Soil microbes are fundamental to soil health, fertility, and ecosystem functionality. These microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, archaea, and protozoa, perform critical roles in nutrient cycling, organic matter decomposition, soil structure maintenance, and plant health. They facilitate the transformation and mobilization of essential nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur, enhancing plant nutrient availability and promoting growth. Soil microbes also contribute to the formation of soil aggregates, improving soil structure, water infiltration, and retention. Additionally, they play a pivotal role in carbon sequestration, aiding in climate change mitigation by stabilizing organic carbon in soil matrices. Understanding the diversity, functions, and interactions of soil microbes is essential for developing sustainable agricultural practices and managing soil health. This chapter highlights the vital contributions of soil microbes to ecosystem services and their benefits for soil management and environmental sustainability.
Classification, Ecological factors, Function, Soil flora, Soil fauna
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