype and genotype diversity of protozoa differ according to soil type and resource availability, particularly in the rhizosphere of plants
- Protozoa are by far the most important consumers of bacteria, and form a critical link to higher throphic levels of the bacterial energy channel in soil