Microbial respiration and substrate weight loss—I: A general model of the influences of abiotic variables

Abstract

A general model of the influences of abiotic variables on microbial respiration and substrate weight loss is presented. The model, a complex hypothesis relating microbial respiration to temperature. moisture, O 2 and substrate, “explains” 71–96% of the variation in aerobic respiration rates measured from a variety of natural substrates. The model can project seasonal patterns of weight loss and thus permits evaluation of laboratory respirometry against field measures using litter bags. Using data from several countries simulated losses due to microbial respiration are 70–90% of the measured litter bag loss.