Microbiology in Biogeochemical Models

Further, although biomass was a frequent pool in these models, its treatment was often indistinguishable from active forms of SOM. One might consider inclusion of soil biomass in this way to be tokenism. 

To restrict microbial biomass to a measurable SOM component, however, renders models nonmechanistic and removes the possibility that a model might simulate changes in SOM dynamics as a result of changes in activity or characteristics of soil organisms. 

This raises the question is there a need to become more mechanistic about the role of microorganisms in biogeochemical models If so, what aspects of microbial processes and community dynamics should be considered for more focused study In the remainder of this chapter I would like to consider these questions. 

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