Fig. 1.
Flow diagram of the plant–microbe–soil feedback model. Flows from the inorganic nutrient pool (N) to the plant compartments (PL and PN) represent primary production processes. Flows from the plant compartments to the two litter compartments (DR and DS) represent litter production. Flows from the litter compartments to the microbial biomasses (MR and MS) represent decomposition (gross mineralization) and subsequent microbial immobilization (microbial growth) processes. Flows from the litter compartments to the inorganic nutrient pool represent direct mineralization. Flows from the microbial biomass to the inorganic nutrient pool represent net mineralization through nutrient release from microbial biomass due to predation.