Figure 1
From: An unexpected role for mixotrophs in the response of peatland carbon cycling to climate warming
Bryophyte-microbial food web system in peatlands.
CO2 fixation within the bryosphere is performed by Sphagnum moss, photosynthetic protists and mixotrophic protists, as well as cyanobacteria. Mixotrophic protists and heterotrophic protists are involved in numerous trophic interactions influencing the decomposition of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) by bacteria and fungi and the transfer of energy and nutrients among the various components of the microbial food web. These interactions contribute to the control of the bryosphere C balance. The representation is strongly simplified as it does not show all of the potential trophic relations with microfauna and ignoring a number of other roles of protist communities. Adapted from7,17,49.
