Soil microbial diversity in grasslands and its importance for grassland functioning and services

Abstract

International audienceThis chapter contributes to understanding the role and impact of soil microbe populations and communities, in the light of the new molecular technologies that allow analysis of the diversity of these microbes and their functional role in C and N cycles. It also discusses the importance of soil biodiversity for grassland functioning (species assemblage and species removal) and representation of grassland soil biodiversity in models of grassland functioning and service delivery