Although belowground ecosystems have been studied extensively and soil biota play integral roles in biogeochemical processes, surprisingly we have a limited understanding of global patterns in belowground biomass and community structure. To address this critical gap, we conducted a meta-analysis of published data (> 1300 datapoints) to compare belowground plant, microbial and faunal biomass acr...

Atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition profoundly alters the soil microbial communities and will thus affect nutrient cycles. The effects of N availability on microbial community, however, are not clear. We used PLFA analysis to evaluate the effects of a gradient of N addition (0, 2.8, 5.6, 11.2, and 22.4 g N m-2 y-1) for three years on the rhizospheric microbial community of Pinus tabuliformis se...

Bacteria, viruses, and single-celled eukaryotes are vital components of the Earth’s biodiversity. Until recently, it has been nearly impossible to study these microorganisms outside of a laboratory setting due to their small size, immense population numbers, and enormous diversity. However, recent advances in DNA sequencing technology are opening up the microbial world for fine-scale examinatio...

The microbial eco-physiology has been the vital key of microbial ecological research. Unfortunately, available methods for direct identity of microorganisms and for the investigation of their activity in complicated community dynamics are limited. In this study, metagenomics was considered as a promising functional genomics tool for improving our understanding of microbial eco-physiology. Its p...

Soybean is the most important oilseed cultivated in the world and Brazil is the second major producer. Expansion of soybean cultivation has direct and indirect impacts on natural habitats of high conservation value, such as the Brazilian savannas (Cerrado). In addition to deforestation, land conversion includes the use of fertilizers and pesticides and can lead to changes in the soil microbial ...

A major challenge in modern microbial ecology is to effectively and accurately determine total microbial community diversity, particularly with regard to the detection of (a) unculturable and fastidious bacterial species and (b) those present only in low abundance (i.e., minority populations). A common theme in published studies and textbooks regarding microbial community diversity in most envi...