Molecular Microbiology Research 2024, Vol.14, No.2, 79-91 http://microbescipublisher.com/index.php/mmr 85 Figure 2 Conceptual diagram linking living resource pools to dead resource pools through the death and decomposition of heterotrophically derived biomass in the form of carrion subsidies (Adopted from Benbow et al., 2020) Figure 2 illustrates the connection between the heterotrophic resource pool and the biotic resource pool through death and decomposition processes. As microbial decomposers break down organic matter, they convert dead biomass (such as animal carcasses) into nutrients and energy, which are then reintegrated into the biotic resource pool through food web interactions. This process not only influences the flow of energy and nutrients in the water but may also lead to changes in the overall health of the ecosystem. In summary, decomposition processes in freshwater and marine ecosystems are driven by complex interactions between microbial communities and environmental factors. These processes are crucial for nutrient cycling and maintaining ecosystem health, but they can also be influenced by human activities and environmental changes, significantly impacting water quality. 7 Decomposition and Climate Change 7.1 Influence of climate change on decomposition rates Climate change significantly influences decomposition rates through various mechanisms, including temperature, moisture, and alterations in microbial community composition. For instance, studies have shown that decomposition responses to climate are highly dependent on the microbial community composition, which is not typically considered in terrestrial carbon models (Glassman et al., 2018). Bacterial communities, in particular, have been found to shift more rapidly in response to changing climates than fungi, indicating a need to reevaluate the roles of these microbial communities in decomposition processes. Additionally, climatic controls on decomposition are primary drivers of the global distribution of forest-tree symbioses, affecting nutrient access and carbon sequestration (Steidinger et al., 2019). The temperature sensitivity (Q10) of soil organic matter (SOM) decomposition also varies with microbial community composition, with higher Q10 values observed in regions with K-selected microbial communities that dominate in warmer climates (Li et al., 2021). 7.2 Feedback mechanisms The feedback mechanisms between decomposition and climate change are complex and multifaceted. Decomposition of plant litter, for example, can act as a feedback to climate change by influencing both ecosystem
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