Microbial activity and the dynamics of ecosystem processes in forest soils

•Forest ecosystems are dynamic on a wide range of temporal scales.•Tree root activity and precipitation induce short-term responses of soil microbes.•Seasonality of tree activity and temperature drives the activity of forest microbes.•Succession on litter and deadwood is largely driven by fungal activity.•Forest stand development is a complex process where microbes play an important role.

Microbial activity in forest soils is driven by the dynamics of ecosystem processes, largely dependent on trees as the major primary producers. Diurnal variation of root activity, seasonality of photosynthate production or recalcitrance of decomposing plant biomass all affect microbial abundance, composition of their communities and activity. Due to low N content, fungi appear to be the major decomposers of complex plant biomass: litter and deadwood and to largely shape associated bacterial communities and their activity. On the other hand, bacteria are important in decomposition of fungal mycelia and N-cycle processes including N-fixation. Microbial activity is also affected in the short term by climatic events and in the long-term by ecosystem development after disturbances.

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