Molecular Microbiology Research 2024, Vol.14, No.2, 79-91 http://microbescipublisher.com/index.php/mmr 87 Coban et al. (2022) study illustrates the types of land degradation and their impact on microbial communities. Land use changes can lead to a reduction in soil organic carbon and a decline in microbial biomass, which in turn affects decomposition processes and nutrient cycling. These changes not only alter soil structure but also weaken the overall health of the ecosystem. 8.2 Pollution and contaminants Pollution, including chemical contaminants and microplastics, poses a significant threat to microbial decomposition processes. Chemical contamination from agricultural and urban activities can alter microbial community structures and their decomposition abilities. For example, streams contaminated with pesticides and pharmaceuticals exhibit higher microbial decay rates, although fungal biomass is reduced due to pesticide toxicity (Rossi et al., 2019). Similarly, microplastic pollution affects microbial communities by altering their structure and function, with certain bacteria and fungi showing potential for microplastic degradation (Yuan et al., 2020). Oil contamination also transforms soil microbial communities, enhancing the expression of enzymes involved in hydrocarbon degradation and stimulating pathways for xenobiotics biodegradation (Huang et al., 2021). 8.3 Conservation and restoration efforts Conservation and restoration efforts aim to mitigate the negative impacts of human activities on microbial decomposition and ecosystem health. Strategies such as reforestation, the use of microbial inoculants, and the restoration of degraded lands have shown promise in enhancing soil microbial communities and their functions. For instance, soil microorganisms play a crucial role in restoring hydraulic functions in degraded soils, improving moisture content, and supporting plant growth (Coban et al., 2022). Additionally, adopting less-intensive land management practices can enhance microbial growth efficiency and carbon storage in soils (Malik et al., 2018). Restoration of soil carbon pools through sustainable land use practices can also contribute to climate change mitigation and improve soil quality (Padbhushan et al., 2022). 9 Conclusion Microbial decomposition is a critical process in maintaining ecosystem health by facilitating the recycling of nutrients and organic matter. Research highlights the significant roles of both fungi and bacteria in decomposing various organic substrates, such as leaf litter, deadwood, and animal carcasses. Fungi, due to their powerful enzymatic capabilities, typically dominate in breaking down complex plant biomass, while bacteria play key roles in the later stages of decomposition and nitrogen cycling. The decomposition process is influenced by multiple factors, including substrate quality, environmental conditions, and the presence of other organisms. Microbial communities exhibit distinct successional patterns during decomposition, with specific taxa dominating at different stages, underscoring the diversity and complexity of microbial functions in ecosystems. Microbial decomposition is essential for the functioning of ecosystems as it drives biogeochemical cycles, particularly carbon and nitrogen cycles. By breaking down organic matter, microbes release nutrients back into the soil, providing necessary support for plant uptake and promoting primary production. Additionally, this process helps maintain soil structure and fertility, influencing plant community dynamics and overall ecosystem productivity. Microbial decomposition also plays a role in regulating climate change by influencing greenhouse gas emissions, although under certain conditions, the decomposition of large amounts of organic matter can also lead to increased CO2 emissions. Future research should focus on several key areas to further our understanding of microbial decomposition and its impact on ecosystem health. Long-term studies are crucial for revealing the temporal dynamics of microbial communities and their functional roles throughout the decomposition process. Expanding research to include a wider range of ecosystems, such as tropical forests and arid regions, will provide a more comprehensive understanding of microbial decomposition across different environmental contexts. Investigating the interactions between different microbial taxa, as well as between microbes and other decomposers, can reveal synergistic effects in decomposition processes, enriching our knowledge. As climate change intensifies, assessing its impact
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