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.     

人工油松林中跳虫群落恢复状况

Large areas of forest plantations have been developed in China.It is important to evaluate the soil fauna in plantations and the conditions needed for their recovery in view of the large areas of plantations in China.Three Pinus tabulaeformis forests,a 26-year-old plantation (P26) and a 45-year-old plantation (P45),exposed to clear-cutting before plantation,and an 80-260-year-old natural forest (N260),were chosen to study the effects of different forest ages/types on Collembola community in the litter and soil layers during 2008 and 2009.Soil conditions in P26 and P45 were significantly deteriorated when compared to N260.A higher value of soil bulk density and lower values of soil organic matter,soil N,litter depth,soil pH,and soil water content were observed in P26 and P45.Totally,the same genera of Collembola tended to occur in the forests of all ages studied;however,the Collembola community structure was significantly impacted by the differences in forest age.Both in the litter and soil layers,the density and generic richness of the Collembola were the highest in N260 and the lowest in P26.Some collembolan groups were sensitive to soil conditions in particular forest ages.N260 was associated with relatively high abundance of Plutomurus collembolans and P45 with relatively high abundance of Pseudofolsomia collembolans.The canonical correspondence analysis showed that the community structure of Collembola was mainly affected by forest age in both litter and soil layer.The ordination analysis of non-metric multidimensional scaling also found that the Collembola community did not recover to the level of natural forests in 26-year regeneration after clear-cutting.Even in 45-year regeneration after clear-cutting,the Collembola community only showed a slight recovery to the level of natural forests.Our results clearly showed that both Collembola community and soil conditions did not recover in 26-and 45-year regeneration after clear-cutting in P.tabulaeformis plantations;however,they might have the potential to recover in the future because the same genera of Collembola were distributed in the plantations and natural forests.     

Relationships between Collembola,soil chemistry and humus types in forest stands (France)

Soil samples were taken under four tree species in various forest sites located in southern France. For each sampled A horizon of the soil profile, pH, organic matter content, C:N ratio and amounts of exchangeable cations (K, Ca, Mg) were measured, and collembolan fauna was extracted using Berlese-Tullgren funnels. A total of 78 species representing 11 families and 47 genera were identified. The relationships between Collembola and soil parameters were determined by co-inertia analysis which corresponds to the simultaneous Correspondence Analysis of the collembolan data table and the Multiple Correspondence Analysis of the environmental data table. The analysis revealed that the distribution of 10 species was related to pH, organic matter content via C and N and to base cations (K, Ca, Mg). Samples, linking these collembolan species and chemical parameters, were clustered according to humus forms. Collembola seem to be linked closer to the physical structure of humus than to its chemical parameters. Their specific contribution to pedogenetic processes as yet remains to be clarified.     

The effects of mixed broad-leaved trees on the collembolan community in larch plantations of central Japan

The effects of broad-leaved trees on the collembolan community in larch plantations were investigated at the foot of Mt. Yatsugatake (1200–1400 m a.s.l.) in Japan. The study sites comprised five pure larch plantation plots (larch dominated more than 95% of the area at breast height) and five mixed forest plots (larch dominated between 50% and 80% of the area at breast height). We compared the collembolan community structures between stand types and related them to the plant community composition and soil properties at each plot. Density and species richness of Collembola were not significantly different between pure larch and mixed plots. Using partial redundancy analysis (pRDA), the variance of collembolan species data in the litter layer was explained by the biomass of grass on the forest floor, and the variance in the soil layer was explained by the biomass of total forest floor plants. These results suggest that the biomass or the composition of forest floor plants influence the collembolan community more than the crown trees in this area.     

Climatic and litter fall effects on collembolan and oribatid mite species and communities in a beech wood based on a 7 years investigation

During a period of 7 years, between 1989 and 1995, Collembola and Oribatida were investigated in a beech forest on an acid Dystric Cambisol soil in northern Germany. Precipitation and temperature at a nearby climate station were recorded, and litter fall in the forest was measured. For 23 collembolan and 27 oribatid mite species, an analysis was performed concerning the influence of the climate parameters or litter fall on yearly assemblages or single species. Climate influence on the community structure was weak. Composition of the assemblages was relatively constant throughout the period of 7 years. A significant effect was determined for mean annual temperature and July precipitation only. More distinct effects were found in single species. In total, nine collembolan and six oribatid mite species were significantly influenced by litter fall, mean annual temperature, mean January temperature, mean July temperature, total precipitation or July precipitation. Reaction time ranged between 1 and 12 months. Four collembolan species reacted with a retarded yearly occurrence on deep spring temperature. Species diversity of Collembola was negatively correlated with total litter fall, while in oribatid mites the diversity showed a positive correlation.     

Influence of drought and litter age on Collembola communities

A field experiment was carried out to study the impact of drought and litter quality on the structure and performance of collembolan communities. The hypothesis was tested that changes in substrate humidity and resource quality significantly influence decomposition processes via alterations in soil faunal community structure. Litterbags (1000 μm mesh size) containing either freshly fallen or aged spruce litter were placed on the floor of a German spruce forest for one year. The bags were exposed to either ambient conditions (control) or drought (covered with roofs). Drought-induced changes in biological parameters were associated with a strong reduction in decomposition rates. Moreover, drought stress decreased Collembola abundance and species richness. The influence of drought on some microbiological parameters strongly depended on the litter age. A comparison of the two litter treatments revealed major effects of litter age on microbiological and physico-chemical parameters, but no effects on Collembola abundance and species richness. A detailed analysis of the collembolan community structure showed that certain species are highly adapted to specific characteristics of the substrate and thus rapidly respond to changes in microhabitat conditions.     

铅锌矿区周边农田土壤跳虫群落特征与重金属污染的关联

以云南兰坪铅锌矿区周边的农田为对象,按距矿区距离设四条样带,每个样带按距河流由近至远等距选3个样点进行定量采样,测定和分析土壤跳虫物种多样性和群落结构、土壤重金属含量和理化性质、及跳虫体内的铅含量。共获跳虫26种,平均密度12042ind·m2。样点与矿区或河流距离增加,土壤中镉、铅和锌含量下降,跳虫体内重金属含量下降,物种丰富度(种数)、丰富度指数和个体数多度(密度)均呈增加趋势,且对重金属有效态的响应大于重金属全量,以种数和体内重金属含量最为明显。棘跳属的Onychiurus sp.的个体数多度与有效态铅呈明显负相关,等节跳属Isotoma的三个种均与全镉及有效态含量呈负相关,而其中的Isotoma sp. 3与全锌及有效态含量呈负相关,但Lepidocyrtus sp.与镉、铅、锌全量均呈正相关,以上物种有作为相应重金属污染评价指示种的潜力。此外,Onychiurus sp.和白棘跳Onychiurus folsomi与土壤有机质含量呈正相关,吉井氏球角跳Hypogastrurayosii与土壤pH负相关,Isotomasp.1与土壤pH和土壤容重呈正相关,以上物种有作为土壤质量指示种的潜力。     

Effects of rhizospheres on the community composition of Collembola in a temperate forest

Influence of living roots on the community composition of Collembola was investigated in a coniferous forest of Chamaecyparis obtusa. We conducted a buried pot experiment that constructed two different systems for carbon (C) availability. We used two types of pots with or without a C. obtusa seedling. The former pots were used to make a system with soil including living roots (i.e. a system based on root-derived and litter-derived C), while the latter was equivalent to soil system without living roots (i.e. a system based on litter-derived C). After 8 months, we harvested the pots and examined the collembolan community and environmental factors. The presence of living roots affected collembolan abundance and species-specific responses. These changes could be explained in terms of leaf biomass of the seedlings, indicating a possible linkage between above-ground productivity and collembolan community. Given the possibility that root-derived C is associated with aboveground plant mass, we speculate that collembolan community responds to root-derived C. The three dominant species, which are widespread in Japanese temperate forests, were more abundant in the presence of living roots. Moreover they were positively correlated with leaf biomass in the system with a seedling, again suggesting the fundamental importance of living roots for the organisation of the collembolan community.     

The Collembola community of a Central European forest: Influence of tree species composition

The present study investigates the response of the Collembola community to replacement of beech by spruce or by mixed stands of beech and spruce in the Solling mountains (Germany). The study was carried out in three beech (Fagus sylvatica), spruce (Picea abies) and mixed stands of beech and spruce arranged in three blocks. The density, diversity and community structure of Collembola as well as microbial and abiotic parameters in the organic layers and mineral soil of the three spruce, three beech and three mixed stands were investigated. Major results are: (i) Collembola communities did not differ strongly between stand types and were dominated by Folsomia quadrioculata and Mesaphorura species, (ii) neither total abundance of Collembola nor densities of the hemiedaphic species F. quadrioculata, Parisotoma notabilis and Isotomiella minor significantly responded to stand type, (iii) in the mixed stands the fungal biomass was increased leading to high densities of fungal feeding Collembola (e.g. Mesaphorura sp.) and high species numbers of Collembola, (iv) the density of the epedaphic and partly herbivorous group Entomobryidae/Tomoceridae in the spruce stands exceeded that in the mixed and beech stands; presumably this was due to the higher diversity of the ground vegetation in the spruce stands. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) of the collembolan communities of L/F and H/Ah horizons also indicated that most of the epedaphic species were associated with the spruce stands. Moreover, results of the CCA indicated that soil pH is an important structuring force for collembolan communities. Overall, results suggest that stand type impact collembolan communities, presumably via changes in the amount and quality of food resources, such as fungal biomass and living plant material. However, differences in collembolan community structure between the investigated stand types were moderate supporting earlier findings that Collembola generally respond little to changes in the vegetation structure.     

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.     

Succession of collembolan communities during decomposition of leaf and root litter: Effects of litter type and position

Little is known about the collembolan community involved in the decomposition of fine root (≤2.0 mm in diameter) litter, which is largely different from leaves in both litter quality and position. The collembolan communities involved in root and leaf litter decomposition were compared in a litterbag experiment in a coniferous forest of Chamaecyparis obtusa. A two-factor experiment (litter type × litter position) was conducted to evaluate the relative effects of litter quality and position. Litterbags of roots and leaves were each placed at two positions (on the soil surface and in the soil), and were collected at seven different times over three years. Abundance and biomass of Collembola involved in root decomposition in the soil were higher than those involved in leaf decomposition on the soil surface, and the collembolan community composition largely differed between these two types of litterbag. Differences between root and leaf decomposition were mainly caused by litter position, but effects of litter type were also detected at species-level. Species that preferred roots were abundant at an early stage of litter decomposition in the soil. Because the early stage of decomposition in the soil is naturally achieved only by root litter initially deposited in the soil, root litter may function as an essential resource for certain species. The results of this study indicate that root litter contributes to collembolan community organization as a spatially and qualitatively different resource than leaf litter. This also suggests that root litter is decomposed via different soil faunal processes than leaf litter.     

Translocation of surface litter carbon into soil by Collembola

Soil invertebrates are important in nutrient cycling in soils, but the degree to which mesofauna such as Collembola are responsible for the direct movement of carbon (C) from the litter layer into soil has not yet been ascertained. We used naturally occurring stable C isotopic differences between a C₄ soil and alder leaves (C₃) to examine the effect of the collembolan Folsomia candida on C translocation into soil in laboratory microcosms. Collembolan numbers greatly increased in the presence of alder, but despite large collembolan populations there were no changes in decomposition rate (measured as litter mass loss, cumulative respired CO₂ and alder C:N ratios). Small changes in the δ¹³C values of bulk soil organic matter were detected, but could not be assigned to collembolan activity. However, mean δ¹³C values of soil microbial phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs) were significantly lower in the presence of alder and Collembola together, demonstrating that collembolan activities resulted in greater availability of litter-derived C to the soil microbial community. Additionally, the presence of Collembola resulted in the translocation of alder-derived compounds (chlorophyll and its breakdown product pheophytin) into soil, demonstrating that Collembola modify soil organic matter at the molecular level. These results are consistent with deposition of collembolan faeces in underlying soil and demonstrate that despite their small size, Collembola contribute directly to C transport in the litter-soil environment.     

Effects of foliar and soil insecticide applications on the collembolan community of an early set-aside arable field

Effects of foliar and soil insecticide applications on collembolan density and community structure were investigated in an early set-aside arable field. Insecticides were applied separately and in combination to the soil surface (chlorpyrifos) and vegetation (dimethoate). The treatments were established to investigate effects of above- and below-ground insects on plant succession. Starting in 1997, the insecticides were applied from April to November at 2-week (dimethoate) or monthly intervals (chlorpyrifos). Samples were taken in 2000 prior to and after insecticide application in March and June, respectively. Both insecticides are lethal to Collembola and insecticide applications resulted in a strong decline in the density of total Collembola. Application of chlorpyrifos reduced collembolan density to a greater extent than dimethoate; the effect of the combined application on total collembolan numbers was similar to that of chlorpyrifos only. Collembolan numbers recovered after the insecticide applications in 1999, but in the treated plots populations were still reduced in March 2000 before the re-application of insecticide treatments in that year. The insecticide applications changed the dominance structure of the collembolan community, but had no effects on species composition. The results may be of relevance for the interpretation of studies on plant–insect herbivore interactions using insecticides.     

弹尾目昆虫在土壤重金属污染生态风险评估中的应用

土壤弹尾目昆虫作为无脊椎动物和中型土壤动物的典型代表,其具有丰富的种类和巨大的生物量,在重金属污染环境评估中具有十分重要的地位和独特的优势。本文简要概述弹尾目昆虫在污染土壤生态风险评估中、生态毒理学研究以及其他相关生物标志物研究上的一些方法体系及检测主要指标参数（群落结构,种群特征,生存率,生长率,繁殖率,金属硫蛋白和酶活指标）。最后对弹尾目昆虫在重金属污染土壤生态风险评估应用中目前存在的一些问题和应用前景进行了分析讨论。     

Combined effects of abiotic factors on Collembola communities reveal precipitation may act as a disturbance

Global increases in temperature and atmospheric CO₂, coupled with increasingly sporadic and intense precipitation regimes, may affect the biodiversity of boreal forest communities, potentially leading to shifts in functional process rates such as decomposition. However, the effects of these factors on microarthropod community composition have not been thoroughly studied in combination in controlled settings. We conducted a full factorial experiment exposing moss/soil mesocosms to three temperatures (11.5, 15.5, and 19.5 °C), two CO₂ levels (430 ppm and 750 ppm), and three moisture levels (drought, intermediate, and saturated conditions) for 18 weeks. Following treatment, we quantified effects on species diversity of a representative group of mesofaunal microarthropods, the Collembola. We also quantified the effects of these factors on the distribution of collembolan body sizes as an indicator of functional changes in the community. We found that moisture regime was a dominant factor, with increased precipitation leading to decreased collembolan abundance and richness. The mechanisms of these detrimental effects are unclear but may be due to the saturation of air-filled soil pore space or competition with moisture-tolerant species. Severe precipitation regimes caused a general loss of abundance in species of all sizes, which may have long term effects on boreal forest soil food webs.     

Growth of the collembolan Folsomia candida Willem in soil supplemented with glucose

Freely available glucose improves the conditions for soil microorganisms which are utilized as food by Collembola. We examined the effects of glucose application on collembolan (Folsomia candida Willem) growth and on several biotic and abiotic soil parameters (microbial biomass, soil respiration, qCO₂, dissolved organic carbon, inorganic nitrogen, and Olson-P) in an artificial system without predatory pressure on Collembola. Glucose addition increased soil respiration and qCO₂, and decreased nutrient levels in the soil. Collembolan growth increased with increasing glucose doses. We conclude that the availability of carbon substrates can sustain collembolan growth via an improvement of microbial growth conditions.     

Changes in the fauna and its contribution to mass loss and N release during leaf litter decomposition in two deciduous forests

Investigations on the mass loss of leaf litter were carried out between 1992 and 1994 using litter bags of 0.02 mm and 5 mm mesh sizes in a beech and a mixed forest in northern Germany. The two forests on moder humus differed in soil faunal composition, vegetation type, and nutrient supply. Mass loss and N and C concentrations were determined from the litter at bimonthly intervals. From subsamples macrofauna were sorted by hand and mesofauna was extracted by heat. The biomass and N content of the litter bag fauna was estimated. Mass loss, particularly that attributed to the fauna, was different between the two sites with highest rates in the mixed forest and lowest at the beech site. A significantly higher rate of N release was found for the litter extracted from 5 mm mesh size litter bags in the mixed forest but not in the beech forest. Collembola and Cryptostigmata changed in numbers during litter breakdown. Collembola reached high numbers in the beginning, whereas Cryptostigmata dominated later. The diversity of Cryptostigmata increased at both sites during litter breakdown, whereas collembolan diversity only increased in the beech forest and remained at the same level in the mixed forest. Several species of Collembola and Cryptostigmata occurred earlier in the mixed forest than in the beech forest. Mass loss rate attributable to the fauna did not correspond to total faunal biomass. Only Isopoda, Diplopoda and Cryptostigmata appeared to affect the mass loss positively, whereas the biomass of Lumbricidae was negatively correlated with mass loss, particularly in the beech forest. On the other hand, the release of N attributable to the fauna was positively correlated with the total faunal biomass in the beech forest and Lumbricidae in particular were positively correlated with N-release at both sites.     

Microhabitats of Collembola (Insecta: Entognatha) in beech and spruce forests and their influence on biodiversity

Collembolan communities were studied in 41 microhabitats in beech and spruce forests of south ( ofín and umava) and central (Jevany) Bohemia. The communities of Collembola were analysed using TWINSPAN and CANOCO programs. The aim of this study was to establish differences between patch (microhatitat) communities and the main forest community in spruce and beech forests, the differences between both types of forests and among different regions of Bohemia. Further questions were: is there a difference in microhabitat communities during secondary forest succession? do some species live exclusively in one or few microhabitats? and does microhabitat diversity influence the biodiversity in forest soils? Material comprising  25 590 specimens of Collembola belonging to 142 species was analysed. Highly significant differences were determined between microhabitat communities in beech and spruce forests, as well as among forests in different regions of Bohemia. Significant differences were also found among microhabitats in forests of different ages. Also, some microhabitat communities of Collembola, e.g. moss on boulders, were significantly different from their main forest community. Certain collembolan species existed exclusively in one or two microhabitats. Patches therefore influenced substantially biodiversity in these forest soils.     

Soil collembolan communities on north- and south-facing slopes of an eastern Mediterranean valley

The present paper includes the first comprehensive list of a collembolan community in a site in Israel. Comparison was made between the assemblage of collembolan species on the north- and south-facing slopes of Lower Nahal Oren, Mt. Carmel, Israel. The valley runs from east westward. Its slopes, only 100 m apart at the bottom, contrast sharply due to the much higher solar radiation on the south-facing slope. The assemblage of Collembola found includes 50 Arthropleona and 20 Symphypleona species, including 14 species that are new to science. Arthropleona species richness was very similar on the north slope (43) and the south-facing slope (41). In contrast, a rich assemblage of Symphypleona was recorded on the north-facing slope (19 species), but only eight were recorded on the south-facing slope. Differences in species richness were found between and within slopes according to altitude zone, soil depth and vegetation. Collembola of the alluvial zone on the contrasting slopes were more similar to each other than those of the alluvial zone on each slope with its adjacent altitudinal zone on the same slope.     

The relationship between the organic matter composition of a forest floor and the structure of a soil arthropod community

The relationship between the amount and conposition of organic matter of a forest floor and the structure of the soil arthropod community was investigated in a temperate mixed forest of beech and pine trees. Seven enivronmental variables, i.e. broad leaves, pine needles, twigs, roots, others, total organic matter (sum of broad leaves, pine needles, twigs and others) and water content, were related to the soil arthropods in the statistical analysis. Pearson correlation was used to analyze the relation between environmental variables and total abundance of Collembola, Oribatida and Mesostigmata. Total abundance of Collembola and Oribatida did not show a clear correlation with total organic matter. Total abundance of Mesostigmata showed the positive correlation with broad leaves or total organic matter. The result in this study might be due to the fact that ‘organic matter’ treated in this study was the material which was left on the 2 mm mesh sieve, and most of small fragmental organic matter in the F or H layer was not included. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) was used to relate the variables of the organic matter to the community organizations of Collembola and Oribatida. CCA ordination indicated that the total amount of organic matter was the most important variable for the organization of both communities. These results suggest that the amount and composition of organic matter influenced the community organization of soil arthropods in a mixed forest.