Molecular Microbiology Research 2024, Vol.14, No.2, 79-91 http://microbescipublisher.com/index.php/mmr 81 nutrients, thereby impacting ecosystem health and function (Figure 1). Additionally, nutrient-rich soils can enhance microbial activity and enzyme production, accelerating the decomposition process (Burešová et al., 2019; Raczka et al., 2021). Figure 1 Microbial communities in different microhabitats in and on a decomposing animal or human undergo a succession that occur on different timescales (top, right panel) (Adopted fromMason et al., 2023) Image caption: Commensal microbial communities, internal (yellow) and external (green), are the first to respond to decomposition and have a defined endpoint corresponding to the complete disintegration of the carcass tissue (represented by blunt-end arrows). Soil microbial communities (purple) undergo succession as decomposition products enter the soil and this succession continues after soft tissue decomposition is complete (represented by pointed arrow) (Adopted fromMason et al., 2023) Mason et al. (2023) study illustrates the microbial community succession in different microenvironments during vertebrate decomposition. The microbial communities exhibit significant changes over time as decomposition progresses. This figure clearly demonstrates how microbial decomposers release nutrients and other compounds into the environment during the breakdown of organic matter, thereby influencing biogeochemical cycles and overall ecosystem health. It serves as an important reference for studying the role of microbial decomposition in different microenvironments. 3 Decomposer Microbes and Their Roles 3.1 Bacteria Bacteria play a crucial role in the decomposition process, particularly in the breakdown of simpler organic compounds and the cycling of nutrients such as nitrogen. They are essential in the decomposition of fungal mycelia and contribute significantly to nitrogen-cycle processes, including nitrogen fixation. Bacterial communities are highly dynamic and can rapidly respond to changes in environmental conditions and substrate availability. For instance, in the decomposition of leaf litter, bacterial communities undergo significant shifts in composition and abundance, with Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Bacteroidetes being dominant groups (Purahong et al., 2016). Additionally, bacteria are involved in the decomposition of agricultural wastes, where they contribute to the formation of compost and enhance the diversity and function of microbial communities (Simarmata et al., 2021).
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