Final answer:
The numbers and activity of microbes in benthic communities are substantial as they significantly contribute to ecosystem processes such as nutrient cycling and gas production/consumption. Microbial assemblages adapt to extreme environments and show immense diversity, impacting soil fertility and supporting other life forms.
Step-by-step explanation:
The microbial numbers and activity in benthic communities can vary greatly, but they play an essential role in ecosystem processes. In benthic environments, such as deep subseafloor sediments or lake beds, microbial communities contribute to nutrient cycling, organic matter decomposition, and the production and consumption of gases like methane.
The work by D'Hondt et al. (2004) illuminates that microbial assemblages are present even in extreme environments, at considerable depths below the seafloor, and exhibit specialized metabolic capacities.
Moreover, the presence of biofilms in soil ecosystems containing vast numbers of microorganisms, as highlighted by other studies, indicates that benthic microbial activity is fundamental to maintaining soil fertility and supporting higher trophic levels.
Bacterial populations use substances released by plant roots or decompose organic matter, providing vital nutrients to other organisms. The study of microbial activity in benthic zones is crucial for understanding environmental dynamics, including the control of greenhouse gas emissions, such as those from rice fields, and the maintenance of natural populations like those of mussels and phytoplankton.