Influence of the edaphic biota on soil fertility in grassland ecosystems

The role of soil biota in the decomposition of the organic matter and nutri entrecyclingis is of great importance. Earthworms and termites are responsi ble for creating the adequate conditions of soil aeration and coarse choppi ng of vegetative materials and organisms composing the organic remains that constitute soil biota. Diplopoda are mainly ted by decomposed vegetative r esidues facilitating the activity of other decaying matters of the trophic chain. Coleoptera favoure the active decay of faeces on the grassland accel erating its nutrient recycling while termites and colembola reduce to powde r the organic material. being more sensitive to microbial activity. These m icroarthropods promote the growth and distribution of microorganisms, fungi and transfer the decomposed matter to the radicular zone. The influence of the edafic fauna. specialty macrofauna and mesofauna on the nutrientrecycl ing in grassland ecosystems is demonstrated.