Changes in the community structure and diversity of soil invertebrates across the Franz Josef Glacier chronosequence

Following the creation of new land surfaces, there is an initial build-up phase of ecosystem development, but after a prolonged absence of major disturbance a retrogressive (decline) phase often follows due to reduced nutrient availability over time. Although many studies have considered how the soil community changes during the build-up phase, the response of this community to the retrogressive phase is poorly known. We measured litter and soil communities of microfauna and macrofauna along the Franz Josef Glacier chronosequence in New Zealand that spans ca. 120,000 years, and includes well-established build-up and retrogressive stages. We aimed to assess whether the abundances, community structure and diversity of these groups show the same pattern across the sequence as that for vegetation. With regard to microfaunal abundances, litter-dwelling microbe-feeding nematodes were most abundant in the first stage of the chronosequence, but several other groups of microfauna in both the soil and litter increased sharply during the first few stages and declined sharply during the last (retrogressive) stages. The ratios of bacterial- to fungal-feeding nematodes in both soil and litter were lowest for the final stages of the chronosequence, and (in the case of soil) for some of the early stages, pointing to domination by the fungal-based energy channel at those stages for which soil organic matter content or quality were lowest. This is consistent with the fungal-based energy channel being better adapted than the bacterial-based channel for resource-poor conditions. The main groups of macroinvertebrates typically had their lowest abundances at the very early and late stages of the chronosequence, although the relative abundances of different taxa differed during the intermediate stages. Taxonomic diversity of nematodes and macroinvertebrates in both litter and soil varied strongly with chronosequence stage but differed among taxa; diversity of only one group (macroinvertebrates in litter) declined significantly during retrogression. Diversity of nematodes and macroinvertebrates along the sequence did not closely match tree diversity or soil chemical properties, but community composition of these groups was often related to tree community composition and ratios of soil C to N, C to P and N to P. Different groups of soil invertebrates show contrasting responses to chronosequence stage, probably because they differ in their relative response to bottom-up and top-down controls. However, the abundance of most groups increased during the build-up phase and declined during retrogression. As such, the build-up and decline phases observed for plant communities and ecosystem processes across long-term chronosequences also apply to soil communities, pointing to the importance of resource availability as a major driver of soil biota during long-term ecosystem change.     

Spruce forest conversion to a mixed beech-coniferous stand modifies oribatid community structure

We investigated oribatid mite community diversity and structure in the managed conversion of coniferous stands into semi-natural montane forests that are composed of a small-scale mosaic formed by different age classes of silver fir, Norway spruce and European beech in the southern Black Forest area, South-Western Germany, using the space-for-time substitution method. The core hypothesis was that changing tree composition and management practice will affect functional structure and diversity of oribatid mite community through changing substrate quality and litter diversity. Three forest districts were selected within the research region. Four stand types representing the major stages of forest conversion were selected within each forest district: (i) even-aged spruce monocultures, (ii) species enrichment stage, (iii) forest stand structuring stage, at which fur and beech and other deciduous trees penetrate the upper storey of the forest and (iv) a diverse continuous cover forest respectively. Oribatid mite abundance, species richness and composition, biomass, ecomorphs and feeding groups relative abundance were determined. An overall increase in species richness moving from the spruce monoculture to a continuous cover forest was detected. However, the herbivorous and litter-dwelling mites were most sensitive to forest conversion demonstrating significant differences in abundance between conversion stages. Almost all changes in the oribatid community were associated with the properties of the changing litter layer. Abundance of soil-dwelling mites remained very stable what is in contradiction with the response of the other soil fauna groups found at the same sites. Overall oribatid community seemed to be more dependent on total microbial biomass than fungi. However, observed effects were overshadowed by considerable district-induced differences.     

Nematoda response to forest conversion

This study investigates the response of the Nematoda community to forest conversion from pure coniferous stands into semi-natural montane forests in the southern Black Forest (Germany). The investigation was carried out by comparing existing stands that represent the four major stages of the envisaged conversion process. Major results are: (i) the number of Nematoda genera was highest at the species enrichment stage pointing to a positive influence of a rich ground vegetation on the diversity of Nematoda, (ii) predaceous species reached a particularly high, and omnivorous species having a particularly low, density at the species enrichment stage, and (iii) root-hair feeding Nematoda profited from qualitative changes of fine roots during the conversion process and gradually increased in abundance from the even-aged pure spruce stands to the diverse continuous cover forests. Altogether the comprehensive investigation of the Nematoda of the four conversion stages indicates that forest conversion only weakly alters the structure of the Nematoda community. Neither an overall change nor a clear trend in Nematoda richness and abundance could be established. However, due to the specific responses of the different Nematoda feeding groups to the conditions of the individual conversion stages it seems to be ecological useful to maintain special qualities of each conversion stage (e.g. forest gaps in the species enrichment stage) during forest conversion protecting the structure and diversity of the Nematoda communities.     

Soil macrofaunal response to sand dune conversion from mobile dunes to fixed dunes in Horqin sandy land,northern China

The response of macrofauna to dune conversion from mobile dunes to fixed dunes was investigated in Horqin sandy land, northern China. Macrofaunal communities were compared in four major stages: mobile dunes (MD), semi-mobile dunes (SMD), semi-fixed dunes (SFD) and fixed dunes (FD). Macrofauna were collected by hand in the field and identified in the lab on the basis of features observed under a magnifying glass. They were then classified into morphotypes at the order and family level. Environmental parameters indicated a significant alteration of the soil environment in the conversion process. A clear increasing trend in abundance, richness, and diversity of the macrofaunal community could be established from mobile dunes to fixed dunes. Data for the different taxa suggested specific responses to dune conversion. Specific groups in the initial stage were predators (Labiduridae and Myrmeleontidae larvae, presumably feeding on Noctuidae and other small flying insects), which in the intermediate stages were replaced by saprophagous taxa (Diptera larvae, feeding on many decaying roots buried in semi-mobile and semi-fixed dunes), and burrowing Tenebrionidae (adults, then larvae) with herbivorous Hemiptera in later fixation stages with higher plant density and cover. Overall, the conversion process, particularly the fixed dunes, provided more suitable habitats with greater soil organic matter and plant cover supporting macrofaunal communities with higher diversity, which further enhanced the stabilization process, benefiting the restoration of soil and vegetation in this semiarid sandy area.     

Fertility of tropical soils under different land use systems—a case study of soils in Tabasco,Mexico

Increasing deforestation in Mexico in the past 40 years has led to significant land use changes. It is important to establish land use systems that allow for the necessities of an increasing population and the conservation of soil fertility in the long term. In this study, we investigated the influence of different land use forms on soil fertility in Tabasco, SE Mexico. We chose two different commonly used pastures (Cynodon plectostachyus and Brachiaria decumbens) and a succession forest. We characterised soil fertility by physico-chemical parameters (texture, density, pH, P, Corg., Ntot., cation exchange capacity (CEC)) as well as by biological parameters, such as litter decomposition, microbial biomass and earthworm community. To estimate litter decomposition we used leaves of Gliricidia sepium, a common fodder tree in the region. The three land use systems had very similar soil chemical characteristics. All three can be characterised as acidic (pH between 4.1 and 5.3) with a high content of organic matter and total nitrogen. However, the three land use systems differed significantly with respect to their soil biological characteristics. Earthworm density as well as litter decomposition were significantly lower under B. decumbens than in the other soils. In all land use systems, the participation of macrofauna and mesofauna accelerated litter decomposition rate significantly as compared with decomposition with microfauna and microflora alone.We extracted two components of the pool of data by main component analysis. The acidity component explained mainly the microbial litter decomposition rate. The rate of litter decomposition – with participation of soil meso- and macrofauna – could be explained by the humus component. We assume that biological parameters were more suitable to characterise differences between the different land use systems. The use of C. plectostachyus and succession forest showed a positive effect on soil fertility.     

Humus structure during a spruce forest rotation: quantitative changes and relationship to soil biota

Temporal dynamics of edaphic communities affect numerous processes in forests and also strongly influence the soil's organic matter status. We have linked long-term changes in the formation of organic matter (using humus micromorphological analyses) to changes in the soil's community structure during a spruce forest cycle on acid soil. The study was carried out at four sites of different age-classes in the Tharandter forest, Germany. The composition of the deeper humus layers (OH, A) was stable. Herbaceous litter, recent spruce litter, fragmented spruce litter, decomposed litter and faeces and fungi, which contributed to the organic layer (OL and OH horizon), significantly changed during the forestry cycle, especially with the shift from the early stage to intermediate stages. Parallel changes of the faunal assemblage of the soil showed quantitative relations between major stages of the forest development, humus dynamics and soil community composition. The herbaceous litter was correlated with surface-dwelling Collembola and microbial properties with faeces and fungi. Our results suggest that the long-term stability of deep organic layers provides a refuge for decomposers and detritivores that allows a rapid response to both adverse and favourable conditions, taking place in OL and OF layers. Furthermore, the opening of the canopy in mature stands allows the decomposers to adapt to changes in resource input long before the collapse of the forest.     

Organic farming fosters agroecosystem functioning in Argentinian temperate soils: Evidence from litter decomposition and soil fauna

Benefits of organic farming on soil fauna have been widely observed and this has led to consider organic farming as a potential approach to reduce the environmental impact of conventional agriculture. However, there is still little evidence from field conditions about direct benefits of organic agriculture on soil ecosystem functioning. Hence, the aims of this study were to compare the effect of organic farming versus conventional farming on litter decomposition and to study how this process is affected by soil meso- and macrofauna abundances. Systems studied were: (1) organic farming with conventional tillage (ORG), (2) conventional farming with conventional tillage (CT), (3) conventional farming under no-tillage (NT), and (4) natural grassland as control system (GR). Decomposition was determined under field conditions by measuring weight loss in litterbags. Soil meso- and macrofauna contribution on decomposition was evaluated both by different mesh sizes and by assessing their abundances in the soil. Litter decomposition was always significantly higher after 9 and 12 months in ORG than in CT and NT (from 2 to 5 times in average), regardless decomposer community composition and litter type. Besides, mesofauna, macrofauna and earthworm abundances were significantly higher in ORG than in NT and CT (from 1.6 to 3.8, 1.7 to 2.3 and 16 to 25 times in average, respectively for each group). These results are especially relevant firstly because the positive effect of ORG in a key soil process has been proved under field conditions, being the first direct evidence that organic farming enhances the decomposition process. And secondly because the extensive organic system analyzed here did not include several practices which have been recognized as particularly positive for soil biota (e.g. manure use, low tillage intensity and high crop diversity). So, this research suggests that even when those practices are not applied, the non-use of agrochemicals is enough to produce positive changes in soil fauna and so in decomposition dynamics. Therefore, the adoption of organic system in an extensive way can also be suggested to farmers in order to improve ecosystem functioning and consequently to achieve better soil conditions for crop production.     

Mixed-species legume fallows affect faunal abundance and richness and N cycling compared to single species in maize-fallow rotations

Rotation of nitrogen-fixing woody legumes with maize has been widely promoted to reduce the loss of soil organic matter and decline in soil biological fertility in maize cropping systems in Africa. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of maize-fallow rotations with pure stands, two-species legume mixtures and mixed vegetation fallows on the richness and abundance of soil macrofauna and mineral nitrogen (N) dynamics. Pure stands of sesbania (Sesbania sesban), pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan), tephrosia (Tephrosia vogelii), 1:1 mixtures of sesbania + pigeon pea and sesbania + tephrosia, and a mixed vegetation fallow were compared with a continuously cropped monoculture maize receiving the recommended fertilizer rate, which was used as the control. The legume mixtures did not differ from the respective pure stands in leaf, litter and recycled biomass, soil Ca, Mg and K. Sesbania + pigeon pea mixtures consistently increased richness in soil macrofauna, and abundance of earthworms and millipedes compared with the maize monoculture (control). The nitrate-N, ammonium-N and total mineral N concentration of the till layer soil (upper 20 cm) of pure stands and mixed-species legume plots were comparable with the control plots. Sesbania + pigeon pea mixtures also gave higher maize grain yield compared with the pure stands of legume species and mixed vegetation fallows. It is concluded that maize-legume rotations increase soil macrofaunal richness and abundance compared with continuously cropped maize, and that further research is needed to better understand the interaction effect of macrofauna and mixtures of organic resources from legumes on soil microbial communities and nutrient fluxes in such agro-ecosystems.     

Experimental evidence for the interacting effects of forest edge,moisture and soil macrofauna on leaf litter decomposition

Forest ecosystems have been widely fragmented by human land use. Fragmentation induces significant microclimatic and biological differences at the forest edge relative to the forest interior. Increased exposure to solar radiation and wind at forest edges reduces soil moisture, which in turn affects leaf litter decomposition. We investigate the effect of forest fragmentation, soil moisture, soil macrofauna and litter quality on leaf litter decomposition to test the hypothesis that decomposition will be slower at a forest edge relative to the interior and that this effect is driven by lower soil moisture at the forest edge. Experimental plots were established at Wytham Woods, UK, and an experimental watering treatment was applied in plots at the forest edge and interior. Decomposition rate was measured using litter bags of two different mesh sizes, to include or exclude invertebrate macrofauna, and containing leaf litter of two tree species: easily decomposing ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.) and recalcitrant oak (Quercus robur L.). The decomposition rate was moisture-limited at both sites. However, the soil was moister and decomposition for both species was faster in the forest interior than at the edge. The presence of macrofauna accelerated the decomposition rate regardless of moisture conditions, and was particularly important in the decomposition of the recalcitrant oak. However, there was no effect of the watering treatment on macrofauna species richness and abundance. This study demonstrates the effect of forest fragmentation on an important ecosystem process, providing new insights into the interacting effects of moisture conditions, litter quality, forest edge and soil macrofauna.     

Temporal dynamics and variation with forest type of phospholipid fatty acids in litter and soil of temperate forests across regions

Microorganisms form the basis of soil food webs and represent key control points of carbon cycling and sequestration. Virtually all central European forests are managed and land-use regimes likely impact microbial abundance and community composition. Consequently, knowledge on how land-use intensity and abiotic variables, such as pH, C-to-N ratios, moisture regimes and concomitantly different stress levels, affect microbial communities is needed. We investigated phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) profiles of leaf litter and soil from four forest types differing in foliage, age and management intensity, replicated in three regions across Germany. To account for temporal variation, samples were taken twice in the same season, but with an interval of three years. Total microbial biomass and microbial community composition differed between years, presumably due to between year variations in weather conditions. The litter layer was more prone to effects of drying, with a reduction of almost 30% of total PLFAs in the drier year. In soil effects of weather conditions depended on soil type and therefore differed between regions, with microorganisms in the sandy soils of the Schorfheide being more susceptible to water-stress, as evidenced by a ten-fold increase of the stress indicator cy/pre ratio in the drier year. Despite temporal variations in microbial biomass and community composition, the balance between the fungal and bacterial energy channel, as measured by fungal-to-bacterial ratios, remained rather constant in particular in soil. While total microbial biomass did not differ between forest types, microbial community composition differed significantly between beech and coniferous forests. Despite more acidic conditions, the fungal energy channel was less pronounced in leaf litter of coniferous forests than in broad-leaved forests, whereas the proportion of bacterial fatty acids was the highest in coniferous forests. Increasing management intensity presumably fosters the bacterial energy channel in the exposed litter layer. Supporting this assumption coniferous forests featured significantly higher values of the stress indicators cy/pre and SAT/MONO ratio. Bacterial community structure and biomass closely correlated with pH, with particular PLFAs dominating at high and low pH, respectively, indicating pH-specific microbial communities. In contrast, fungal abundance in leaf litter was correlated with C-to-N ratio. The results suggest that leaf litter and soil need to be considered separately when investigating changes in microbial community composition, since susceptibility of microorganisms to environmental stressors differs markedly between these layers. This, and repeated sampling events, may be particularly important when investigating subtle effects such as those related to climate change.     

Soil fauna abundance and diversity in a secondary semi-evergreen forest in Guadeloupe (Lesser Antilles): influence of soil type and dominant tree species

The importance of secondary tropical forests regarding the maintenance of soil fauna abundance and diversity is poorly known. The aims of this study were (1) to describe soil fauna abundance and diversity and (2) to assess the determinants of soil fauna abundance and diversity in two stands of a tropical semi-evergreen secondary forest. Soil macrofauna and microarthropod abundance and soil macrofauna diversity were described at two sites developed on different soils and with different site histories: (1) a natural secondary stand (natural forest) under two dominant tree species, Pisonia subcordata and Bursera simaruba, and (2) a planted secondary forest (planted forest) under three tree species, B. simaruba, Swietenia macrophylla, and Tabebuia heterophylla. The effects of both soil and main tree species’ litter quality were assessed to explain soil fauna abundance and diversity. The abundance of soil macrofauna was significantly higher in the soil under the planted forest, and soil fauna communities were contrasted between the two sites. In the planted forest, a soil-dwelling macrofauna community developed (mainly consisting of the anecic earthworm Polypheretima elongata). In the natural forest, soil macrofauna and microarthropod communities were located at the soil surface. The effect of plant litter quality varied according to each dominant tree species and was superimposed to soil effect. The lowest macrofauna abundance was associated with B. simaruba in the natural forest. T. heterophylla supported a much greater macrofauna community than the two other tree species studied at the same soil, and it appears likely that this is due to the palatability of its leaves compared with the other trees (low lignin, tannins, soluble phenols).     

重庆缙云山林地枯落物及土壤水文效应研究

 为了解中亚亚热带常绿阔叶林地的土壤状况,以重庆缙云山4种林分为研究对象,通过标准地调查、土壤物理性质及持水能力测定和入渗实验,对林地枯落物和土壤水分效应进行研究。结果表明:1)缙云山林地土壤具有较强的持水能力,1m深土壤持水能力为9.5013.17 mm。2)枯落物蓄积量为16.21～32.42t/hm2,枯落物持水率为针阔混交林>灌木林>常绿阔叶林>楠竹林,持水量为灌木林>针阔混交林>常绿阔叶林>楠竹林。3)菲利浦模型较好地反映研究地区不同类型林地土壤入渗过程。     

Enclosing decomposer food web: implications for community structure and function

We designed a field experiment to evaluate how restriction of soil faunal movements affects decomposer community structure, food web architecture, and decomposition of organic matter. Intact soil cores (3cm thick, diameter 16cm) were placed either in “open” (mesh size 1mm, allowing all meso- and microfauna to move through) or “closed” (27μm, animal movement prevented except for the smallest microfauna) mesh bags in early May. Before being buried in the forest floor of a mixed spruce stand, hay litter was placed in the mesh bags in separate litter bags. The samplings took place 2 and 6 months after establishing the experiment. Additional “field samples” were taken from the adjacent soil to determine possible side effects of the mesh-bags. Physicochemical conditions, decomposition rate of hay litter, and total respiration of soil cores were identical in the two bag treatments. Enchytraeids increased significantly in the closed treatment, while macrofauna, such Coleoptera larvae and dipteran larvae, went close to extinction in the closed bags. The elevated enchytraeid number is in accordance with the findings of closed microcosm studies, and is best explained by reduced predation by macrofauna. Although a set of 14 mite taxa was found to distinctively reflect the degree of isolation, neither the total number of individuals nor the number of microarthropod taxa differed between the bag treatments, or between the bags and the field samples. It is concluded that in the time-span of one growing season, reduction in the spatial scale does not necessarily reduce the diversity of fauna but can significantly change the decomposer food-web architecture. Received: 5 February 1997     

Litter decomposition reduces either N2O or NO production in strongly acidic coniferous and broad-leaved forest soils under anaerobic conditions

Purpose

The beneficial effect to the environment of nitrate (NO₃ ^?) removal by denitrification depends on the partitioning of its end products into nitrous oxide (N₂O), nitric oxide (NO), and dinitrogen (N₂). However, in subtropical China, acidic forest mineral soils are characterized by negligible denitrification capacity and thus reactive forms of N could not be effectively converted to inert N₂, resulting in a negative environmental consequence. In this study, the influences of C input from litter decomposition on denitrification rate and its gaseous products under anoxic conditions in the acidic coniferous and broad-leaved forest soils in subtropical China were investigated using the acetylene (C₂H₂) blockage technique in the laboratory.

Materials and methods

The coniferous and broad-leaved forest soils with and without litter addition were incubated under anaerobic conditions for 244 h. There were three treatments for each forest soil including addition of 0.5 and 1% corresponding litter (gram of litter per gram of soil) and the control without addition of litter.

Results and discussion

The results showed that litter addition into the broad-leaved forest soil had no effect on average rates of denitrification (calculated as the sum of NO, N₂O, and N₂), whereas in the coniferous forest soil, the addition resulted in a significant increase in average denitrification rate. In the broad-leaved forest soil, both rates of litter addition decreased the production of NO but increased the production of N₂, and high rates of litter addition into the coniferous forest soil promoted the reduction of N₂O to N₂.

Conclusions

Increased decomposition of litter in the forest soils could effectively reduce N₂O and NO production through denitrification under anaerobic conditions.     

Impacts of silvicultural practices on the structure of hemi-edaphic macrofauna community

This research determined the influence of six conventional forest management systems on litter-dwelling macrofauna. The forests differed in structure (patch size) and tree composition. Pitfall trapping was carried out in a total of 128 managed stands in the Belgian Ardennes in 1999. We measured the biomass (dry weight) of predators (Arachnida, Carabidae, Staphylinidae and Chilopoda), phytophages (Curculionidae, Homoptera and Elateridae) and detritivores (Lumbricidae, Isopoda and Diplopoda) in young, medium-aged and mature stands in each of the six forest management systems.The major part of the predator biomass consisted of Carabidae in closed-canopy stages and of Arachnida in the regeneration stage. The main phytophagous group trapped was Curculionidae, except in large regenerating stands where Homoptera showed a higher biomass.With respect to forest succession, we obtained higher detritivore biomass in regenerating stands, especially in large ones, higher phytophage biomass in medium-aged stands and higher predator biomass in mature stands.In terms of forest composition, the richest stands as far as biomass and abundance were concerned, were oak forests where predators and detritivores were well represented, followed by coniferous and mixed forests (phytophages). Beech forests appeared to shelter the lowest abundance and biomass of litter-dwelling macro-invertebrates. This impoverishment is partly due to the less favourable edaphic conditions, but also to the silvicultural practices in these forests.When analysing biomass in terms of forest structure, the size of clear-cut patches was one of the most important features distinguishing even-aged and uneven-aged stands.     

Nutrient limitation of litter decomposition with long-term secondary succession: evidence from controlled laboratory experiments

Purpose

Understanding ecosystem processes such as litter decomposition in response to dramatic land-use change is critical for modeling and predicting carbon (C) cycles. However, the patterns of litter decomposition along with long-term secondary succession (over 100 years) are not well reported, especially concerning nutrient limitations on litter decomposition.

Materials and methods

To clarify the response of litter decomposition to changes in soil nutrient availability, we conducted four incubation experiments involving soil and litter and nutrient addition from different successional stages and investigated the changes in microbial respiration and litter mass loss.

Results and discussion

Our results revealed that microbial respiration increased with succession without any litter addition (1.19~1.73 mg C g^?1 soil), and litter addition significantly promoted microbial respiration (16.5~72.9%), especially in the early successional stage (grassland and shrubland). The decomposition rate of the same litter decreased with succession. In addition, nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) addition showed significant effects on litter decomposition and microbial respiration; P addition promoted litter decomposition (2.4~15.3%) and microbial respiration (10.1~34.5%) in all successional stages, while N addition promoted litter decomposition (4.0~10.3%) and microbial respiration (5.4~27.2%) in all except the last stage of succession, which showed a negative effect on litter decomposition (??7.5%) and microbial respiration (??6.1%), indicating possible N saturation of litter decomposition and microbial respiration.

Conclusions

This work highlights that soil nutrient availability and successional stages need to be taken into account to predict the changes to litter decomposition in response to global changes.

     

Differential responses of litter decomposition to nutrient addition and soil water availability with long-term vegetation recovery

The litter decomposition, nutrient patterns, as well as nutrient release and soil nutrient contents were determined in response to nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) addition and drought treatments following long-term vegetation recovery. The litter decomposition rate decreased with vegetation recovery, due to changes in litter quality, soil nutrient availability, and soil enzyme activity. Nitrogen addition promoted litter decomposition in the early recovery stages but inhibited decomposition in the later stages, indicating a shift in the nutrient limitations to litter decomposition with succession. Neither N nor P addition had any effect on the release of litter carbon (C), whereas N addition inhibited litter N release. In addition, drought decreased litter decomposition and nutrient release during the vegetation recovery process. Our findings suggest that litter quality, soil nutrient availability, and moisture at different vegetation recovery stages should be considered when modeling the C cycle and nutrient dynamics in these ecosystems.     

Diversity surfaces and species wave fronts in a soil microarthropod assemblage: Adding the dimension of time

As a general rule, animal species of intermediate size within a given taxonomic group are most abundant in nature. It is not known if these patterns occur in small-bodied taxa, such as soil microarthropods, or how these patterns change through time. Here I show that Oribatida (Acari), the most abundant and diverse arthropod fauna of coniferous forest soils, exhibit this pattern. However, the pattern is more complex than reported for other arthropods. I analyzed the total species surface comprising 6613 individuals and 54 species by forest stand. The underlying pattern consists of 15-year stands and 30-year stands forming two distinct and separated maxima. These results suggest that assemblage patterns form early in the development of ecological communities, and that these patterns appear within the soil assemblage as waves propagating in species–abundance–body size space during forest development. These results also support the assertion that undescribed species will likely be of intermediate size within a group. This analysis contributes to investigations of biodiversity and body size relationships by adding the temporal dimension. Potential applications are in disturbance and indicator studies or other work where changes in assemblage structure are used as measures of disturbance or as response variables in manipulative studies.     

Effects of heavy metal pollution on soil macrofauna in a grassland of Northern France

In the north of France, a century of industrial metallurgic activities produced significant heavy metal soil pollution. In the north of France zinc smelter waste created a gradient of zinc concentration from 171 to 19 000 ppm in 35 m. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of soil pollution on the composition, density and diversity of macrofauna communities. The results showed that heavy metals reduce the overall density of earthworms and other macrofauna populations. The composition of the macrofauna community changed with the degree of pollution. There was no simple relationship between soil zinc content and species richness. In polluted areas, the number of species could be lower, equal or higher than in unpolluted zones. Increase of species richness in some polluted zones was due to the settlement of tolerant arthropod taxa. Coleoptera and some Arachnida were possibly favoured by the litter accumulation resulting from the reduced population densities of earthworms and other decomposers.