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

Environmental Applications of Microorganisms

Environmental Applications of Microorganisms

Microorganisms play a pivotal role in maintaining ecosystem balance by recycling essential elements such as carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, as well as supporting processes like bioremediation, wastewater treatment, and biofuel production.Microbes in Elemental CyclesIn the carbon cycle, microorganisms decompose organic matter, releasing carbon dioxide via aerobic respiration. This carbon dioxide is subsequently used by photosynthetic organisms to synthesize organic compounds, closing the...

The Roles of Bacteria and Fungi in Plant Nutrition

The Roles of Bacteria and Fungi in Plant Nutrition

Plants have the impressive ability to create their own food through photosynthesis. However, plants often require assistance from organisms in the soil to acquire the nutrients they need to function correctly. Both bacteria and fungi have evolved symbiotic relationships with plants that help the species to thrive in a wide variety of environments.

The Soil Ecosystem

The Soil Ecosystem

Plants obtain inorganic minerals and water from the soil, which acts as a natural medium for land plants. The composition and quality of soil depend not only on the chemical constituents but also on the presence of living organisms. In general, soils contain three major components:

Metabolism of Chemolithotrophs

Metabolism of Chemolithotrophs

Chemolithotrophs are microorganisms that obtain energy by oxidizing inorganic molecules such as hydrogen gas (H₂), ammonia (NH₃), reduced sulfur compounds (H₂S, S²⁻), and ferrous iron (Fe²⁺). Unlike heterotrophic organisms that rely on organic carbon, chemolithotrophs transfer electrons from these inorganic donors to the electron transport chain (ETC), generating a proton motive force (PMF) that drives ATP synthesis through oxidative phosphorylation.

Microbial Nutrition

Microbial Nutrition

Organisms exhibit remarkable metabolic diversity, categorized based on how they acquire energy and carbon. These strategies enable survival in various ecological niches and are essential for maintaining energy flow and nutrient cycling within ecosystems.Energy and Carbon SourcesOrganisms are classified as phototrophs or chemotrophs based on energy acquisition. Phototrophs use light as their energy source, while chemotrophs rely on oxidizing chemical compounds. Further differentiation arises...

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by

Same author

High-Resolution Molecular Analyses Reveal Non-additive Impacts of Chronic Warming and Nitrogen Addition on Soil-Derived Dissolved Organic Matter.

Environmental science & technology·2026

Same author

Coordination between root exudation rates and root conservation traits under simultaneous warming and nitrogen addition.

The New phytologist·2026

Same author

Temperate forest heterogeneity decreases local and landscape-scale spider diversity through habitat filtering despite increasing species turnover.

The Journal of animal ecology·2026

Same author

Metabolic Assessment in Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cerebral Organoids Using HR-MAS NMR Spectroscopy.

NMR in biomedicine·2026

Same author

The politicization of academic collaborations threatens to harm international science.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·2026

Same author

Nature-based solutions: a double-edged sword for biological invasions?

Trends in ecology & evolution·2026

Same journal

Friction-Mediated Transfer of Low Molecular Weight Chemicals from Consumer Mats to Fabrics: Insights for Dermal Exposure.

Environmental science & technology·2026

Same journal

Molecular Drivers of Contrasting Photoreactivity in Extracellular versus Intracellular Organic Matter from Chlorophyta and Cyanobacteria.

Environmental science & technology·2026

Same journal

Effective Precipitate Cleaning with a Reversible Flow Cell Sustains Stable Energy Intensity for Oceanic CO<sub>2</sub> Removal.

Environmental science & technology·2026

Same journal

The Efficiencies and Products of Dilute Methane Oxidation in a Chlorine Radical Photoreactor.

Environmental science & technology·2026

Same journal

Investigating Ultrafine Aerosol Turbulent Fluxes during Atmospheric New Particle Formation Events.

Environmental science & technology·2026

Same journal

Occurrence, Sources, and Export Rates of Ti-Bearing and Ce-Bearing (Nano)particles in the Seine River Where Engineered Nanoparticles Reach Natural Background Levels.

Environmental science & technology·2026

See all related articles

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 10, 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

Deciphering the Complex Interactions between Litter Inputs and Microbial Responses in Modulating Long-Term Soil

Meiling Man¹, Laura Castañeda-Gómez¹, Marie-Ange Moisan²

¹Environmental NMR Centre and Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M1C 1A4, Canada.

Environmental Science & Technology

|November 21, 2025

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Adding extra litter to temperate forests for 30 years did not increase soil organic matter (SOM). Microbial communities shifted, altering carbon use and failing to enhance forest carbon sequestration.

Keywords:

Soil carbon litter quality and quantity microbial profiling soil biogeochemistry soil priming

More Related Videos

Combined Size and Density Fractionation of Soils for Investigations of Organo-Mineral Interactions

Combined Size and Density Fractionation of Soils for Investigations of Organo-Mineral Interactions

Published on: February 15, 2019

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: Jan 10, 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

Combined Size and Density Fractionation of Soils for Investigations of Organo-Mineral Interactions

Combined Size and Density Fractionation of Soils for Investigations of Organo-Mineral Interactions

Published on: February 15, 2019

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:

Forest ecology
Soil science
Microbial ecology

Background:

Forests are crucial for natural climate solutions, with soil organic matter (SOM) playing a key role in carbon sequestration.
The microbial regulation of carbon cycling in temperate forest soils is complex and uncertain, especially under increased litter inputs.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the long-term effects of chronic litter addition on SOM composition and microbial communities in a temperate deciduous forest.
To determine if increased litterfall enhances carbon sequestration or leads to soil carbon loss.

Main Methods:

Analysis of SOM composition using molecular-level evidence.
Characterization of microbial community structure and function.
Experimental manipulation of detrital inputs over a 30-year period.

Main Results:

Chronic litter addition over 30 years did not increase soil carbon stocks.
Litter addition led to shifts in microbial community composition and altered carbon utilization strategies.
Excluding litter inputs resulted in decreased soil carbon content and enhanced SOM decomposition by specific bacterial groups.

Conclusions:

In mesic temperate forests, increased litterfall does not necessarily lead to enhanced carbon sequestration.
Microbial community shifts and altered carbon use strategies can counteract potential carbon gains from increased litter inputs.
Forest management strategies aimed at increasing carbon sequestration must consider microbial responses and soil carbon dynamics.