Soil fauna in arid ecosystems: their role and functions in organic matter cycling

Soil biota activity, which utilizes the organic matter for biosynthesis and maintenance at different levels of organization, has a considerable effect on arid regions. This activity is strongly affected by abiotic factors which are highly unstable in a desert ecosystem. In this erratic environment where primary production (organic matter) is rapidly lost, soil biota activity, which serves as distributors of organic matter, decomposers, nutrient suppliers and soil stabilizers, is of great importance. -from Author