Soil macroarthropod communities in planted birch stands in comparison with natural forests in central Finland

The aim of the study was to compare the soil macroarthropod communities in anthropogenous birch stands of different origin with each other and with natural forests at the same latitude in Finland. A total of nine forest sites was investigated: three birch stands (Betula pendula) planted ca. 30 years prior to the study after clear-cutting of spruce stands (“Birch after Spruce”, BS), three birch stands planted ca. 30 years earlier on arable soil that had been under normal cultivation until reforestation (“Birch after Field”, BF), and three “Natural Deciduous” (D) forests. These were sampled three times in 1998, animals were extracted with large Tullgren funnels, counted per square metre, and their biomasses were weighed or estimated. Several groups were identified to species. Non-Metric Multidimensional Scaling (NMS) was used to analyse the communities of Coleoptera and Arachnida. The macroarthropod communities and biomasses were relatively similar in all study sites. Coleoptera especially did not differentiate much between different kinds of deciduous stands, while there were more differences in Arachnida. The spider communities were fairly similar to those of coniferous forests, while in Coleoptera some of the most abundant species are rare in spruce forests. All dominant species in the study sites are common members of the forest floor fauna, and differ from those of open terrain. The populations in “Birch after Field” were generally low, and their communities could be characterised as impoverished forest communities. There were considerable differences between replicates of the same kind of forest, e.g. the spider community of one deciduous site was similar to one “Birch after Field” site, while two others resembled more the “Birch after Spruce” sites. There was not much indication of increasing numbers and diversity of litter-feeding macroarthropods such as Diplopoda and Isopoda after reforestation with birch. The factors to explain the differences in community composition between different forests are discussed.     

Collembola succession on deposits from a chemical factory

Primary succession of collembolan communities was studied on deposits of a former factory producing nitric, sulphuric, and muratic acids and soda at Petrovice u Karviné, NE Moravia, Czech Republic, in 1978–1979. Chemically loaded deposits were 15, 25 and 60 years old in 1979 and a primary succession without plant re-cultivation took place there. The succession was delayed on small humps and slopes where the deposited substrate was covered by terrestrial algae, lichens and mosses. A total of 4871 specimens of Collembola containing 78 species from 23 sampling sites were evaluated. The quantitative species data were analysed using TWINSPAN and CANOCO programs. Coenotic similarity was determined with a polythetic classification produced by two-way indicator species analysis performed for log (n+1) transformed quantitative data. Collembolan communities were composed of 3–23 species in densities from 1300 to 80,700 ind·m². Lower species number (3–9) in low densities and low diversity occurred on sites with the initial stages of succession covered with algae, lichens and mosses. Collembolan species typical of early succession included Mesaphorura atlantica, Hypogastrura assimilis, Schoettella ununguiculata and Doutnacia xerophila. The succession on two different deposit substrates converged in more advanced stages to a collembolan community including Mesaphorura hylophila, Parisotoma notabilis, Lepidocyrtus lanuginosus, Folsomia quadrioculata and F. lawrencei as typical species. Species such as Isotomiella minor, Megalothorax minimus and Friesea mirabilis entered the succession only in the most advanced stage of the 60 years old deposit. The absence of F. mirabilis was probably connected with the missing aquatic soil microfauna (Nematoda, Tardigrada, Rotatoria) in the chemically unfavourable substrates of the less advanced succession stages.     

Primary immigration and succession of soil organisms on reclaimed opencast coal mining areas in eastern Germany

Immigration to and colonisation of recultivated opencast coal mining areas by soil organisms were investigated in eastern Germany during the period 1996–1998 in freshly exposed substrates (immigration test) and two up to 46-year-old afforested mine soils (stage-dependent succession). The results indicate that immigration by air is characteristic for protists, soil microarthropods and spiders, while active locomotion is more important for the soil macrofauna. Testate amoebae assemblages showed no evident differences between 30–37-year-old Tertiary afforestations (ash-ameliorated, pyrite-rich, low soil pH) and 46-year-old Pleistocene sites (liming, low pyrite content, moderate soil pH), while comparisons in soil animals revealed pronounced differences in abundance, biomass and species composition. Earthworms, for example, reached a mean biomass up to 108 g m^–2 in the Pleistocene deciduous afforestation. The Tertiary site had only 7–12 g m^–2. Generally, all investigated soil animal groups indicated taxon-specific immigration and colonisation strategies with pronounced site preferences, dependent on substrate quality, age and afforestation. Within 40 years, a consistent trend is visible from an open pioneer to a woodland community. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that long-term investigations as well as numerous taxa of different trophic levels are essential for a comprehensive evaluation of recultivated mine dumps.     

The role of soil fauna in ecosystems: A historical review

The research development in this review is divided into successive periods: (1) “From Darwin to Satchell”, covering the “pre-experimental” decades dealing with the functions of earthworms, (2) “Litterbag Studies”, characterized by field experiments on the faunal influence on litter decomposition, (3) “The Time of IBP”, concentrating on community energetics, (4) “The Microcosm Era”, laboratory studies that started with simple systems, followed by increasing complexity of experimental setup and community of organisms, including living plants, and ending to laboratory-scale “ecosystems”, (5) the recent “Biodiversity Boom”, analysing the relations between soil biodiversity and ecosystem functions, and (6) the current “Holistic View” that tends to link the diversity and functions of aboveground and belowground communities. These “periods” started roughly in this order, but are largely overlapping, since the early techniques are in continuing use together with the modern ones. The current knowledge on the role of soil biota, their diversity and various components has accumulated mainly during the last 30 years, resulting in the modern view of soil fauna as a part of the ecosystem.     

Understory herb assemblages 25 and 60 years after clearcutting of a northern hardwood forest, USA

The abundance of understory herbs in 25- and 60-year old clearcuts was compared to adjacent old secondary stands to infer how herb assemblages change in space and time following clearcutting of secondary forest. Herb densities and environmental conditions were sampled along 100 m transects crossing the clearcut/old secondary forest boundary, at three sites with 25-year old clearcuts and three sites with 60-year old clearcuts. At the 25-year sites, species densities of the 23 most frequent species were compared between clearcuts and adjacent old secondary forest to classify species into response groups. Species were classed as “insensitive” if there was little or no difference in density (seven species), “sensitive” if densities were lower in the clearcuts (six species), “enhanced” if densities were higher in clearcuts (four species), and “edge-enhanced” if densities were highest near clearcut edges (six species). Densities of two of the six sensitive species declined significantly with distance from the edge into the clearcut. Further, when regression results for all 23 species were combined, the mean slope of density vs. distance was significantly negative, indicating an overall trend to lower density with distance into the clearcuts. Most species classed as sensitive at 25 years did not show similar sensitivity at the 60-year sites; only one species had lower density in 60-year clearcuts than adjacent old secondary stands. Overall, there were substantial residual effects of clearcutting on herb assemblages within 50 m of the historical edge at 25-year sites, but not at 60-year sites. This difference may be due to different logging practices at the two historical times, as well as the difference in time for recovery since logging.     

Soil nematode fauna of afforested mine sites: genera distribution,trophic structure and functional guilds

In an afforested coal mining site at Berzdorf, Germany, the soil nematode community was investigated on the basis of genera distribution, trophic structure, and functional guilds. To assess food web complexity and nutritional status of afforested mine soils, the “weighted faunal analysis” was applied and found to be a useful diagnostic tool to describe the poorly developed, basal or matured food web characters of the Berzdorf mine soils. The tree species used in afforestation was a crucial factor. A comparison between nine mine soils of different age (4–46 years) and afforestation (poplar, alder, pine, mixed deciduous, mixed coniferous) showed particularly poorly structured food webs in poplar afforestations, whilst alder and mixed deciduous sites presented more favourable conditions in terms of soil succession and food web maturity. The results revealed no continuous increase in the complexity of food web interactions from younger successional stages to older stages. However, it was demonstrated that food web development at Berzdorf followed distinct shifts in soil primary succession. Correspondences of nematode community data and environmental parameters are discussed.     

Collembolan communities in deciduous forests of different origin in Finland

The aim of the study was to compare the collembolan communities in anthropogenous birch stands of different origin with each other and with natural forests at the same latitude. Nine sites were investigated: three birch stands (Betula pendula) planted ca. 30 years prior to the study after clear-cutting of spruce stands, three birch stands planted ca. 30 years earlier on arable soil that had been under cultivation until reforestation, and three natural deciduous forests. These were sampled in August and October 1998, and microarthropods were extracted, counted and identified. Thirty years after reforestation, the collembolan communities of “Birch after Spruce” and “Birch after Field” differed significantly, but nevertheless, in comparison to some other soil faunal groups, were relatively similar to each other, and also to the communities of “Natural Deciduous” forests. Average population densities and species diversity were lowest in “Birch after Field”. The communities of deciduous forests, either natural or planted, were also relatively similar to those of coniferous forests at the same latitude. Past land-use history, organic matter content, soil structure and texture, acidity and water holding capacity were the most important factors in explaining the observed community structure.     

Adaptation, tolerance, and evolution of plant species in a pyrite mine in response to contamination level and properties of mine tailings: sustainable rehabilitation

Purpose

The impacts of mining contaminations and physico-chemical properties and geochemistry of mine tailings on the density, richness, biodiversity, evolution and succession of plant species and vegetation recovery in the mining area is very poorly reported in the literature. Therefore, the present study conducted an investigation on vegetation development and succession of plant communities at the abandoned São Domingos pyrite mining area.

Materials and methods

We conducted the field survey to estimate the vegetation development and succession of plant communities, collect vegetation (plant species, lichen and moss) and tailing (and soil) samples, and finally analyzed the physico-chemical and geochemical properties and metal levels in mine tailings, soil and vegetation samples.

Results and discussion

The results showed that the communities of low height and biomass like grass, legume, shrub, moss and lichen were dominating on the mine tailings and waste dumps at the inner sites and center of the mine, and the vegetation coverage was explicitly very poor. The reddish brown colluvia had poor soil quality, but high acidity and metal concentrations. However, at the outer edge of the mine the loamy soil and relatively lower acidity and metal contamination favored the higher vegetation cover and a gradual increase in the number of species and plant succession, where the taller, higher biomass and broad leaf trees were abundantly grown forming a dense forest and canopy. The succession of several plant communities dominating in the mining area, vegetation coverage and species richness were strongly related to the different levels of contamination, soil properties and adverse factors of mine tailings.

Conclusions

Although the high concentrations of toxic trace elements and low pH soil are important factors for limiting the plant growth, however, proper soil development with enriched nutrients and properties on mining wastes, by either natural or external soil aided process, can help to promote the high vegetation growth, mine rehabilitation and ecological restoration of the mining degraded lands.     

Distribution and species grouping of millipedes (Myriapoda, Diplopoda) in dry biotopes in Saxony-Anhalt/Eastern Germany

Within an extensive study on endangered biotopes in the State of Saxony-Anhalt/Eastern Germany, the millipede fauna of 50 dry habitats, belonging to 5 types of biotopes was studied from 1995 to 1998 using pitfall traps. The most abundant species were Glomeris marginata and Cylindroiulus caeruleocinctus. By applying a combination of the criteria repraesentanz, constancy and dominance a new criterion, the “common-habitat-relation”, has been introduced to establish biotope-characteristic species and communities of millipedes. The results show that by using these criteria together, distinct groups can be formed consisting of “characteristic” and “companion species”. Eleven out of 34 species that occurred on the sites fitted into this grouping. Characteristic species groups were determined for mesoxeric meadows (C. caeruleocinctus, G. marginata and Glomeris hexasticha) and “succession” sites (Allaiulus nitidus and Polydesmus angustus). The sandy dry meadows were characterized by companion species only (Megaphyllum unilineatum and Ommatoiulus sabulosus), the heavy-metal grassland by the characteristic species Craspedosoma rawlinsii without companion species. For dwarf-shrub heaths no typical species groups could be found.     

Development of microbial community during primary succession in areas degraded by mining activities

Together with plants, soil microbial communities play an essential role in the development of stable ecosystems on degraded lands, such as postmining spoil heaps. Our study addressed concurrent development of the vegetation and soil fungal and bacterial communities in the course of primary succession in a brown coal mine spoil deposit area in the Czech Republic across a chronosequence spanning 54 years. During succession, the plant communities changed from sparse plants over grassland and shrubland into a forest, becoming substantially more diverse with time. Microbial biomass increased until the 21st year of ecosystem development and later decreased. Although there was a close association between fungi and vegetation, with fungi mirroring the differences in plant community assemblages, the development of the bacterial community was different. The early succession community in the barren nonvegetated soil largely differed from that in the older sites, especially in its high abundance of autotrophic and free‐living N₂‐fixing bacteria. Later in succession, bacterial community changes were minor and reflected the chemical parameters of the soil, including pH, which also showed a minor change with time. Our results show that complex forest ecosystems developed over 54 years on the originally barren soil of the temperate zone and indicate an important role of bacteria in the initial stage of soil development. Although the arrival of vegetation affects substantially fungal as well as bacterial communities, it is mainly fungi that respond to the ongoing development of vegetation.     

Linking species richness, biodiversity and ecosystem function in soil systems

Soils are the central organizing entities in terrestrial ecosystems and possess extremely diverse prokaryotic and eukaryotic biota. They are physically and chemically complex, with micro- and macro-aggregates embedded within a solid, liquid and gaseous matrix that is continually changing in response to natural and human-induced perturbations. Recent advances in molecular techniques in systematics have provided opportunities for the study of biodiversity and biocomplexity of soil biota. A symposium and workshop on soil biogeochemistry and biodiversity International Symposium on Impacts of Soil Biodiversity on Biogeochemical Processes in Ecosystems, Taiwan Forestry Research Institute, Taipei, Taiwan April 18-24, 2004. Convened an international array of participants working in biomes on virtually every continent on the planet (ranging from polar to tropical regions). This special issue reports on the theoretical bases and applications of molecular methods for the measurement of soil biodiversity.

Themes addressed include a melding of classical taxonomic investigations with biochemical fingerprinting and molecular probing of organism identities. Several papers highlight new advances in identifications of prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. Examples include new developments in “fingerprinting” of microbes active in “mycorrhizospheres” using immunocapture and other innovative techniques. Developments in the study of impacts of invasive plant and animal species on ecosystem function and subsequent microbial community composition and function have been very great in the last 2-3 years. Soils are major repositories of legacies, including fine and coarse woody debris and other organic products, which have feedbacks on soil diversity. The ways in which species diversity and function of microbial and faunal communities interact and their importance to ecosystem function are examined in biological and biochemical detail. This paper provides an overview of soil biodiversity and its feedbacks on soil biogeochemical processes in ecosystems.     

Factors influencing patterns of ascomycete sporulation following simulated “burning” of prairie soils

The interaction of elevated soil temperature, ash deposition and biotic factors associated with untreated subsurface soils on the patterns of sporocarp appearance among populations of carbonicolous ascomycetes in a prairie soil was studied in the laboratory. Ash or unheated prairie soil, when separately combined with aerated steam-heated soil, disrupts the biotic associations, affecting both the production of sporocarps and their order of appearance. With either of these treatments, the interval required for sporocarp appearance among several species was extended but never abbreviated. When ash and a subsurface layer of unheated soil were applied together to create a “simulated burn,” the successional pattern was similar to that observed in soil samples collected immediately following prairie burning. The biological causes of this disturbance-mediated heterotrophic succession include: (1) the growth rate and minimal time required for sporulation among individual species populations, and (2) an overall pattern of competitive hierarchy. We suggest that the order of appearance of ascomycetes on recently-burned soils may be the evolutionary outcome of interspecific competition.     

Species abundance distribution of collembolan communities in forest soils polluted with heavy metals

The species frequency of collembolan communities along a gradient of heavy metal pollution in soil of pine forest soils was studied. Sampling plots were established in forests 1, 3, 5, 8, 11, 68 and 148 km from the Miasteczko Śląskie zinc smelter. At each plot the plant associations, physicochemical characteristics of soil, and collembolan species composition and abundance were examined. The structure of collembolan communities was analyzed with regard to species distribution, testing geometric series, broken-stick, logarithmic series, log-normal and negative binomial distribution models. Most of the collembolan communities occurring both in contaminated and in uncontaminated soils had structure similar to a negative binomial distribution. In the samples from the oldest forest, the species frequencies could also be fitted to a log-normal distribution. The species frequency model was independent of the degree of soil pollution. Under the assumption of a negative binomial distribution of Collembola from soil samples, it is possible to estimate the theoretical number of collembolan species in the habitats studied. The difference between estimated and empirical numbers of species (the number of species not revealed in samples) was linearly correlated with metal concentrations in soil, indicating the elimination of a number of rare species from severely polluted forests.     

Does forest type and vegetation patchiness influence horizontal distribution of soil Collembola in two neighbouring forest sites?

The influence of forest type and heterogeneity of understory vegetation on the horizontal distribution of soil living Collembola was studied in two neighbouring mountain forest sites—a 180-year old beech forest and a 70-year old natural spruce forest. Four homogenous patches with different understory vegetation were chosen within each forest site and sampled 12 times between 1997 and 1998. A total of 56 collembolan species were identified, 51 in the beech forest and 48 in the spruce site. Twenty-three species were rare—they were recorded with low constancy and density. Although both forest sites differed in soil type, humus form and soil chemical parameters, the species composition of their collembolan communities was quite similar (77% shared species). Nevertheless, soil collembolan communities of both forest sites were clearly delimited on both qualitative (presence–absence) and quantitative (in density of individual species) levels as well as in terms of total collembolan density. Mean collembolan density reached 26 650–44 030 ind/m² in the beech patches compared to 44 470–68 050 ind/m² found in the spruce patches. Considerably higher densities of several species in one forest site may indicate more suitable habitat. In spite of similar species composition and minor differences in qualitative parameters among different vegetation patches within one forest site, there was clear variation in density of individual species, particularly between patches with and without herb vegetation. This could reflect different microclimatic conditions, additional litter supply from herbs or indirect interactions of Collembola with their roots.     

Collembolan community dynamics during deciduous forests regeneration in Japan

The structure and feeding group composition of collembolan communities were studied in secondary deciduous forests of different ages to investigate the collembolan community response to environmental changes associated with forest cycles. The study was carried out at eight sites forming a chronosequence (1, 4, 12, 24, 51, 54, 71 and 128 years after clear cutting) of deciduous forest stands in northern Ibaraki (Japan). Total collembolan density and species richness was low at the 1-year-old site, and there was little difference in density among sites over 4 years of age. The density of sucking feeders was especially low at the 1-year-old site. Species richness of trees of a diameter at breast height (DBH)<5 cm positively correlated with the density of fungal feeders. Species richness of total Collembolans and of sucking feeders correlated positively with the water content of the organic layer. Ordination of the collembolan community with Canonical Correspondence Analysis suggested that species richness of larger trees (DBH 5 cm) contributed to the differences in species composition of fungal feeders and sucking feeders. We conclude that total abundance and species richness of collembolans recovered within 4 years after clear-cutting, but species composition of fungal feeders and sucking feeders took longer to recover.     

Influence of variable inundation regimes on soil collembola

Soil collembola in floodplain habitats are known to react dynamically to inundation, showing direct negative effects of inundation as well as rapid regeneration after flooding. Unknown, however, are how these communities react to variable inundation and the role that spatial and temporal habitat heterogeneity plays. Therefore, the small-scale spatio-temporal dynamics of soil collembolan communities after varying inundation were studied in floodplain habitats in the Upper Rhine Valley in Germany. After frequent flooding, significant differences in density and species richness were found between different floodplain levels of the same location. Due to different species’ responses, major differences occurred in community structure. After infrequent inundation the densities and species richness of the same sites and especially hygrophilous components decreased dramatically. Between neighbouring sites, species exchange occurred and community structures became more similar. The results show that at the same locality soil collembola react dynamically as well as differentially to changes in the hydrological regime. Small-scale landscape heterogeneity allows a mixture of differentially reacting species to occur within the same regional metacommunity. Long-term stability of collembolan communities despite the high spatio-temporal heterogeneity of floodplains is thus maintained by metacommunity dynamics.     

Modern forestry vehicles and their impacts on soil physical properties

“Close-to-nature forest stands” are one central key in the project “Future oriented Forest Management” financially supported by the German Ministry for Science and Research (BMBF). The determination of ecological as well as economical consequences of mechanized harvesting procedures during the transformation from pure spruce stands to close-to-nature mixed forest stands is one part of the “Southern Black Forest research cooperation”. Mechanical operations of several typical forest harvesting vehicles were analysed to examine the actual soil stresses and displacements in soil profiles and to reveal the changes in soil physical properties of the forest soils. Soil compaction stresses were determined by Stress State Transducer (SST) and displacement transducer system (DTS) at two depths: 20 and 40 cm. Complete harvesting and trunk logging processes accomplished during brief 9-min operations were observed at time resolutions of 20 readings per second. Maximum vertical stresses for all experiments always exceeded 200 kPa and at soil depths of 20 cm for some vehicles and sequences of harvesting operations approached ≥500 kPa. To evaluate the impacts of soil stresses on soil structure, internal soil strengths were determined by measuring precompression stresses. Precompression stress values of forest soils at the field sites ranged from 20 to 50 kPa at soil depths of 20 cm depth and from 25 to 60 kPa at soil depths of 40 cm, at a pore water pressure of −60 hPa. Data obtained for these measured soil stresses and their natural bearing capacities proved that sustainable wheeling is impossible, irrespective of the vehicle type and the working process. Re-occurring top and subsoil compaction, increases in precompression stress values in the various soil horizons, deep rut depths, vertical and horizontal soil displacements associated with shearing stresses, all affected the mechanical strengths of forest soils. In order to sustain naturally “unwheeled” soil areas with minimal compaction, it is recommended that smaller machines, having less mass, be used to complete forest harvesting in order to prevent or at least to maintain currently minimal-compacted forest soils. Additionally, if larger machines are required, permanent wheel and skid tracks must be established with the goal of their maximum usefulness for future forest operations. A first step towards accomplishing these permanent pathways requires comprehensive planning with the Federal State Baden-Württemberg. The new guideline for final opening with skid tracks (Landesforstverwaltung Baden-Württemberg, 2003) proposes a permanent skid track system with a width of 20–40 m.     

Effects of Haloxylon spp. of Different Age Classes on Vegetation Cover and Soil Properties on an Arid Desert Steppe in Iran

In arid regions, afforestation has been considered as a method for ecological revival in terms of vegetation enrichment and soil amelioration. In this study, the effects of afforestation with Haloxylon spp. on vegetation cover and soil properties were measured < 3, 3, 6, and 25 years after planting in an arid desert in Iran. Soil samples were collected at two depths (0-30 and 30-60 cm) under and between shrub canopies. Afforestation succession significantly affected plant community characteristics. In total, 16 species from 8 families and 15 genera were observed along the afforestation successional gradient. Plant species richness and diversity and vegetation cover increased slowly during the succession, and reached the maximum values in the area where Haloxylon had been planted for 25 years. Soil nutrient values gradually increased during the succession, and the levels of organic matter, total nitrogen, available potassium, and available phosphorus were significantly higher under Haloxylon canopies than between them. Afforestation reduced soil pH under and between Haloxylon canopies during the succession, while soil electrical conductivity followed an opposite pattern. Haloxylon planting increased the silt content in the 0-30 cm soil layer. Our results suggest that Haloxylon establishment plays an important role in the reestablishment of desertified ecosystems in arid regions.     

Specific draught for mouldboard plough, chisel plough and disc harrow at different water contents

The objective of the present study was to measure the specific draught (force per cross-sectional area of worked soil) and energy use for soil fragmentation for different tillage implements and soil conditions. Draught was calculated from measurements of fuel consumption and speed during tillage with a mouldboard plough and a chisel plough set to working depths of 13, 17 and 21 cm, and a disc harrow. Tillage was carried out at three different water contents (“Wet”, “Moist” and “Dry”) on two sites. The average working depth was calculated from weighing the loose soil within a 0.25-m² frame. Specific area of the soil was determined by sieving. Soil strength was measured in situ using a shear vane and a penetrometer. Average working depth was much less than the set working depth for the chisel plough. Specific draught was generally the lowest for the mouldboard plough and the highest for the chisel plough, and increased with decreasing soil water content. The specific draught was strongly correlated to soil cohesion, but not to penetration resistance. The proportion of coarse aggregates after tillage was the highest for the mouldboard plough and the lowest for the moist soil. The energy use for soil fragmentation was in most cases the lowest for the disc harrow, while there were small differences between the chisel and the mouldboard ploughs. The results show that the mouldboard plough is energy efficient for loosening soil, while the disc harrow is energy efficient for soil fragmentation during primary tillage. Tillage at an intermediate water content, close to the plastic limit, gave the largest proportion of small aggregates and consequently the lowest energy use for soil fragmentation.     

Consistent patterns of N distribution through soil profiles in diverse alpine and tundra ecosystems

We studied the vertical patterns of δ¹⁵nitrogen in total N and exchangeable NH₄⁺-N through soil profiles in diverse alpine and tundra ecosystems. Soil samples were analyzed from 11 sites located in three mountain areas: NW Caucasus (Russia), the Khibiny Mountains (NW Russia) and Abisko region (N Sweden). Despite differences in the profile patterns of organic matter, nitrogen accumulation and nitrogen availability, we found consistent patterns of ¹⁵N distribution through all studied soil profiles. The δ¹⁵N values of total N were in general about zero or positive in the surface horizon and increased with soil depth. In contrast with total N, the δ¹⁵N values of exchangeable NH₄⁺-N were in general about zero or negative in the surface horizons and decreased with soil depth. NH₄⁺-N was significantly ¹⁵N-depleted compared with total N in all mineral horizons, while in the surface organic horizons differences between isotopic composition of total N and NH₄⁺-N were mostly not significant. We do not know the exact mechanism responsible for ¹⁵N depletion of NH₄⁺-N with soil depth and further research needs to evaluate the contributions of natural processes (higher nitrification activity and biological immobilization of “lighter” NH₄⁺-N near the soil surface) or artifacts of methodological procedure (contribution of the ¹⁵N-enriched microbial N and dissolved organic N near the soil surface). Nevertheless, our finding gives a new possibility to interpret variability in foliar δ¹⁵N values of plant species with different rooting depth in alpine and tundra ecosystems, because plants with deeper root systems can probably consume “lighter” rather than “heavier” NH₄⁺-N.