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American Zoologist 1973 13(1):193-201; doi:10.1093/icb/13.1.193
© 1973 by The Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology
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The Relationship between Protozoan Populations and Biological Activity in Soils

JOHN D. STOUT
Soil Bureau, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research Lower Hutt, New Zealand

The protozoan populations of soil, both free-living and parasitic, are discussed in relation to their size, distribution, biomass, and metabolic activity. Flagellates, small amoebae, and ciliates are the most widespread and active of free-living forms, while the distribution of parasites is related to the distribution of their hosts. The theory of partial sterilization, which first related protozoan populations to soil fertility, is discussed within the broader context of the soil organic cycle. The role of freeliving protozoa as micropredators and the importance of the soil biomass, as well as fresh plant debris, as a substrate for microbial activity are emphasized. The nature and activity of the microbial population are related to plant productivity and the size of the soil animal biomass. It is suggested that comparatively small changes in population and biomass may be associated with greatly accelerated metabolic turnover wheremicropredation takes place. This suggestion is supported by data from microrespirometry experiments.


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