Fungi and bacteria are the two dominant groups of soil microbial communities worldwide. By
controlling the turnover of soil organic matter, these organisms directly regulate the …

The strategy that microbial decomposers take with respect to using substrate for growth
versus maintenance is one essential biological determinant of the propensity of carbon to …

Terrestrial microbial decomposer communities thrive on a wide range of organic matter
types that rarely ever meet their elemental demands. In this review we synthesize the current …

Microorganisms are critical in mediating carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycling processes in
soils. Yet, it has long been debated whether the processes underlying biogeochemical …

Background Soil microbial communities cope with an imbalanced supply of resources by
adjusting their element acquisition and utilization strategies. Although soil pH has long been …

The competition between weeds and crops for soil nutrients is affected by soil
microorganisms, which drive diverse ecological processes and are critical in maintaining the …

Intercropping is a powerful practice to alter the allocation of photosynthetic carbon (C) to
belowground ecosystems via promotion of diversified plant communities. The feedback of …

The soil microbial community fulfils various functions, such as nutrient cycling and carbon
(C) sequestration, therefore contributing to maintenance of soil fertility and mitigation of …

Diverse plants offer a multitude of benefits, including the provision of fresh air, clean water,
abundant food, stable climate, and a comfortable environment for humans. Plant diversity …

Soil ecological stoichiometry provides powerful theories to integrate the complex interplay of
element cycling and microbial communities into biogeochemical models. One essential …