Plant canopy effects on litter accumulation and soil microbial biomass in two temperate forests

The objective of this study was to determine whether differences in canopy structure and litter composition affect soil characteristics and microbial activity in oak versus mixed fir-beech stands. Mean litter biomass was greater in mixed fir-beech stands (51.9t ha⁻¹) compared to oak stands (15.7t ha⁻¹). Canopy leaf area was also significantly larger in mixed stands (1.96m² m⁻²) than in oak stands (1.73m² m⁻²). Soil organic carbon (C _org) and moisture were greater in mixed fir-beech stands, probably as a result of increased cover. Soil microbial biomass carbon (C _mic), nitrogen (N _mic), and total soil nitrogen (N _tot) increased slightly in the mixed stand, although this difference was not significant. Overall, mixed stands showed a higher mean C _org/N _tot ratio (22.73) compared to oak stands (16.39), indicating relatively low rate of carbon mineralization. In addition, the percentage of organic C present as C _mic in the surface soil decreased from 3.17% in the oak stand to 2.26% in the mixed stand, suggesting that fir-beech litter may be less suitable as a microbial substrate than oak litter.     

The effect of different tree species on the chemical and microbial properties of reclaimed mine soils

The chemical and microbial properties of afforested mine soils are likely to depend on the species composition of the introduced vegetation. This study compared the chemical and microbial properties of organic horizons and the uppermost mineral layers in mine soils under pure pine (Pinus sylvestris), birch (Betula pendula), larch (Larix decidua), alder (Alnus glutinosa), and mixed pine–alder and birch–alder forest stands. The studied properties included soil pH, content of organic C (C_org) and total N (N_t), microbial biomass (C_mic), basal respiration, nitrogen mineralization rate (Min-N), and the activities of dehydrogenase, acid phosphomonoesterase, and urease. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR) was used to detect differences in the chemical composition of soil organic matter under the studied forest stands. There were significant differences in C_org and N_t contents between stands in both O and mineral soil horizons and also in the chemical composition of the accumulated organic matter, as indicated by NIR spectra differences. Alder was associated with the largest C_org and N_t accumulation but also with a significant decrease of pH in the mineral soil. Microbial biomass, respiration, the percentage of C_org present as C_mic, Min-N, and dehydrogenase activity were the highest under the birch stand, indicating a positive effect of birch on soil microflora. Admixture of alder to coniferous stand increased basal respiration, Min-N, and activities of dehydrogenase and acid phosphomonoesterase as compared with the pure pine stand. In the O horizon, soil pH and N_t content had the most important effects on all microbial properties. In this horizon, the activities of urease and acid phosphomonoesterase did not depend on microbial biomass. In the mineral layer, however, the amount of accumulated C and microbial biomass were of primary importance for the enzyme activities.     

Effect of forest and soil type on microbial biomass carbon and respiration

The aim of study was to evaluate the variation of soil microbial biomass carbon (C_mic) and microbial respiration (M_R) in three types soil (Chromic Cambisols, Chromic Luvisols and Eutric Leptosols) of mixed beech forest (Beech- Hornbeam and Beech- Maple). Soil was randomly sampled from 0–10 cm layer (plant litter removed), 90 soil samples were taken. C_mic determined by the fumigation-extraction method and M_R by closed bottle method. Soil C_org, N_tot and pH were measured. There are significant differences between the soil types concerning the C_mic content and M_R. These parameters were highest in Chromic Cambisols following Chromic Luvisols, while the lowest were in Eutric Leptosols. A similar trend of C_org and N_tot was observed in studied soils. Two-way ANOVA indicated that soil type and forest type have significantly effect on the most soil characteristics. Chromic Cambisols shows a productive soil due to have the maximum C_mic, M_R, C_org and N_tot. In Cambisols under Beech- Maple forest the C_mic value and soil C/N ratio were higher compared to Beech-Hornbeam (19.5 and 4.1 mg C g^–1, and 16.3 and 3.3, respectively). This fact might be indicated that Maple litter had more easy decomposable organic compounds than Hornbeam. According to regression analysis, 89 and 68 percentage of C_mic variability could explain by soil C_org and N_tot respectively.     

Feeding preferences of native terrestrial isopod species (Oniscoidea,Isopoda) for native and introduced leaf litter

Due to current predictions for Central Europe that forecast higher frequencies of hot and dry summers, Mediterranean drought-tolerant oak species are being evaluated as future forest trees for German forest sites that are becoming increasingly damaged by water deficit. As a result of planting foreign tree species, the leaf litter composition and thus the food resources of native saprophagous macroarthropods will change, possibly altering primary decomposition processes. Therefore, experiments concerning the acceptance and palatability of introduced versus native litter for native isopods were undertaken. Consumption rates of four native isopod species (Porcellio scaber, Oniscus asellus, Trachelipus rathkii, Trachelipus ratzeburgii) were investigated in laboratory choice tests with introduced (Quercus pubescens, Quercus frainetto, Quercus ilex) and comparable native (Fagus sylvatica, Quercus robur) leaf litter. Litter was characterized by measurement of C/N-ratios and lignin content. Although species-specific preferences of isopods could be observed in the experiments, Mediterranean oak litter was consumed by all investigated species. Furthermore, two isopod species even preferred the leaf litter of the introduced Q. ilex. Compared to native beech or oak litter, litter from these introduced tree species thus apparently do not negatively influence the consumption rates of terrestrial isopods. Possible reasons for the determined preferences are discussed.     

Successional changes in microbial biomass,respiration and nutrient status during litter decomposition in an aspen and pine forest

Microbial biomass, microbial respiration, metabolic quotient (qCO₂), C_mic/C_org ratio and nutrient status of the microflora was investigated in different layers of an aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) and pine forest (Pinus contorta Loud.) in southwest Alberta, Canada. Changes in these parameters with soil depth were assumed to reflect successional changes in aging litter materials. The microbial nutrient status was investigated by analysing the respiratory response of glucose and nutrient (N and P) supplemented microorganisms. A strong decline in qCO₂ with soil depth indicated a more efficient C use by microorganisms in later stages of decay in both forests. C_mic/C_org ratio also declined in the aspen forest with soil depth but in the pine forest it was at a maximum in the mineral soil layer. Microbial nutrient status in aspen leaf litter and pine needle litter indicated N limitation or high N demand, but changes in microbial nutrient status with soil depth differed strongly between both forests. In the aspen forest N deficiency appeared to decline in later stages of decay whereas P deficiency increased. In contrast, in the pine forest microbial growth was restricted mainly by N availability in each of the layers. Analysis of the respiratory response of CNP-supplemented microorganisms indicated that growth ability of microorganisms is related to the fungal-bacterial ratio.     

SOIL MICROBIAL BIOMASS AND NITROGEN MINERALIZATION RATES ALONG AN ALTITUDINAL GRADIENT ON THE COFRE DE PEROTE VOLCANO (MEXICO): THE IMPORTANCE OF LANDSCAPE POSITION AND LAND USE

A study was conducted to examine the responses of microbial activity and nitrogen (N) transformations along an altitudinal gradient. The gradient was divided into three parts. Three areas were sampled: upper part (UP): coniferous forest, corn field, and abandoned corn field; middle part (MP): tropical cloud forest, grassland, and corn field (COL); and lower part (LP): tropical deciduous forest and sugarcane. The results showed that soil microbial biomass carbon (C) and basal respiration were significantly higher in MP and UP than in LP, whereas the microbial quotient (C_mic/C_org) was higher in LP and MP than in UP. The metabolic quotient (qCO₂) was similar among gradient parts evaluated. Net N mineralization, ammonification, and nitrification rates were higher in UP than MP and LP. We found that in UP, the forest conversion to cropland resulted in no significant differences in microbial activity and N transformation rates between land uses. In MP, microbial biomass C, ammonification, and net N mineralization rates decreased significantly with conversion to cropland, but C_mic/C_org and nitrification were higher in COL. Basal respiration and qCO₂ were significantly lower in COL when compared with other land uses. In LP, lower microbial biomass C, C_mic/C_org, and nitrification rates but higher ammonification and net N mineralization rates were observed in tropical deciduous forest than in sugarcane. No significant differences in basal respiration and qCO₂ were found between uses of LP. Clearly, then, soil organic C is not equally accessible to the microbial community along the gradient studied. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Major mechanisms contributing to the macrofauna-mediated slow down of litter decomposition

To understand why excrements of soil macrofauna often decompose more slowly than leaf litter, we fed Bibio marci larvae the litter of tree species differing in litter quality (Alnus glutinosa, Salix caprea, and Quercus robur) and then measured respiration induced by litter and excrements. We also measured respiration induced by the same litter artificially modified to mimic faunal effects; the litter was modified by grinding, grinding with alkalinization to pH = 11, grinding with coating by kaolinite, and grinding with both alkalinization and coating. Decomposition of excrements tended to be slower for willow and was significantly slower for oak and alder than for the corresponding litter. With oak, decomposition was slower for all artificially modified litter than for non-modified litter. The reduction in the decomposition was similar for excrements and for alder and willow litter that was ground, coated, and alkalinized. In alder, a similar reduction was found in ground and alkalinized litter. ¹³C NMR indicated that gut passage increases aliphatic components and decreases polysaccharides. Pyrolysis indicated that gut passage increases the ratio of guaiacyl to hydroxymethyl derivatives in lignin. Our findings indicate that the decreased decomposition rate of excrements might result from the removal of easily available polysaccharides, the increase in aliphatic components, an increase in the resistant components of lignin, the accumulation of microbial cell walls, and the binding of nitrogen into complexes with aromatic components. Several of these mechanisms are supported or determined by litter alkalinization during gut passage.     

Specific features of the ecological functioning of urban soils in Moscow and Moscow oblast

Urban soils (constructozems) were studied in Moscow and several cities (Dubna, Pushchino, and Serebryanye Prudy) of Moscow oblast. The soil sampling from the upper 10-cm-thick layer was performed in the industrial, residential, and recreational functional zones of these cities. The biological (the carbon of the microbial biomass carbon, C_mic and the microbial (basal) respiration, BR) and chemical (pH_water and the contents of C_org, heavy metals, and NPK) indices were determined in the samples. The ratios of BR to C_mic (the microbial respiration quotient, qCO₂) and of C_mic to C_org were calculated. The C_mic varied from 120 to 738 μg C/g soil; the BR, from 0.39 to 1.94 μg CO₂-C/g soil per hour; the C_org, from 2.52 to 5.67%; the qCO₂, from 1.24 to 5.28 μg CO₂-C/mg C_mic/g soil per h; and the C_mic/C_org, from 0.40 to 1.55%. Reliable positive correlations were found between the C_mic and BR, the C_mic and C_mic/C_org, and the C_mic and C_org values (r = 0.75, 0.95, and 0.61, respectively), as well as between the BR and C_mic/C_org values (r = 0.68). The correlation between the C_mic/C_org and qCO₂ values was negative (r = −0.70). The values of C_mic, BR, C_org, and C_mic/C_org were found to correlate with the ammonium nitrogen content. No correlative relationships were revealed between the determined indices and the climatic characteristics. The principal component analysis described 86% of the variances for all the experimental data and clearly subdivided the locations of the studied soil objects. The ANOVA showed that the variances of C_mic, C_org, and BR are controlled by the site location factor by 66, 63, and 35%, respectively. The specificity of the functioning of the anthropogenic soils as compared with their natural analogues was clearly demonstrated. As shown in this study, measurable biological indices might be applied to characterize the ecological, environmental-regulating, and productive functions of soils, including urban soils.     

Coarse woody debris,soil properties and snails (Mollusca: Gastropoda) in European primeval forests of different environmental conditions

We studied the snail fauna of four primeval forests of Central Slovakia and focused on the influence of forest type and coarse woody debris (CWD) on species assemblages. We found a total of 3281 individuals from 39 species. Species assemblages differed between the forests. In SW-facing oak forests, CWD enhanced the proportion of forest species such as the wood-grazing Cochlodina laminata and decreased the proportion of euryecious species like the litter-dwelling Punctum pygmaeum. In NE-facing beech forests, hygrophilous species such as Carychium tridentatum dominated the assemblages. This litter-dwelling snail was especially abundant close to CWD. The NE-facing beech forests harbored more species and individuals than the SW-facing oak forests did. CWD enhanced snail abundance, species richness and biodiversity, irrespective of forest type. We found positive correlations for abundance and species richness to the amount of leaf litter, C_org, N_tot, Ca²⁺, and K⁺; snail abundance was also positively correlated to soil pH. All these soil chemical factors were higher close to CWD than distant from CWD.     

Microbial respiration activities of soils from different climatic regions of European Russia

The aim of this study was to survey and evaluate the microbial respiration of main soil types (gleyic Cryosols, umbric Albeluvisols, albic Luvisols, luvic Chernozems, Kastanozems) across European Russia, from semiarid to polar climatic zones. Soil was sampled from 0–5 and 5–10 cm layers at natural (forest, grassland, fallow) and corresponding sites under agricultural land use. Soil microbial biomass carbon (C_mic) determined by the substrate-induced respiration method and basal respiration (BR) were measured under standardized laboratory conditions (22 °C, 60% WHC). The ratios of BR/C_mic and C_mic/C_org were also calculated. C_mic and BR were highest in polar (gleyic Cryosols) and temperate (albic Luvisols, luvic Chernozems) climatic zones, the lowest were in boreal (umbric Luvisols) and semiarid (Kastanozems). C_mic, BR and C_mic/C_org ratios were higher in 0–5 cm layers compared to the corresponding 5–10 cm and in natural sites versus in arable. Principal component analysis yielded a clear separation of the vegetation zones with respect to the several principal components (PC). PC 1 was composed of C_mic, BR, soil chemical (C_org, N_tot) and texture parameters. PC 2 was composed of climatic (MAT, MAP) and soil pH variables. Three-way ANOVA indicated that “soil type”, “ecosystem” and “layer” factors, and their interactions accounted for almost 98 and 99% of the total variance in C_mic and BR, respectively.     

Soil microbial biomass and activity: the effect of site characteristics in humid temperate forest ecosystems

Microbial biomass, respiratory activity, and in‐situ substrate decomposition were studied in soils from humid temperate forest ecosystems in SW Germany. The sites cover a wide range of abiotic soil and climatic properties. Microbial biomass and respiration were related to both soil dry mass in individual horizons and to the soil volume in the top 25 cm. Soil microbial properties covered the following ranges: soil microbial biomass: 20 µg C g^–1–8.3 mg C g^–1 and 14–249 g C m^–2, respectively; microbial C–to–total organic C ratio: 0.1%–3.6%; soil respiration: 109–963 mg CO₂‐C m^–2 h^–1; metabolic quotient (qCO₂): 1.4–14.7 mg C (g C_mic)^–1 h^–1; daily in‐situ substrate decomposition rate: 0.17%–2.3%. The main abiotic properties affecting concentrations of microbial biomass differed between forest‐floor/organic horizons and mineral horizons. Whereas microbial biomass decreased with increasing soil moisture and altitude in the forest‐floor/organic horizons, it increased with increasing N_tot content and pH value in the mineral horizons. Quantities of microbial biomass in forest soils appear to be mainly controlled by the quality of the soil organic matter (SOM), i.e., by its C : N ratio, the quantity of N_tot, the soil pH, and also showed an optimum relationship with increasing soil moisture conditions. The ratio of C_mic to C_org was a good indicator of SOM quality. The quality of the SOM (C : N ratio) and soil pH appear to be crucial for the incorporation of C into microbial tissue. The data and functional relations between microbial and abiotic variables from this study provide the basis for a valuation scheme for the function of soils to serve as a habitat for microorganisms.     

Microbial C,N, and P relationships in moisture‐stressed soils of Potohar,Pakistan

In 11 rain‐fed arable soils of the Potohar plateau, Pakistan, the amounts of microbial‐biomass C (C_mic), biomass N (N_mic), and biomass P (P_mic) were analyzed in relation to the element‐specific total storage compartment, i.e., soil C_org, N_t, and P_t. The effects of climatic conditions and soil physico‐chemical properties on these relationships were highlighted with special respect to crop yield levels. Average contents of soil C_org, N_t, and P_t were 3.9, 0.32, and 0.61 mg (g soil)^–1, respectively. Less than 1% of P_t was extractable with 0.5 M NaHCO₃. Mean contents of C_mic, N_mic, and P_mic were 118.4, 12.0, and 3.9 µg (g soil)^–1. Values of C_mic, N_mic, P_mic, soil C_org, and N_t were all highly significantly interrelated. The mean crop yield level was closely connected with all soil organic matter– and microbial biomass–related properties, but showed also some influence by the amount of precipitation from September to June. Also the fraction of NaHCO₃‐extractable P was closely related to soil organic matter, soil microbial biomass, and crop yield level. This reveals the overwhelming importance of biological processes for P turnover in alkaline soils.     

Spatial variability in the carbon of microbial biomass and microbial respiration in soils of the south of Moscow oblast

Soil samples from the upper 10-cm-thick layer of the humus horizon (without forest litter) were taken in Podol’sk and Serpukhov districts (1130 and 1080 km², respectively) of Moscow oblast. At each sampling site, ecosystem (forest, plowland, or fallow), soil (soddy-podzolic, soddy-gley, bog-podzolic, meadow alluvial, gray forest, and anthropogenically transformed soils of lawns and industrial zones), predominant vegetation, and topography (floodplain and low, medium, and upper parts of watersheds) were determined. The carbon content of the microbial biomass (C_mic) was determined by the method of substrate-induced respiration; we also determined the rate of basal (microbial) respiration (BR) and the organic carbon content, pH, and particle-size distribution. Overall, 237 samples from Serpukhov district and 45 samples from Podol’sk district were analyzed. The BR/C_mic ratios (respiration quotient qCO₂) and C_mic/C_org ratios were calculated. The C_mic content in the soils ranged from 43 to 1394 μg C/kg; the BR varied from 0.06 to 25 μg CO₂-C/g per h, qCO₂, from 0.34 to 6.52 μg CO₂-C/mg C_mic per h; and the C_mic/C_org ratio, from 0.19 to 10.65%. It was found that the most significant factors affecting the variability of the C_mic and BR are the parameters of ecosystem (50% and 80%, respectively) and soil (30% and 9%, respectively). The most significant variability of these indices was found in forest soils; it was mainly controlled by the soil texture (33 and 23%) and the C_org content (19 and 24%). The C_mic parameter made it possible to differentiate the soils of the territory for the purposes of their evaluation, monitoring, and biological assessment more clearly than the BR value and the soil chemical characteristics.     

Leaf litter-colonizing microbiota: supplementary food source or indicator of food quality for Porcellio scaber (Isopoda: Oniscidea)?

Different explanations have been proposed for why terrestrial isopods prefer, and gain from, feeding on microbially inoculated food materials. In the present study, no-choice feeding experiments are used to test three contrasting, but not mutually exclusive, hypotheses. (1) The digestion and nutritional utilization of microbial cells enhance the nutritive value of leaf litter; (2) extracellular digestive enzymes of microbial origin promote digestion of leaf litter; (3) leaf litter-colonizing microbiota serve as indicators for easily digestible leaf litter of high nutritive value. Predictions derived from these hypotheses are compared with the results of a study with experimentally manipulated leaf litter, serving as food sources for the common woodlouse Porcellio scaber. Leaf litter-colonizing microbiota increased consumption of leaf litter by isopods and contributed somewhat to biomass gain of isopods, but not to the assimilation of ingested food. Thus, the present results coincide with predictions derived from hypothesis (3) suggesting that leaf litter-colonizing microbiota stimulate consumption by indicating high food quality. Their positive effects on assimilation and growth, however, are context-specific, being stronger in case of high-quality food than in case of low-quality food.     

Soil microbial biomass C and N along a climatic transect in the Mongolian steppe

The relationships of soil microbial biomass C (C_mic) or N (N_mic) with mean annual precipitation and temperature were studied along a climatic transect in the Mongolian steppe. Soil organic C (C_org) and total N (N_t), respiration rate, C_mic and N_mic at depths of 0–5 and 5–10 cm decreased with increasing aridity. The contents of C_org and N_t in the 0- to 5-cm soil layers decreased linearly with precipitation reduction along the transect. C_mic and N_mic changes with precipitation were not linear, with higher changes between 330 and 128 mm mean annual precipitation. C_mic/C_org and N_mic/N_t increased with increasing aridity. The metabolic quotient qCO₂ of 0- to 5-cm soil layers was low between 330 and 273 mm precipitation. The relationship between the qCO₂ of the 0- to 5-cm soil layers and the mean annual precipitation was well fitted with a quadratic function y =0.0006x² –0.40x +86.0, where y is the qCO₂ (µmol CO₂-C mmol^–1 C_mic) and x is the mean annual precipitation (mm). C_org, N_t, C_mic, N_mic and respiration rate decreased exponentially with increasing mean annual temperature in both the 0- to 5- and 5- to 10-cm soil layers, and change rate was lower when the mean annual temperature was higher than 2.6°C. The close relationships of the mean annual precipitation or temperature with soil C_org, N_t, C_mic, N_mic, C_mic/C_org and qCO₂ indicate that each parameter can be calculated by determining the other parameters in this specific climatic range.     

Maßstabsabhängige räumliche Variabilität mikrobieller Bodenkenngrößen in einem Buchenwald

Scale-dependent spatial variability of microbiological characteristics in soil of a beech forest The spatial variability of the microbial biomass content (C_mic), the microbial respiration rate (basal respiration) and the metabolic quotient (qCO₂) was analyzed in sandy Cambisols and Luvisols in a beech forest in Northern Germany. Highest variability of microbiological features and, thus, the distance of independent samples was around 10 m that is discussed with reference to spatial hierarchy. Structural changes between the 10 m and 50 m grid were suggested for the Ah horizon due to the break of correlations of C_mic content and the contents of C_org and plant-available Ca, Mg, K and N_t. The C_mic content correlated with the C_org content close to tree trunks and ecotones like borders of the forest and clearings. The qCO₂ did not generally increase with declining pH value. High H⁺ concentrations and C_org content in the litter layer near to the tree trunk indicated retarded microbial mineralization rates. High proportion of microorganisms that are resistant to low pH value and adjusted ro readily-degradable substrates seems to dominate in the soil close to the tree.     

Microbial biomass carbon in the profiles of forest soils of the southern taiga zone

In the mineral horizons of the soils under different southern taiga forests (oak, archangel spruce, and aspen in the Kaluzhskie Zaseki Reserve of Kaluga region and the green moss spruce and spruce-broadleaved forests of the Zvenigorod Biological Station of Moscow State University in Moscow region), the carbon content in the microbial biomass (C_mic), the rate of the basal respiration (BR), and the specific microbial respiration (qCO₂= BR/C_mic) were determined. The C_mic content was measured using the method of substrate-induced respiration (SIR). In the upper humus horizons of the soils, the C_mic content amounted to 762–2545 μg/g and the BR ranged from 1.59 to 7.55 μg CO₂-C/g per h. The values of these parameters essentially decreased down the soil profiles. The portion of C_mic in the organic carbon of the humus horizons of the forest soils was 4.4 to 13.2%. The qCO₂values increased with the depth in the soils of the Biological Station and did not change in the soils of the Reserve. The pool of C_mic and C_org and the microbial production of CO₂ (BR) within the forest soil profiles are presented.     

Near-infrared spectroscopy for analysis of chemical and microbiological properties of forest soil organic horizons in a heavy-metal-polluted area

In industrial areas, heavy metals may accumulate in forest soil organic horizons, affecting soil microorganisms and causing changes in the chemical composition of the accumulated organic matter. The objectives of this study were to test the ability of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to detect heavy metal effects on the chemical composition of forest soil O horizons and to test whether NIRS may be used to quantitatively determine total and exchangeable concentrations of Zn and Pb (Zn_t, Pb_t, Zn_ex, Pb_ex) and other chemical and microbial properties in forest soil O horizons polluted with heavy metals. The samples of O horizons (n = 79) were analyzed for organic C (C_org), total N and S (N_t, S_t), Zn_t, Pb_t, Zn_ex, Pb_ex, basal respiration (BR), microbial biomass (C_mic) and C_mic-to-C_org ratio. Spectra of the samples were recorded in the Vis-NIR range (400–2,500 nm). To detect heavy-metal-induced changes in the chemical composition of O horizons principal components (PC1–PC7) based on the spectral data were regressed against Zn_t + Pb_t values. A modified partial least squares method was used to develop calibration models for prediction of various chemical and microbial properties of the samples from their spectra. Regression analysis revealed a significant relationship between PC3 and PC5 (r = −0.27 and −0.34, respectively) and Zn_t + Pb_t values, indicating an effect of heavy metal pollution on the spectral properties of the O horizons and thus on their chemical composition. For quantitative estimations, the best calibration model was obtained for C_org-to-N_t ratio (r = 0.98). The models for C_org, N_t, and microbial properties were satisfactory but less accurate. NIRS failed to accurately predict S_t, C_org-to-S_t, Zn_t, Pb_t, Zn_ex, and Pb_ex.     

The influence of slug (Arion rufus) mucus and cast material addition on microbial biomass,respiration, and nutrient cycling in beech leaf litter

We investigated the effects of slug (Arion rufus L.) mucus and cast material on litter decomposition, nutrient mobilization, and microbial activity in two laboratory experiments: (1) Slug mucus and cast material was added to beech leaf litter (Fagus sylvatica L.), and leaching of N and P and CO₂ production in microcosm systems were measured during 77 days of incubation; (2) mucus was added to beech leaf litter, and basal respiration, microbial biomass (substrate-induced respiration), specific respiration (qO₂), microbial growth ability after C, CN, CP, and CNP amendment, and lag time (time between CNP addition and start of exponential increase in respiration rate) were measured during 120 days of incubation. Leaching of N and P from beech leaf litter was significantly increased in treatments with mucus or faecal material of A. rufus. Following day 3, slug mucus increased nitrification processes. Mucus addition to beech leaf litter also increased basal respiration and microbial biomass significantly. In contrast, specific respiration was not significantly affected by mucus addition, and generally declined until day 60 but then increased until day 120. Nutrient amendments indicated that between days 1 and 30, N was available for microbial growth in litter with mucus but not in control litter. Generally, the lag time in beech leaf litter with added mucus was shorter than in control litter. Lag times generally increased with age, indicating dominance of slow-growing microbial populations at later stages as a consequence of depletion of easily available C resources and nutrients. We conclude that C, N, and P cycling is accelerated by slug activity.     

Microbial activity and leaching during initial oak leaf litter decomposition

The decomposition of oak leaf litter was studied by means of a litterbag experiment in an oak forest in the Netherlands. The contribution of microbial activity and leaching to weight loss and element dynamics during the first 6 weeks of decomposition was investigated by means of frequent respiration measurements and extractions of the litter and by a qualitative comparison of throughfall and litter percolation water chemistry. The oak-leaf litter lost 9.3% of its initial dry weight during the first 6 weeks. In total, 90% of this observed weight loss was explained by the processes studied. About 5.9% (64% of the total) of this weight loss was attributed to microbial tespiration and 0.5% (5%) to the loss of inorganic solutes. Leaching of dissolved organic compounds was estimated to account for 2.0% (21%). The results indicated a fast leaching of K and Cl out of the fresh litter during the first 2 weeks, while Mg, Fe, Mn, Si, ortho P, and dissolved organic N were released at a much lower rate. At the same time, small amounts of H⁺, NH _inf4 ^sup+ and NO _inf3 ^sup- were retained in the litter.