The soil microbiome (bacteria and fungi) are key determinants of the global carbon cycle, with abiotic factors known to affect microbial decomposition. Here we show that also predation by protists profoundly INCREASES microbial decomposition, a recently unknown process that warrants attention!

Soil organisms, particularly members of the soil microbiome, regulate plant performance and control plant communities. In our study, we show that the microbiome complexity increases from early successional to climax vegetation. We also found an enrichment of animal parasites and plant pathogens in early successional compared to later successional vegetation. Together, our results suggest that soil organisms, particularly plant pathogens, facilitate plant succession, while the most complex microbiomes keep plant communities in climax vegetation stable. Therefore, our results point at the importance of soil microorganisms for plant vegetation dynamics and stability.