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The World of Protozoa, Rotifera, Nematoda and Oligochaeta

Ref ID : 2414

Marie-Madeleine Couteaux, G. Faurie, L. Palka, and C. Steinberg; [La relation predateur-proie (protozoaires-bacteries) dans les sols: role dans la regulation des populations et consequences sur les cycles du carbone et de l'azote] (Prey-predator relationship (protozoa-microflora) in soil: role in population regulation and consequences on the carbon and nitrogen cycles). REVUE D'ECOLOGIE ET DE BIOLOGIE DU SOL (Rev.Ecol.Biol.Sol) 25(1):1-31, 1988

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Protozoa are an important component of the soil biota, because they regulate the size and the activity of the microbial biomass. Most of the published data on prey-predator relationships between protozoa and microflora are discussed and analysed. Different experimental approaches are proposed (models, microcosms) and technical problems of the quntitative measurement are discussed (counting methods, distinction between trophic forms and cysts). The relationships between protozoa and biotop is discussed with respect to space and water availability. The regulatory role of protozoa on the microbial biomass is demonstrated and mathematical models of prey-predator relationships are discussed. The stimulating effect of predation on some microbial functions, such as respiration and non-symbiotic nitrogen fixation, are emphasized and the participation of protozoa on nitrogen mineralization is suggested.