Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Microbes and Climate Change

Microbes and Climate Change

Microorganisms are pivotal agents in Earth's biogeochemical cycles, significantly influencing climate dynamics through their metabolic activities. These microbes modulate the levels of key greenhouse gases by both contributing to and helping mitigate climate change.Microbial Contributions to Greenhouse Gas EmissionsRising global temperatures accelerate microbial metabolism, which, in turn, speeds up the decomposition of organic matter. This process releases carbon dioxide (CO₂) through...

Soil Microbial Ecology

Soil Microbial Ecology

Soil microbial ecology is defined by highly diverse, spatially structured communities that drive nutrient cycling, organic matter turnover, and overall ecosystem stability. Although a gram of soil can contain thousands of bacterial and archaeal taxa, the ecological processes they mediate are even more crucial for sustaining terrestrial life.Microhabitats and NichesSoil is a heterogeneous mixture of minerals, organic matter, water, and air. Microbes inhabit distinct microhabitats formed by...

What are Biogeochemical Cycles?

What are Biogeochemical Cycles?

The most common elements in organic molecules, carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus, are only available in the ecosystem in limited amounts. Therefore, these nutrients must be recycled through both biotic and abiotic components of the ecosystem, in processes generally called biogeochemical cycles.

Freshwater Microbial Ecology

Freshwater Microbial Ecology

Freshwater systems such as streams, rivers, and lakes exhibit distinct physical and biological characteristics that influence their microbial communities. These environments are broadly categorized into lotic systems—those with flowing waters like streams and most rivers—and lentic systems, which include still or slow-moving waters such as lakes, ponds, and marshes.In lentic systems, phytoplankton drive primary production, generating autochthonous organic carbon. In contrast, lotic systems...

Microbes and the Carbon Cycle

Microbes and the Carbon Cycle

The carbon cycle is a fundamental Earth process involving the transfer of carbon among the biosphere, lithosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere. It plays a critical role in regulating the planet’s climate and supporting life by cycling carbon through various chemical forms and reservoirs. Carbon primarily circulates as carbon dioxide (CO₂), representing its oxidized form, while reduced forms such as methane (CH₄) and organic compounds also play essential roles.Microbial activity is central to...

Biodeterioration

Biodeterioration

Biodeterioration refers to the unwanted alteration of materials caused by microorganisms—especially fungi—which damage both organic substrates (paper, wood, textiles) and inorganic ones (stone, plaster, glass). Unlike abiotic decay, biodeterioration results from biological activity that produces physical disruption and chemical degradation.Physical deterioration occurs as fungal hyphae penetrate pores, cracks, and surface irregularities. Hyphal turgor pressure, thigmotropic growth along...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Group Intervention for Parents of Children with Disabilities (Navigator ACT): An Open Feasibility Trial.

Journal of autism and developmental disorders·2022

Same author

Transition to marine ice cliff instability controlled by ice thickness gradients and velocity.

Science (New York, N.Y.)·2021

Same author

Response to Letter to the Editor: "Osteoarthritis progression after exercise therapy or meniscectomy in patients with degenerative meniscal tears".

Osteoarthritis and cartilage·2020

Same author

Development of osteoarthritis in patients with degenerative meniscal tears treated with exercise therapy or surgery: a randomized controlled trial.

Osteoarthritis and cartilage·2020

Same author

Decomposition of <sup>15</sup>N-labelled beech litter and fate of nitrogen derived from litter in a beech forest.

Oecologia·2017

Same author

Non-Adherence And Non-Persistence Related To Glp-1 Therapy In Patients With Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 (T2dm): Analysis of A Large German Claims-Based Dataset And Comparison To Oral Anti-Diabetics.

Value in health : the journal of the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research·2016

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 5, 2026

Linking Predation Risk, Herbivore Physiological Stress and Microbial Decomposition of Plant Litter

Linking Predation Risk, Herbivore Physiological Stress and Microbial Decomposition of Plant Litter

Published on: March 12, 2013

Litter decomposition, climate and liter quality.

M M Coûteaux¹, P Bottner, B Berg

¹Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, BP 5051, Route de Mende, F-34033 Montpellier Cedex, France.

Trends in Ecology & Evolution

|January 18, 2011

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Litter decomposition, crucial for the carbon cycle, is governed by climate and litter quality. These factors influence decomposition rates and humus formation, especially with changing atmospheric conditions.

More Related Videos

Assessment of Labile Organic Carbon in Soil Using Sequential Fumigation Incubation Procedures

Assessment of Labile Organic Carbon in Soil Using Sequential Fumigation Incubation Procedures

Published on: October 29, 2016

Design and Operation of a Continuous 13C and 15N Labeling Chamber for Uniform or Differential, Metabolic and Structural, Plant Isotope Labeling

Design and Operation of a Continuous ¹³C and ¹⁵N Labeling Chamber for Uniform or Differential, Metabolic and Structural, Plant Isotope Labeling

Published on: January 16, 2014

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 5, 2026

Linking Predation Risk, Herbivore Physiological Stress and Microbial Decomposition of Plant Litter

Linking Predation Risk, Herbivore Physiological Stress and Microbial Decomposition of Plant Litter

Published on: March 12, 2013

Assessment of Labile Organic Carbon in Soil Using Sequential Fumigation Incubation Procedures

Assessment of Labile Organic Carbon in Soil Using Sequential Fumigation Incubation Procedures

Published on: October 29, 2016

Design and Operation of a Continuous 13C and 15N Labeling Chamber for Uniform or Differential, Metabolic and Structural, Plant Isotope Labeling

Design and Operation of a Continuous ¹³C and ¹⁵N Labeling Chamber for Uniform or Differential, Metabolic and Structural, Plant Isotope Labeling

Published on: January 16, 2014

Area of Science:

Ecology
Biogeochemistry

Background:

Litter decomposition plays a vital role in the global carbon cycle.
Factors influencing decomposition include climate, litter quality, and decomposer organisms.
Recent interest stems from potential impacts of increased atmospheric carbon dioxide and global warming.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the primary controls on litter decomposition.
To highlight the significance of litter quality and climate.
To discuss the implications for the global carbon cycle.

Main Methods:

Review of existing literature on litter decomposition.
Analysis of the interplay between climate, litter quality, and decomposers.
Synthesis of findings related to carbon cycling and humus formation.

Main Results:

Climate is dominant under unfavorable conditions; litter quality prevails under favorable conditions.
Litter quality influences humus formation throughout decomposition.
Climate change factors (CO2, warming) may alter litter quality and decomposition rates.

Conclusions:

Climate and litter quality are key regulators of decomposition.
Understanding these factors is critical for predicting carbon cycle dynamics.
Litter decomposition is sensitive to global environmental changes.