◆Research findings by a group led by Assistant Professor Mikiji Tomita of the Department of Agricultural Sciences in the Faculty of Natural Sciences have been published in *Trends in Ecology and Evolution*
Release Date:
Proposing a framework for the impact of vertebrates on soil organisms
: Toward a Comprehensive Understanding of Interactions Between Terrestrial and Subterranean Organisms
A research group led by Assistant Professor Mikiji Tomita of the Department of Agricultural Sciences in the Faculty of Natural Sciences has categorized the effects of vertebrates on soil biological communities into five mechanisms and, based on this, proposed how vertebrates influence the spatial structure of soil biological communities. Clarifying the role of vertebrates in interactions between aboveground and belowground organisms is expected to contribute to our understanding of the ecosystem functions of vertebrates.
Until now, interactions between above-ground and below-ground organisms have been considered separately; however, in recent years, research has focused on the connections between them. Vertebrates active above ground influence below-ground communities (Note 1) by preying on soil animals or digging up the soil, yet no comprehensive framework for understanding these processes had existed.This study demonstrates that vertebrates can alter the spatial structure and distribution of soil communities, potentially affecting ecosystem functions.
These research findings were published online on January 14, 2025, in the international academic journal *Trends in Ecology and Evolution*.
*1. Soil-dwelling communities: A general term for organisms that depend partially or entirely on soil-derived food resources and habitats. This includes soil microorganisms and soil animals.
[Paper Information]
Title: The Underappreciated Roles of Aboveground Vertebrates in Belowground Communities
Journal: Trends in Ecology and Evolution
Publication Date: January 14, 2025