When plants or parts of them die, billions of small creatures help to break down the organic material. Next to microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi, also some soil-living invertebrates seem to be ...

Following studies that showed negative effects of species loss on ecosystem functioning, newer studies have started to investigate if similar consequences could result from reductions of genetic ...

Some gardeners have asked if composting garden, yard and food waste is sustainable or beneficial to the environment since the composting process generates lots of carbon dioxide, the principal ...

CORVALLIS, Ore. -- The pattern of nitrogen release from decaying plant material is remarkably similar and predictable across the planet, researchers have concluded in a new study, which should make it ...