Altitude-related changes in the mesofauna structure in soils of the Ethiopian plateau

Ecological-faunistic investigations of the mesofauna were carried out in mountain soils of Ethiopia for the first time. A comparative assessment of the group composition and the structural parameters of soil invertebrate communities was accomplished in a series of mountain habitats on the slopes of an extinct volcano in the altitude range of 1800 to 3200 m a.s.l. Some regularities of the altitudinal changes in the abundance of invertebrates were found: a maximum in a forest on the volcano slope, a trend of reducing their number and mass with altitude, and the minimal abundance of invertebrates in the soils under the forest and on the slope of the volcano crater. In contrast to the mountain systems of southern Europe and Asia, the animal population on the Ethiopian Plateau in the lower positions of the mountain catena was dominated by the forms dwelling on the soil surface; in the forest belt and high mountains, the inhabitants of mineral horizons prevailed. Specific features of the functional structure of the animal population in the soil under the crater forest are its relations to open habitats. At the same time, the absence of faunistic exchange with the adjacent ecosystem of the alpine meadow allows suggesting that the soil animal communities in the crater and on the external volcano slopes were formed independently from one another.     

Surface activity of soil ecosystem engineers and soil structure in contrasted land use systems of Colombia

This study describes the impact of the conversion of native Colombian savannahs into crops and pastures on: (1) the quantity and diversity of the bio-structures produced by soil ecosystem engineers and (2) soil structure. Bio-structure diversity decreased in all agroecosystems (12 types in the savannah, four to six in pastures and three in crops). Bio-structures were mostly earthworm casts in native savannah and pastures, and ant mounds in crops. Compared with the savannah (750 cm³ m^–2), their volume increased in the old pasture (+48%) and decreased in recent pasture and crops (–65% to –97%). Soil structure was similar to savannah soil in the older pasture, but was sharply affected in annual crops. In contrast to crops, pastures appear to sustain soil structure and are also suitable for engineering activity.     

Soil development along an altitudinal transect in a Bolivian tropical montane rainforest: Podzolization vs. hydromorphy

Knowledge about soil formation in tropical montane rainforests is scarce and patchy. We examined the altitudinal change of soils in a Bolivian tropical montane rainforest, aiming to illuminate the contribution of podzolization and hydromorphic processes to soil formation. In three transects from 1700 m to 3400 m a.s.l. we determined the pH, exchangeable cation exchange capacity, carbon and nitrogen stocks, and iron and aluminium fractions from 26 soil profiles. Three zones of different dominant soil forming processes were found: In the lower montane forest (LMF, 1700–2200 m a.s.l.), Dystropepts with high nutrient concentration and acidity were common. The pronounced change to the upper montane cloud forest (UMCF, 2200–2700 m a.s.l.) coincided with the appearance of Placorthods with more acidic conditions, deep ectorganic horizons and increasing translocation of sesquioxides. In the sub-alpine forest (SCF, 2700 m–3400 m a.s.l.), hydromorphic processes dominated over podzolization, resulting in Placaquods with low mineralization rate and nutrient concentration. This shows that due to increasing wetness and colder temperatures at high altitudes, dominant soil forming processes change from podzolization to hydromorphism soils with increasing altitude.     

Chronic N deposition does not apparently alter the biochemical composition of forest floor and soil organic matter

Future rates of atmospheric N deposition have the potential to slow litter decay and increase the accumulation of soil organic matter by repressing the activity of lignolytic soil microorganisms. We investigated the relationship between soil biochemical characteristics and enzymatic responses in a series of sugar maple (Acer saccharum)-dominated forests that have been subjected to 16 yrs of chronic N deposition (ambient + 3 g NO₃⁻–N m⁻² yr⁻¹), in which litter decay has slowed and soil organic matter has accumulated in sandy spodosols. Cupric-oxide-extractable lignin-derived phenols were quantified to determine the presence, source, and relative oxidation state of lignin-like compounds under ambient and experimental N deposition. Pools of respired C and mineralized N, along with rate constants for these processes, were used to quantify biochemically labile substrate pools during a 16-week laboratory incubation. Extracellular enzymes mediating cellulose and lignin metabolism also were measured under ambient and experimental N deposition, and these values were compared with proxies for the relative oxidation of lignin in forest floor and surface mineral soil. Chronic N deposition had no influence on the pools or rate constants for respired C and mineralized N. Moreover, neither the total amount of extractable lignin (forest floor, P = 0.260; mineral soil, P = 0.479), nor the relative degree of lignin oxidation in the forest floor or mineral soil (forest floor P = 0.680; mineral soil P = 0.934) was influenced by experimental N deposition. Given their biochemical attributes, lignin-derived molecules in forest floor and mineral soil appear to originate from fine roots, rather than leaf litter. Under none of the studied circumstances was the presence or relative oxidation of lignin correlated with the activity of cellulolytic and lignolytic extracellular enzymes. Although chronic atmospheric N deposition has slowed litter decay and increased organic matter in our experiment, it had little effect on biochemical composition of lignin-derived molecules in forest floor and surface mineral soil suggesting organic matter has accumulated by other means. Moreover, the specific dynamics of lignin phenol decay is decoupled from short-term organic matter accumulation under chronic N deposition in this ecosystem.     

Profile carbon and nutrient levels and management effect on soil quality indicators in the Mardi watershed of Nepal

Abstract

Soil organic carbon (SOC) and nutrient stocks in the soil profile (0–80 cm) in four dominant land uses [forest, upland maize and millet (Bari), irrigated rice (Khet), and grazed systems)] and 0–15 cm depth along elevation gradient 1000 to 3000 m, and aspects in the Mardi watershed were measured. Soil properties at 0–15 cm depth were also measured in undisturbed forest, forest with free grazed system, managed forest, and grassland to compare the soil quality index (SQI) of topsoils. The SOC and nutrient concentration decreased with increasing profile depth. The SOC and N contents in the 0–15 cm depth of forest soils were significantly greater than the corresponding depth in upland maize and millet, irrigated rice, and grazed systems. On the other hand, available P and K concentrations at the same depth were significantly greater in upland maize and millet compared to irrigated rice, grazed system, and forest land uses. The SOC and N stocks (0–15 cm) increased from agricultural land at the valley bottom at about 1000 m above mean sea level (a.s.l.) (24 and 3 Mg ha^?1) compared to undisturbed forest (74 and 5.9 Mg ha^?1) at 2600 m a.s.l, demonstrating the effects of cover and elevation. Both SOC and N stocks decreased sharply in grassland (54 and 4.5 Mg ha^?1) at elevations of 2600 to 2800 m a.s.l. compared with undisturbed forest. Above 2800 m a.s.l. the cover type changed from grass to coniferous forest, and the SOC and N stocks steadily increased at the summit level (3200 m a.s.l.) to 65 and 6.9 Mg ha^?1, respectively. Slope and aspect significantly affected SOC with the northwest aspect having significantly higher concentrations (46 g kg^?1) than other aspects. Similarly, SOC concentration at the lowest slope position (39 g kg^?1) was significantly higher than the middle or upper positions (25 and 13 g kg^?1). Integrated soil quality index (SQI) values varied from 0.17 to 0.69 for different land uses, being highest for undisturbed forest and lowest for irrigated rice. The SQI demonstrated the degradation status of land uses in the following ascending order: irrigated rice?>?grazed system?>?forest with free grazing?>?upland maize and millet?>?managed forest?>?grass land?>?undisturbed forest. The irrigated rice, grazed system, upland maize and millet, and freely grazed forestlands need immediate attention to minimize further deterioration of soil quality in these land uses.     

Andepts in some high mountains of East Africa

Soils at elevations of 2,500 m to 4,000 m above sea level in the Semien Mountains of Ethiopia and on Mount Kenya in east Africa are classified in the current American system as Andepts. The Cryandepts are situated above the forest line in a tussock grass vegetation or in dwarf forests at elevations of 3,000 to 3,800 m a.s.l. In the tall forest above 2,500 m a.s.l. and below 3,000 m there are Dystrandepts with an isothermal soil temperature of more than 8°C. In the legend of the FAO-Unesco soil map of the world the soils could be classified as Humic Andosols.Histosols may take the place of the Andepts where relative humidity of the atmosphere is high and rainfall is more than 2,000 mm per year.     

Effect of land-use and elevation on microbial biomass and water extractable carbon in soils of Mt. Kilimanjaro ecosystems

Microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and water-extractable organic carbon (WOC) – as sensitive and important parameters for soil fertility and C turnover – are strongly affected by land-use changes all over the world. These effects are particularly distinct upon conversion of natural to agricultural ecosystems due to very fast carbon (C) and nutrient cycles and high vulnerability, especially in the tropics. The objective of this study was to use the unique advantage of Mt. Kilimanjaro – altitudinal gradient leading to different tropical ecosystems but developed all on the same soil parent material – to investigate the effects of land-use change and elevation on MBC and WOC contents during a transition phase from dry to wet season. Down to a soil depth of 50 cm, we compared MBC and WOC contents of 2 natural (Ocotea and Podocarpus forest), 3 seminatural (lower montane forest, grassland, savannah), 1 sustainably used (homegarden) and 2 intensively used (maize field, coffee plantation) ecosystems on an elevation gradient from 950 to 2850 m a.s.l. Independent of land-use, both MBC and WOC strongly increased with elevation on Mt. Kilimanjaro corresponding to ecosystem productivity and biodiversity. Through the agricultural use of ecosystems MBC and WOC contents decreased – especially in surface layers – on average by 765 mg kg⁻¹ for MBC and 916 mg kg⁻¹ for WOC, compared to the respective natural ecosystems. The decrease with depth was highest for forests > grasslands > agroecosystems and also was positively correlated with elevation. We conclude that MBC and WOC contents in soils of Mt. Kilimanjaro ecosystems are highly sensitive to land-use changes, especially in topsoil. The MBC and WOC contents were considerably reduced even in sustainable agricultural systems. Since MBC and WOC are very fast reacting and sensitive C pools, we expect a decrease in other soil C pools accompanied by a strong decrease in fertility and productivity due to changes in land use from natural to agricultural ecosystems.     

Soil–atmosphere greenhouse gas exchange in a cool,temperate Eucalyptus delegatensis forest in south-eastern Australia

Forests are the largest C sink (vegetation and soil) in the terrestrial biosphere and may additionally provide an important soil methane (CH₄) sink, whilst producing little nitrous oxide (N₂O) when nutrients are tightly cycled. In this study, we determine the magnitude and spatial variation of soil–atmosphere N₂O, CH₄ and CO₂ exchange in a Eucalyptus delegatensis forest in New South Wales, Australia, and investigate how the magnitude of the fluxes depends on the presence of N₂-fixing tree species (Acacia dealbata), the proximity of creeks, and changing environmental conditions. Soil trace gas exchange was measured along replicated transects and in forest plots with and without presence of A. dealbata using static manual chambers and an automated trace gas measurement system for 2 weeks next to an eddy covariance tower measuring net ecosystem CO₂ exchange. CH₄ was taken up by the forest soil (?51.8 μg CH₄-C m^?2 h^?1) and was significantly correlated with relative saturation (S_r) of the soil. The soil within creek lines was a net CH₄ source (up to 33.5 μg CH₄-C m^?2 h^?1), whereas the wider forest soil was a CH₄ sink regardless of distance from the creek line. Soil N₂O emissions were small (<3.3 μg N₂O-N m^?2 h^?1) throughout the 2-week period, despite major rain and snowfall. Soil N₂O emissions only correlated with soil and air temperature. The presence of A. dealbata in the understorey had no influence on the magnitude of CH₄ uptake, N₂O emission or soil N parameters. N₂O production increased with increasing soil moisture (up to 50% S_r) in laboratory incubations and gross nitrification was negative or negligible as measured through ¹⁵N isotope pool dilution.The small N₂O emissions are probably due to the limited capacity for nitrification in this late successional forest soil with C:N ratios >20. Soil–atmosphere exchange of CO₂ was several orders of magnitude greater (88.8 mg CO₂-C m^?2 h^?1) than CH₄ and N₂O, and represented 43% of total ecosystem respiration. The forest was a net greenhouse gas sink (126.22 kg CO₂-equivalents ha^?1 d^?1) during the 2-week measurement period, of which soil CH₄ uptake contributed only 0.3% and N₂O emissions offset only 0.3%.     

Controls of temporal and spatial variability of methane uptake in soils of a temperate deciduous forest with different abundance of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.)

Aerated forest soils are a significant sink for atmospheric methane (CH₄). Soil properties, local climate and tree species can affect the soil CH₄ sink. A two-year field study was conducted in a deciduous mixed forest in the Hainich National Park in Germany to quantify the sink strength of this forest for atmospheric CH₄ and to determine the key factors that control the seasonal, annual and spatial variability of CH₄ uptake by soils in this forest. Net exchange of CH₄ was measured using closed chambers on 18 plots in three stands exhibiting different beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) abundance and which differed in soil acidity, soil texture, and organic layer thickness. The annual CH₄ uptake ranged from 2.0 to 3.4 kg CH₄-C ha⁻¹. The variation of CH₄ uptake over time could be explained to a large extent (R² = 0.71, P < 0.001) by changes in soil moisture in the upper 5 cm of the mineral soil. Differences of the annual CH₄ uptake between sites were primarily caused by the spatial variability of the soil clay content at a depth of 0-5 cm (R² = 0.5, P < 0.01). The CH₄ uptake during the main growing period (May-September) increased considerably with decreasing precipitation rate. Low CH₄ uptake activity during winter was further reduced by periods with soil frost and snow cover. There was no evidence of a significant effect of soil acidity, soil nutrient availability, thickness of the humus layer or abundance of beech on net-CH₄ uptake in soils in this deciduous forest. The results show that detailed information on the spatial distribution of the clay content in the upper mineral soil is necessary for a reliable larger scale estimate of the CH₄ sink strength in this mixed deciduous forest. The results suggest that climate change will result in increasing CH₄ uptake rates in this region because of the trend to drier summers and warmer winters.     

Temperature dependence of soil CO2 efflux is strongly modulated by seasonal patterns of moisture availability in a Mediterranean ecosystem

Extensive research has focused on the temperature sensitivity of soil respiration. However, in Mediterranean ecosystems, soil respiration may have a pulsed response to precipitation events, especially during prolonged dry periods. Here, we investigate temporal variations in soil respiration (R_s), soil temperature (T) and soil water content (SWC) under three different land uses (a forest area, an abandoned agricultural field and a rainfed olive grove) in a dry Mediterranean area of southeast Spain, and evaluate the relative importance of soil temperature and water content as predictors of R_s. We hypothesize that soil moisture content, rather than soil temperature, becomes the major factor controlling CO₂ efflux rates in this Mediterranean ecosystem during the summer dry season. Soil CO₂ efflux was measured monthly between January 2006 and December 2007 using a portable soil respiration instrument fitted with a soil respiration chamber (LI-6400-09). Mean annual soil respiration rates were 2.06 ± 0.07, 1.71 ± 0.09, and 1.12 ± 0.12 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ in the forest, abandoned field and olive grove, respectively. R_s was largely controlled by soil temperature above a soil water content threshold value of 10% at 0-15 cm depth for forest and olive grove, and 15% for abandoned field. However, below those thresholds R_s was controlled by soil moisture. Exponential and linear models adequately described R_s responses to environmental variables during the growing and dry seasons. Models combining abiotic (soil temperature and soil rewetting index) and biotic factors (above-ground biomass index and/or distance from the nearest tree) explained between 39 and 73% of the temporal variability of R_s in the forest and olive grove. However, in the abandoned field, a single variable - either soil temperature (growing season) or rewetting index (dry season) - was sufficient to explain between 51 and 63% of the soil CO₂ efflux. The fact that the rewetting index, rather than soil water content, became the major factor controlling soil CO₂ efflux rates during the prolonged summer drought emphasizes the need to quantify the effects of rain pulses in estimates of net annual carbon fluxes from soil in Mediterranean ecosystems.     

Do boundaries of soil animal and plant communities coincide? A case study of a Mediterranean forest in Russia

We studied the relationship between plant and soil animal communities by geostatistical analysis in a piedmont forest close to Novorossiysk (Southern Russia). Vegetation on the slope of a hill was an oak-ash-hornbeam forest, while the vegetation on the foot of the hill was a maple-ash-hornbeam forest. Two plots were studied each including both slope and foot habitats. On every plot samples collected formed a grid of 10 × 5 units with a 5 m distance between them. Soil macroinvertebrates were hand-sorted from the samples, and several soil parameters (soil, pebble, and litter mass, soil moisture) were measured.The analysis did not reveal coincidence between the boundaries of plant and soil animal communities on the bend of the hill. Soil animal communities of the plots were dominated by woodlice, diplopods, and insect larvae, reaching an abundance of 680–990 individuals m⁻² throughout the plots. Number of taxonomic groups per sample and overall animal abundance in the bend were the highest in both plots, whilst these parameters on the slope were the lowest. Variograms and maps of spatial distribution indicated that the boundary between soil animal communities was situated further up on the slope than the vegetation boundary. The size of the animal community was smaller than the size of plots sampled, what probably explained the lack of coincidence between the boundaries. There was a significant correlation between distribution of litter mass and parameters of soil animal communities, which was modulated by depth of soil layer and soil moisture. Soil parameters were more important for explaining boundaries between soil animal communities than plant communities in the forest considered.     

Potential for soil carbon sequestration of eroded areas in subtropical China

Soil plays an important role in the global carbon cycle, and carbon sequestration in soil is important for mitigating global climate change. Historically, soil erosion led to great reductions of soil organic carbon (SOC) storage in China. Fortunately, with the economic development and remarkably effective soil erosion control measures in subtropical China over the past 20 years, soil erosion has been greatly decreased. As a result, soil organic carbon sequestration has gradually increased due to the rapid recovery of vegetation in the area. However, little information exists concerning the potential of soil carbon sequestration in the area. This paper introduces a case study in Xingguo County, Jiangxi Province, China, which used to be a typical area with significant soil loss in subtropical China. This work represents a systematic investigation of the interrelations of carbon sequestration potential with soil erosion types, altitudes, soil types and soil parent materials. In this study, 284 soil samples were collected from 151 sampling sites (51 are soil profile sites) to determine soil physicochemical properties including organic carbon content. Soil organic carbon distribution maps of the surface layer (0–20 cm) and whole profile (0–100 cm) were compiled by linking soil types to the polygons of digital soil maps using GIS. Assuming that SOC was lost following the destruction of native vegetation, these lands hold great promise for potentially sequestering carbon again. The potential of soil carbon sequestration in the study area was estimated by subtracting the organic carbon status in eroded soils from that in non-eroded soils under undisturbed forest. Results show that the potential of SOC in the surface layer is 4.47 Tg C while that in the whole profile is 12.3 Tg C for the entire county. The greatest potential for carbon sequestration (3.72 Tg C) is found in severely eroded soil, while non-eroded soil has the smallest potential. Also, soil carbon sequestration potential decreases with increasing altitude. Soils at altitudes of <300 m show the greatest potential (5.01 Tg C), while those of >800 m have the smallest potential (0.25 Tg C). Among various soil types, red earths (Humic Acrisols) have the greatest potential of carbon sequestration (5.32 Tg C), and yellow earths (Ferralic Cambisols) have the smallest (0.15 Tg C). As for soils derived from various parent materials, soils derived from phyllite possess the greatest carbon sequestration potential, and soils from Quaternary red clays have the smallest.     

Winter soil CO2 efflux and its contribution to annual soil respiration in different ecosystems of a forest-steppe ecotone, north China

Most soil respiration measurements are conducted during the growing season. In tundra and boreal forest ecosystems, cumulative winter soil CO₂ fluxes are reported to be a significant component of their annual carbon budgets. However, little information on winter soil CO₂ efflux is known from mid-latitude ecosystems. Therefore, comparing measurements of soil respiration taken annually versus during the growing season will improve the accuracy of ecosystem carbon budgets and the response of soil CO₂ efflux to climate changes. In this study we measured winter soil CO₂ efflux and its contribution to annual soil respiration for seven ecosystems (three forests: Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica plantation, Larix principis-rupprechtii plantation and Betula platyphylla forest; two shrubs: Rosa bella and Malus baccata; and two meadow grasslands) in a forest-steppe ecotone, north China. Overall mean winter and growing season soil CO₂ effluxes were 0.15-0.26 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ and 2.65-4.61 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹, respectively, with significant differences in the growing season among the different ecosystems. Annual Q₁₀ (increased soil respiration rate per 10 °C increase in temperature) was generally higher than the growing season Q₁₀. Soil water content accounted for 84% of the variations in growing season Q₁₀ and soil temperature range explained 88% of the variation in annual Q₁₀. Soil organic carbon density to 30 cm depth was a good surrogate for SR₁₀ (basal soil respiration at a reference temperature of 10 °C). Annual soil CO₂ efflux ranged from 394.76 g C m⁻² to 973.18 g C m⁻² using observed ecosystem-specific response equations between soil respiration and soil temperature. Estimates ranged from 424.90 g C m⁻² to 784.73 g C m⁻² by interpolating measured soil respiration between sampling dates for every day of the year and then computing the sum to obtain the annual value. The contributions of winter soil CO₂ efflux to annual soil respiration were 3.48-7.30% and 4.92-7.83% using interpolated and modeled methods, respectively. Our results indicate that in mid-latitude ecosystems, soil CO₂ efflux continues throughout the winter and winter soil respiration is an important component of annual CO₂ efflux.     

Estimated Holocene soil carbon-soil degradation in Nevada and Western Utah, USA

There is much interest in predicting future carbon-soil degradation and that occurring today. We have National Soil Survey Laboratory data to assess some of the soil carbon degradation in the Great Basin and western Utah. For this we included data on 32 Nevada and Utah soils on Pleistocene geomorphic surfaces at elevations of 973 to 3172 m. Their mean annual precipitation (MAP) ranges from 20 to 55 cm and mean annual soil temperatures (MAST) from 5 to 12 °C. The MAP and MAST closely correlate with elevation (E) (r = 0.96 and − 0.97 respectively). Mountain big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. vaseyana (Rydb.) Beetle) dominates vegetation at the higher, colder elevations. Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Beetle and Young) and juniper (Juniperus L.) dominate at intermediate elevations. Little sagebrush (Artemisia arbuscula Nutt.) and related desert species dominate at the lower, warmer elevations. We used acid dichromate digestion and FeSO₄ titration to analyze for soil organic carbon (SOC) and bulk density and coarse fragments in the soils to put the data on a volume basis. The soils are well drained and uncultivated. Accumulation of organic carbon in each pedon (OCp) is correlated to MAP and MAST (r = 0.81, and − 0.78 respectively). We predicted OCp from the relationship,

(1)

r² = 0.64, S.E. = 1.30, n = 32. The soil OC degradation that may have occurred through the Holocene ranges from 35% at sites of the present Aridisols and Vertisols to 22% for the sites of the Mollisols and Alfisols. Eq. (1) shows that today, MAST rises of 1 to 3 °C would produce further OCp degradation from today's levels of 1% to 13% in Aridisols and Vertisols and 12% to 25% in the Mollisols and Alfisols respectively. It also shows that if the MAST drop of 6 °C predicted for the Pleistocene occurred, many of the Aridisols and Vertisols likely would have been Mollisols or Alfisols during the Pleistocene. A temperature rise of 1 °C in a century would likely move the Mollisol–Aridisol boundary from its present 2300 m elevation to an elevation of about 2900 m. A temperature rise of 3 °C in a century would likely move the Mollisol–Aridisol boundary from its present 2300 m elevation to elevations of the highest elevations in Nevada and to the middle of Idaho. Increasing the temperature by 3 °C will likely also increase the area affected by severe desertification in the southern Great Basin north by about 20%.     

Changes of arbuscular mycorrhizal traits and community structure with respect to soil salinity in a coastal reclamation land

A comprehensive knowledge on the relationship between soil salinity and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) is vital for a deeper understanding of ecosystem functioning under salt stress conditions. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of soil salinity on AMF root colonization, spore count, glomalin related soil protein (GRSP) and community structure in Saemangeum reclaimed land, South Korea. Soil samples were collected and grouped into five distinct salt classes based on the electrical conductivity of soil saturation extracts (EC_se). Mycorrhizal root colonization, spore count and GRSP were measured under different salinity levels. AMF community structure was studied through three complementary methods; spore morphology, terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). Results revealed that root colonization (P < 0.01), spore count (P < 0.01) and GRSP (P < 0.01) were affected negatively by soil salinity. Spore morphology and T-RFLP data showed predominance of AMF genus Glomus in Saemangeum reclaimed land. T-RFLP and DGGE analysis revealed significant changes in diversity indices between non (EC_se < 2 dS/m) and extremely (EC_se > 16 dS/m) saline soil and confirmed dominance of Glomus caledonium only in soils with EC_se < 8 dS/m. However, ribotypes of Glomus mosseae and Glomus proliferum were ubiquitous in all salt classes. Combining spore morphology, T-RFLP and DGGE analysis, we could show a pronounced effect in AMF community across salt classes. The result of this study improve our understanding on AMF activity and dominant species present in different salt classes and will substantially expand our knowledge on AMF diversity in reclaimed lands.     

Effect of deep ploughing on the water status of highly and less compacted soils for coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) production in Sri Lanka

Soil compaction limits soil water availability which adversely affects coconut production in Sri Lanka. Field experiments were conducted in coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) plantations with highly and less compacted soils in the intermediate climatic zone of Sri Lanka. Soil physical properties of sixteen major soil series planted with coconut were evaluated to select the most suitable soil series to investigate the effect of deep ploughing on soil water conservation. Soil compaction and soil water retention with respect to deep ploughing were monitored during the dry and rainy seasons using cone penetrometer and neutron scattering techniques, respectively. Evaluation of soil physical properties showed that the range of mean values of bulk density (BD) and soil penetration resistance (SPR) in the surface soil (0–10 cm depth) of major soil series in coconut lands was from 1.38 ± 0.02 to 1.57 ± 0.07 g/cm³ and 55 ± 10 to 315 ± 16.4 N/cm² respectively. The total available water fraction increased with clay content of soil as a result of high micropores. However, due to soil compaction, ability of soils to conserve water and to remain aerated was low for those series. Deep ploughing during the rainy and dry periods in highly compacted soils (BD > 1.5 g/cm³ and SPR > 250 N/cm²) greatly increased conserved soil water in the profile, while in less compacted soils (BD < 1.5 g/cm³ and SPR < 250 N/cm²) conserved water content was adversely affected. Soil water retention in bare soils of both highly and less compacted soil series was higher than that of live grass-covered soil. Amount of water conserved in ploughed Andigama series with respect to bare soils and grass-covered treatments during the severe dry period was 10.4 and 16.9 cm/m, while water storage reduction in the same treatments with ploughed Madampe series was 6.55 and 5.45 cm/m respectively. In addition, deep ploughing even in the effective root zone with live grass-covered highly compacted soils around coconut tree was favorable for soil water retention compared to that of live grass-covered less compacted soils.     

The Rhagidiidae (Acari: Prostigmata) in NW Lapland: Could their assemblages be climate warming monitors related to environmental and habitat patterns?

Fifteen species of Palearctic and Holarctic Rhagidiidae inhabit the polar Fennoscandian mountain birch forest and tundra, but additional taxa are expected to be discovered. Their assemblages comprise 5–10 species. Of these, Rhagidia gigas, R. diversicolor and Poecilophysis pratensis are the most abundant and widely distributed in the forested subalpine (480–600 m a.s.l.) and transitional (500–650 m a.s.l.) altitudinal zones while Poecilophysis pseudoreflexa and Rhagidia longiseta are found in the low-(600–800 m a.s.l.) and mid-(800–960 m a.s.l.), and Rhagidia parvilobata in the high alpine (960–1025 m a.s.l.) zones. Ten species of the rhagidiid mites are common in the Fennoscandian tundra as well as the alpine tundra of the Ötztal Alps, North Tyrol. Patterns of richness and diversity in this group of mites are different in different altitudinal zones in NW Lapland and the Ötztal Alps. In contrast to the Alps, no endemic species were detected in Fennoscandia. The different altitudinal niches of most common mite species overlap, but some species of mites in the subalpine forest and the high alpine zone are altitudinal vegetation belt-specific and occupy different niches. Some species of mites are rare in all altitudinal vegetation belts.Rhagidia diversicolor, R. gigas, Poecilophysis pratensis and P. pseudoreflexa exhibited sufficient abundance, habitat and elevational specificity to be useful as indicator species of the subalpine to transitional as well as the low alpine to middle alpine altitudinal zones, respectively. Rhagidia parvilobata and Poecilophysis saxonica are indicators of the high alpine zone. Abundant species from the low subalpine forested zone as well as the high alpine zone are proposed as potential monitors for direct and indirect impact of climate warming. Summit mite invaders detecting current impact of climate warming were not discovered in the high alpine zone of the Fennoscandian oroboreal tundra.     

Biogeochemical assessment of resilient humus formations from virgin and cultivated northern Botswana soils

Humic matter in virgin and cultivated Vertisols and Arenosols from Pandamatenga (northern Botswana) has been studied by chemical fractionation and visible and infrared derivative spectroscopies. The in vitro soil respiration was also determined. Soils contained <15 g of total C kg(-1) and displayed scant mineralization activity. In Vertisols, cultivation has led to scarce significant changes in humus characteristics, pointing to a noteworthy resilience of the organic matter. Humic acids showed a very dark color, indicating a large concentration of aromatic structures and stable free radicals. Infrared spectra were featureless and alike. This strong structural stability is also suggested by Curie-point pyrolysis of humic acids, which failed to yield substantial amounts of diagnostic products, mainly in the case of Vertisols. Some unexpected similarities between Vertisols and Arenosols indicate that the influence of external factors on the humic acid formation processes prevails on that of the geological substrate. In Pandamatenga soils only small amounts of recalcitrant C and N forms are sequestered; they represent stable pools relatively independent from short- or medium-term climatic changes or management practices.     

Switch of tropical Amazon forest to pasture affects taxonomic composition but not species abundance and diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal community

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) community composition and species richness are affected by several factors including soil attributes and plant host. In this paper we tested the hypothesis that conversion of tropical Amazon forest to pasture changes taxonomic composition of AMF community but not community species abundance and richness. Soil samples were obtained in 300 m × 300 m plots from forest (n = 11) and pasture (n = 13) and fungal spores extracted, counted and identified. A total of 36 species were recovered from both systems, with 83% of them pertaining to Acaulosporaceae and Glomeraceae. Only 12 species were shared between systems and spore abundance of the majority of fungal species did not differ between pasture and forest. Spore abundance was significantly higher in pasture compared to forest but both systems did not differ on mean species richness, Shannon diversity and Pielou equitability. Species abundance distribution depicted by species rank log abundance plots was not statistically different between both systems. We concluded that conversion of pristine tropical forest to pasture influences the taxonomic composition of AMF communities while not affecting species richness and abundance distribution.     

The effect of boreal forest composition on soil respiration is mediated through variations in soil temperature and C quality

Getting a better understanding of CO₂ efflux from forest soils is critical for increasing our comprehension of the global C cycle. We examined the influence of two common boreal tree species, either in pure stands (BS = black spruce; TA = trembling aspen) or in mixtures (MW = BS + TA mixedwood), on total (R_S), heterotrophic (R_H) and autotrophic soil respiration (R_A) and their relationship with soil temperature and moisture, distance to the nearest tree, labile and total soil organic C (SOC), and root content. Stand-specific soil respiration–temperature models were developed to estimate annual soil CO₂ efflux. Soil temperature was the main factor explaining R_S and its components, followed by labile and total SOC. These three variables were significantly affected by forest composition, while no difference in soil moisture, distance to the nearest tree and root content was observed between stand types. A reciprocal forest floor transplant experiment showed that the influence of stand types on mineral soil temperature was due to a difference in light penetration rather than forest floor characteristics. Annual R_S and R_H were significantly greater in MW and TA than in BS, whereas annual R_A was greater in BS and MW than in TA. Temperature sensitivity (Q₁₀) of both R_S and R_H was significantly higher in BS than in MW and TA, suggesting that CO₂ efflux from BS soils could be increased more under climate warming than that from the other stand types. Our results show evidence that boreal forest composition affects soil CO₂ efflux and that litter quality is not the only factor explaining the differences between stand types. The influence of forest composition on soil CO₂ efflux would be mediated through effects on soil temperature as well as on factors affecting the accumulation and the quality of SOC.