Consumption of introduced oak litter by native decomposers (Glomeridae,Diplopoda)

In view of the predicted climate change in Central Europe, preventive forestry adaptation strategies are currently being developed in Germany to maintain stable forest ecosystems with high biodiversity. Mediterranean, drought-tolerant oak species such as Quercus pubescens, Quercus frainetto and Quercus ilex are being evaluated as future forest trees for German forest sites which are becoming increasingly dry. The present study represents first investigations concerning the influence of these introduced species on local soil-biological processes, especially primary leaf litter decomposition. The feeding activity of native Glomeris marginata was observed with the Mediterranean leaf litter in comparison to litter of local Quercus robur and Fagus sylvatica under laboratory conditions. In the experiments the introduced litter was readily fed upon by local millipede populations. The results furthermore show that the introduced litter is consumed at equal or even higher rates than the litter of native tree species. Leaf litter of the introduced tree species seems to have no or possibly even a positive influence on the feeding activity of G. marginata.     

The fate of condensed tannins during litter consumption by soil animals

Condensed tannins (CT) can strongly affect litter decomposition, but their fate during the decomposition process, in particular as influenced by detritivore consumption, is not well understood. We tested the hypothesis that litter CT are reduced by the gut passage of two functionally distinct detritivores of Mediterranean forests, the millipede Glomeris marginata, and the land snail Pomatias elegans, as a fixed proportion of initial litter CT, but more so in Pomatias since snails are known to have a more efficient enzymatic capacity. Contrary to our hypothesis, both detritivore species reduced litter CT to near zero in their faecal pellets irrespective of the wide range in initial leaf litter CT concentrations of 9-188 mg g⁻¹ d m among three Mediterranean tree species (Pistacia terebinthus, Quercus ilex, Alnus glutinosa) and different decomposition stages of their litter. The almost complete disappearance of CT even from some litter types highly concentrated in CT, due to either degradation by gut microorganism or complexation of CT into insoluble high molecular weight structures, suggests a high “de-tanning” efficiency across functionally distinct detritivore species. The transformation of CT-rich litter into virtually CT-free faecal pellets by detritivores might be highly relevant for the subsequent decomposition process in ecosystems with a high macrofauna abundance and CT-rich plant species such as Mediterranean forests.     

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.     

Site of leaf origin affects how mixed litter decomposes

Recent studies have demonstrated that mass loss, nutrient dynamics, and decomposer associations in leaf litter from a given plant species can differ when leaves of that species decay alone compared to when they decay mixed with other species’ leaves. Results of litter-mix experiments have been variable, however, making predictions of decomposition in mixtures difficult. It is not known, for example, whether interactions among litter types in litter mixes are similar across sites, even for litter mixtures containing the same plant species. To address this issue, we used reciprocal transplants of litter in compartmentalized litterbags to study decomposition of equal-mass litter mixtures of sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marshall) and red oak (Quercus rubra L.) at four forest sites in northwestern Connecticut. These species differ significantly in litter quality. Red oak always has higher lignin concentrations than maple, and here C:N is lower in oak leaves and litter, a pattern often observed when oak coexists with maple. Overall, we observed less mass loss and lower N accumulation in sugar maple and red oak litter mixtures than we predicted from observed dynamics in single-species litterbags. Whether these differences were significant or not depended on the site of origin of the leaves (P<0.02), but there was no significant interaction between sites of decay and the differences in observed and predicted decomposition (P>0.2) . Mixing of leaf litter types could have significant impacts on nutrient cycling in forests, but the extent of the impacts can vary among sites and depends on the origin of mixed leaves even when the species composition of mixes is constant.     

Distribution pattern of woodlice (Isopoda) and millipedes (Diplopoda) in four primeval forests of the Western Carpathians (Central Slovakia)

We collected 1605 isopod individuals (eight species) and 671 diplopod individuals (17 species) in four primeval forests of the Western Carpathians, Central Slovakia, by leaf litter extraction. The forests are of different temperate deciduous forest types varying in tree species, aspect, elevation and soil characteristics. The oak forests, established on southwest oriented slopes at an elevation of 280-600 m, were characterized by Hyloniscus riparius, Porcellium conspersum, Enantiulus nanus and Ophioiulus pilosus. The beech forests, established on northeast oriented slopes at an elevation of 700-1100 m, were characterised by Ligidium hypnorum, Trachysphaera costata and Polyzonium germanicum. A remarkable increase of the total number of species and individuals occurred in both forest types adjacent to coarse woody debris (CWD). Woodlice density close to CWD was between 200 and 630 individuals m⁻² (35-130 individuals m⁻² distant from CWD); millipede density close to CWD ranged from 60 to 230 individuals m⁻² (15-75 individuals m⁻² distant from CWD). Species richness of both taxa close to CWD varied from 13 to 16 species m⁻² (7-12 species m⁻² distant from CWD). Thus, CWD has a significant influence on saprophages. However, structural components such as CWD and the amount of leaf litter did not significantly alter species assemblages. Species at sites distant from CWD were a subset of species at sites close to CWD. According to a canonical correspondence analysis (CCA), ‘forest type’ and ‘elevation within a slope’, as well as chemistry of the upper soil layer, i.e. ‘acidification’ and ‘nutrition’, strongly influenced species assemblages.     

黄土残塬沟壑区阔叶树种枯落叶对针叶林地土壤化学性质的改善效应

为改善人工针叶林地的土壤化学性质退化的问题,通过土壤与枯落叶混合后进行室内培养的方法,研究了黄土残塬沟壑区阔叶树种枯落叶对针叶林地土壤化学性质的改善效应。结果表明:(1)小叶杨枯落叶对侧柏林地土壤碱解氮、有机C和胡敏素的改善效果显著;沙棘枯落叶对油松林地土壤速效磷和侧柏林地土壤pH值、速效磷、速效钾、富啡酸的改善效果显著;柠条枯落叶对油松林地土壤速效钾、有机C、胡敏酸和胡敏素的改善效果显著。(2)对油松林地来说,枯落叶的综合改善效应为:沙棘>柠条>辽东栎>小叶杨>刺槐枯落叶;对侧柏林地来说,枯落叶的综合改善效应为:小叶杨>沙棘>辽东栎>柠条>刺槐枯落叶。     

Palatability trials on hardwood leaf litter grown under elevated CO2: a stable carbon isotope study

The palatability to isopods and microbes of a broad range of hardwood leaf litter, derived from three field CO₂-enrichment experiments in the USA, was investigated, using δ¹³C, to trace the C flow from litter to isopods and to CO₂ respired by microbial decomposition. Leaf litter grown under elevated CO₂ had δ¹³C values ranging from −39 to −45‰, which were significantly different from ambient litter δ¹³C values of around −30‰. Litter palatability to isopods of the Porcellio sp. was tested by incubating ambient- and elevated-CO₂ litter, and a mixture of the two, in the presence of isopods for 14 days, under environmentally controlled conditions; δ¹³C was measured on litter and isopods' body before and after incubation. In an additional experiment, litter was incubated in the absence of fauna for 30 days, and on five occasions the δ¹³C of the CO₂ respired from litter was measured. The ¹³C label was clearly carried from the litter source to the isopods' bodies, and their faeces. For microbial-respired CO₂, δ¹³C was significantly higher than that of the litter source, suggesting preferential degradation of substrates enriched in ¹³C as compared to those in the overall litter. With the exception of Quercus myrtifolia leaf litter, elevated CO₂ did not affect the palatability to isopods nor the microbial degradation of any of the litters, possibly as a result of unaltered litter N concentration. However, significant differences in litter palatability and decay rates were observed among the different species. With this study, the use of isotopically labelled litter material was confirmed as a key methodology that can significantly contribute to the advancement of the understanding of litter decomposition and of the quantification of C fluxes in the process.     

Decomposition and substrate quality of leaf litters and fine roots from three exotic plantations and a native forest in the southwestern highlands of Ethiopia

Substrate quality and decomposition (measured as CO₂ release in laboratory microcosms) of fresh leaf litter and fine roots of Cupressus lusitanica, Pinus patula, Eucalyptus grandis and native forest trees were studied. Changes in litter chemistry in each forest stand were analysed by comparing fresh leaf litter (collected from trees) and decomposed litter from the forest floor. Elemental concentrations, proximate fractions including monomeric sugars, and cross polarisation magic-angle spinning (CPMAS) ¹³C NMR spectra were analysed in leaf litters, decomposed litter and fine roots. Leaf litters and fine roots varied in their initial substrate chemistry with Ca concentration in leaf litters being higher than that in fine roots. In each stand, fine roots had a higher acid unhydrolysable residue (AUR) (except for the Pinus stand), higher holocellulose concentration and lower concentration of water-soluble extractives (WSE) and dichloromethane extractives (NPE) than fresh leaf litter. Likewise, ¹³C NMR spectra of fine roots showed lower alkyl and carboxyl C, and higher phenolic (except P. patula), aromatic and O-alkyl C proportions than leaf litters. Compared with fresh leaf litter, decomposed litter had lower concentrations of potassium, holocellulose, WSE, NPE, arabinose and galactose, similar or higher concentrations of Mg, Ca, S and P, and higher concentrations of N and AUR. CPMAS ¹³C NMR spectra of decomposed litter showed a higher relative increase in signal intensity due to methoxyl C, aromatic C, phenolic C and carboxylic C compared with alkyl C. In a microcosm decomposition study, the proportion of initial C remaining in leaf litter and fine roots significantly fitted an exponential regression model. The decomposition constants (k) ranged between 0.0013 and 0.0030 d⁻¹ for leaf litters and 0.0010-0.0017 d⁻¹ for fine roots. In leaf litters there was a positive correlation between the k value and the initial Ca concentration, and in fine roots there was an analogous positive correlation with initial WSE. Leaf litters decomposed in the order Cupressus>native forest>Eucalyptus∼Pinus, and fine roots in the order Pinus>native forest>Cupressus∼Eucalyptus. In each stand the fine root decomposition was significantly lower than the leaf litter decomposition, except for the P. patula stand where the order was reversed.     

Annual dynamics of phosphatase activities in an evergreen oak litter: influence of biotic and abiotic factors

As part of a study of the processes involved in litter biodegradation, we considered the variations over 1 year of the phosphatase activities in sclerophyllous evergreen oak litter (Quercus ilex L.). Evergreen oak is representative of tree species in the forests of the French Mediterranean area. Acid (E.C. 3.1.3.2.) and alkaline (E.C. 3.1.3.1.) phosphatases, were measured over 13 months in the forest litter, along with several biotic and abiotic variables, potentially involved in the regulation of these enzymes. These comprised moisture, temperature, pH, water-extractable inorganic P (P_I), fungi, culturable heterotrophic bacteria and protein concentrations. Moisture considerably affected the production of proteins and acid phosphatases, probably formed by litter microorganisms. This result corroborated the study of Criquet et al. [Soil Biology and Biochemistry 34 (2002) 1111] which indicated that rainfall was the most important factor regulating the production and the activity of numerous enzymes in sclerophyllous forest litter. However, it appeared that moisture cannot alone predict all of the variations in phosphatase activities and the mineralisation rate of organic P (P_O). Indeed, principal component analyses (PCA) and multiple regressions showed that temperature and bacterial communities were also implicated in phosphatase dynamics and P_O mineralisation. Acid phosphatases were negatively correlated with the temperature, whilst alkaline phosphatases were positively correlated with this variable. The significant correlation obtained between bacteria and P_I concentrations, and the lack of correlation between bacteria and both acid and alkaline phosphomonoesterases, suggest that other important phosphatase types, such as phosphodiesterases, must be strongly implicated in P_O mineralisation of the litter and in the regulation of P microbial metabolism.     

Indirect host effect on ectomycorrhizal fungi: Leaf fall and litter quality explain changes in fungal communities on the roots of co-occurring Mediterranean oaks

Host trees can modify their soil abiotic conditions through their leaf fall quality which in turn may influence the ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungal community composition. We investigated this indirect interaction using a causal modelling approach. We identified ECM fungi on the roots of two coexisting oak species growing in two forests in southern Spain - Quercus suber (evergreen) and Quercus canariensis (winter deciduous)-using a PCR-based molecular method. We also analysed the leaf fall, litter and soil sampled beneath the tree canopies to determine the concentrations of key nutrients. The total mycorrhizal pool was comprised of 69 operational taxonomic units (OTUs). Tomentella and Russula were the most species-rich, frequent and abundant genera. ECM fungi with epigeous and resupinate fruiting bodies were found in 60% and 34% of the identified mycorrhizas, respectively. The calcium content of litter, which was significantly higher beneath the winter-deciduous oak species due to differences in leaf fall quality, was the most important variable for explaining ECM species distribution. The evaluation of alternative causal models by the d-sep method revealed that only those considering indirect leaf fall-mediated host effects statistically matched the observed covariation patterns between host, environment (litter, topsoil, subsoil) and fungal community variables.     

子午岭林区辽东栎、油松、柴松群落特征及其枯枝落叶层水文效应研究

通过野外调查和室内分析相结合的方法,对子午岭林区辽东栎、油松、柴松3种群落的特征及其枯枝落叶层水文效应进行了研究,调查结果表明:(1)子午岭辽东栎林除局部林是与其它林木混交外,一般都是纯林;油松林和柴松林常形成以该种群为主的单优群落,但混有少量阔叶树种.(2)子午岭林区油松林物种多样性指数最大,而柴松林物种不丰富;乔木层、灌木层,草本层这3者的多样性指数呈现出由低到高的特点.(3)子午岭辽东栎林、油松林、柴松林的枯落物蓄积量分别为32.65,48.95和47.30 t/hm2.(4)辽东栎、油松、柴松枯枝落叶最大拦蓄量分别为50.93,70.15和61.68 t/hm2.     

Nutritional Status of Mediterranean Trees Growing in a Contaminated and Remediated Area

Soil contamination may contribute to forest decline, by altering nutrient cycling and acquisition by plants. This may hamper the establishment of a woody plant cover in contaminated areas, thus limiting the success of a restoration program. We studied the nutritional status of planted saplings of Holm oak (Quercus ilex subsp. ballota (Desf.) Samp.), white poplar (Populus alba L.), and wild olive tree (Olea europaea var. sylvestris Brot.) in the Guadiamar Green Corridor (SW Spain) and compared it with established adult trees. Soils in this area were affected by a mine-spill in 1998 and a subsequent restoration program. The spill resulted in soil acidification, due to pyrite oxidation, and deposited high concentrations of some trace elements. In some sites, we detected a phosphorus deficiency in the leaves of Q. ilex and O. europaea saplings, as indicated by a high N:P ratio (>16). For O. europaea, soil contamination explained 40% of the variability in leaf P and was negatively related to chlorophyll content. Soil pH was a significant factor predicting the variability of several nutrients, including Mg, P, and S. The uptake of Mg and S by P. alba was greater in acidic soils. The monitoring of soil pH is recommended since long-term effects of soil acidification may negatively affect the nutritional status of the trees.     

Nutrient release from decomposing leaf litter of temperate deciduous forest trees along a gradient of increasing tree species diversity

In the litter of six deciduous tree species (Fagus sylvatica, Tilia spp., Fraxinus excelsior, Carpinus betulus, Acer pseudoplatanus and Acer platanoides) and in stand-specific litter mixtures, we compared mass loss and nutrient release across diversity levels along a gradient of decreasing proportion of Fagus in stands with similar environmental and physical soil conditions. The litterbag studies ran over 22 months. The decomposition rate constants (k) of the temperate forest species ranged from k = 0.5 for Fagus to k = 1.5-2 for all other tree species. In Fagus, k was closely negatively correlated with the thickness of the litter layer and positively correlated with soil pH and isopod abundance. k was significantly higher in the mixed species stands (except for Carpinus and Fraxinus) and was positively correlated with earthworm abundance. Over the whole incubation time, nutrient amount and release rates of N, P, K, Ca and Mg as well as C-related ratios showed significant differences between tree species but no consistent differences among the diversity levels. Initial C-related nutrient ratios of the leaf litter and abundance of mesofauna and macrofauna were correlated with the length of time lag before nutrient release. We conclude that the mere number of tree species is not the main driver of nutrient release and decomposition processes, but that key groups of the decomposer fauna as well as the characteristic traits of the individual tree species are decisive.     

Leaf litter decomposition in an upper montane rainforest in Sri Lanka

In a field study in an upper mountain rain forest in Sri Lanka leaf litter decay rates for nine tree species were measured using the standard litterbag method. The leaf species showed a wide variation in decomposition rates with k values ranging from 0.19 to 9.6 (t_0.99 values ranging from 0.5 to 24 years), but it was possible to recognize fast, medium and slow decomposition groups. While there were considerable differences in physical and chemical litter properties these were poor predictors of decomposition rates. There was considerable variation in the N, P and lignin contents of mature green leaves and freshly fallen dead leaves of the different tree species. Percent resorption of N varied from 0 (one species) to 56 and of P from 0 (three species) to 73. There were no consistent patterns of nutrient mobilization and net release of N and P in the five leaf litter species studied.     

FT-IR study of the changes in carbohydrate chemistry of three New Jersey pine barrens leaf litters during simulated control burning

Low intensity control burns are a standard fuel reduction management tool used in pine barrens ecosystems. Periodic disturbances through fire can be an important influence on the cycling of nutrients within the ecosystem. Previous studies have shown that the inorganic chemistry of leaf litter residues differs with increasing temperature. Our study compared chemical changes in white oak (Quercus alba), pitch pine (Pinus rigida) and black huckleberry (Gaylussacia baccata), characteristic of the New Jersey pine barrens, during thermal decomposition using FT-IR spectroscopy. Three replicates of senescent leaf material were ground and separately heated for 2 h at: 100, 200, 300, 400 and 550 °C. These temperatures are representative of the range seen in fuel reducing prescribed burns in the pine barrens. Unburned litter of each species was used as a control. An optimization process using varying amounts of KBr and oak litter was performed to develop favorable FT-IR spectral conditions for a sample to KBr ratio of 0.75%. Chemometric analysis of the FT-IR spectra using principal component analysis (PCA) was used to analyze the changes in carbohydrate chemistry of each litter plant species (leaf litter species) at each temperature. In general, it appears that there is clear separation of leaf litter species at the different combustion temperatures. Infrared spectroscopy illustrated that all three species shared wavenumbers characteristic of the primary components of leaves such as cellulose, lignin and hemicellulose. Results from the PCA indicated separation of litter species and species by combustion temperature. PC axis 1 corresponds to the effects of temperature on leaf litter species and PC axis 2 separates the leaf litter species. At the low temperatures (control-200 °C), oak, pine and huckleberry litter species separated from each other. Wavenumbers that contributed to the separation of species at low temperatures belonged to functional group stretching frequencies of outer surface waxes, basic sugars, fatty acids and aldehydes. It appears that oak had more IR bands specific to suberin content. Convergence of these species occurs at 300 °C. Complexity of chemical composition decreases at this particular temperature as is shown by the decrease in wavenumber richness when compared to litters at low and high temperatures. Oak, pine and huckleberry had similar IR spectra showing bands belonging to outer surface wax content, pectin, lignin and hemicellulose. With increasing temperatures (400-550 °C), differences between litter species increased slightly. Plant material was reduced to similar composition due to thermal decomposition, which consisted of inorganic materials such as carbonate, phosphate and sulfate ions and possible fused aromatics.     

茂兰喀斯特森林自然保护区凋落叶分解动态

[目的]研究喀斯特森林生态系统凋落叶分解特征,为喀斯特森林区石漠化防治及水土保持提供科学依据。[方法]采用1 mm网孔孔径分解袋,对茂兰喀斯特森林自然保护区不同树种凋落叶(落叶和常绿叶)在不同坡位的分解状况进行为期18个月的观测研究。研究茂兰喀斯特森林自然保护区凋落叶失重率和干重残留率动态变化、分解速率及养分释放特征。[结果]凋落叶分解过程呈现"快—慢—快"的周期变化,春夏季分解速度快于秋冬季,落叶树种凋落叶分解速度快于常绿树种凋落叶,不同坡位凋落叶的分解速度表现为:下坡中坡上坡。利用Olson模型对凋落叶分解50%和95%所需时间进行估测,发现落叶树种凋落叶分解50%和95%所需时间分别为0.95～1.66 a和4.13～7.19 a,常绿树种凋落叶分解50%和95%所需时间分别为1.14～1.69 a和4.92～7.30 a,二者无显著性差异。凋落叶分解速率低于中亚热带东部常绿阔叶林和常绿落叶阔叶混交林,但比同区域喀斯特次生林与人工林高。落叶树种凋落叶和常绿树种凋落叶的N元素释放模式为富集—释放模式,C含量随分解时间的波动差异显著,总体在不断减少,而C/N比呈逐步下降的趋势。[结论]由于不同树种凋落叶初始养分含量和叶片理化结构的差异,落叶比常绿叶具有更快的分解速率和养分释放速率,对促进喀斯特森林生态系统物质循环起着积极作用。     

Variation in quality and decomposability of red oak leaf litter along an urban-rural gradient

 This study tested whether urban land use can affect the chemistry and decomposability of Quercus rubra L. (red oak) leaf litter in forests within and near a large metropolitan area. Cities may affect the quality of leaf litter directly through foliar uptake of atmospheric pollutants, and indirectly through alterations in local climate and changes in soil fertility caused by pollutant loads and altered nutrient cycling regimes. Using a microbial bioassay, we tested whether red oak leaf litter collected from urban and suburban forests in and near New York City differed in decomposability from litter of the same species collected from rural forests 130 km from the city. We found that oak litter from the urban forests decayed 25% more slowly and supported 50% less cumulative microbial biomass in a laboratory bioassay than rural litter. Rural litter contained less lignin and more labile material than urban litter, and the amounts of these chemical constituents were highly correlated with the decay rate coefficients and integrated microbial growth achieved on the litter. The specific causes of the variation in litter chemistry are not known. The results of this study suggest that decomposer activity and nutrient cycling in forests near large cities may be affected both by altered litter quality and by altered biotic, chemical and physical environments. The sensitivity of the microbial bioassay makes it useful for distinguishing differences in within-species litter quality that result from natural or anthropogenic variation in the environment. Received: 7 January 1999     

Changes of isopod assemblages along an urban–suburban–rural gradient in Hungary

Responses of isopod assemblages to urbanisation were studied along an urban–suburban–rural gradient representing a decrease in the intensity of human disturbance. Pitfall trapping collected six species (Armadillidium vulgare, Porcellio scaber, Porcellium collicola, Trachelipus ratzeburgii, Cylisticus convexus, and Trachelipus rathkii). A. vulgare occurred abundantly in all sites reflecting the broad tolerance and invasive nature of this species. Indicator species analysis demonstrated that P. scaber and T. rathkii were significant quantitative character species for the urban site, while T. ratzeburgii was characteristic for the natural habitats (suburban and rural sites). CANOCO revealed that ground and air temperature show positive correlation with the distribution of P. scaber and T. rathkii, and negative correlation with T. ratzeburgii. Nested ANOVA on trap level showed that there were no significant differences between the number of isopod species and individuals, and the diversity of isopod assemblages in the three studied areas. Significant differences were observed at site level. The results did not support the hypothesis that diversity should decrease in response to habitat disturbance. They also contradicted the intermediate disturbance hypothesis; species richness was not the highest in the moderately disturbed suburban area. Multivariate methods detected that the isopod assemblages of the rural and suburban areas were relatively similar, while that of the urban area was relatively separated.     

Competition between invasive earthworms (Amynthas corticis, Megascolecidae) and native North American millipedes (Pseudopolydesmus erasus, Polydesmidae): Effects on carbon cycling and soil structure

Invasive earthworms can have significant impacts on C dynamics through their feeding, burrowing, and casting activities, including the protection of C in microaggregates and alteration of soil respiration. European earthworm invasion is known to affect soil micro- and mesofauna, but little is known about impacts of invasive earthworms on other soil macrofauna. Asian earthworms (Amynthas spp.) are increasingly being reported in the southern Appalachian Mountains in southeastern North America. This region is home to a diverse assemblage of native millipedes, many of which share niches with earthworm species. This situation indicates potential for earthworm-millipede competition in areas subject to Amynthas invasion.In a laboratory microcosm experiment, we used two ¹³C enriched food sources (red oak, Quercus rubra, and eastern hemlock, Tsuga canadensis) to assess food preferences of millipedes (Pseudopolydesmus erasus), to determine the effects of millipedes and earthworms (Amynthas corticis) on soil structure, and to ascertain the nature and extent of the interactions between earthworms and millipedes. Millipedes consumed both litter species and preferred red oak litter over eastern hemlock litter. Mortality and growth of millipedes were not affected by earthworm presence during the course of the experiment, but millipedes assimilated much less litter-derived C when earthworms were present.Fauna and litter treatments had significant effects on soil respiration. Millipedes alone reduced CO₂ efflux from microcosms relative to no fauna controls, whereas earthworms alone and together with millipedes increased respiration, relative to the no fauna treatment. CO₂ derived from fresh litter was repressed by the presence of macrofauna. The presence of red oak litter increased CO₂ efflux considerably, compared to hemlock litter treatments.Millipedes, earthworms, and both together reduced particulate organic matter. Additionally, earthworms created significant shifts in soil aggregates from the 2000-250 and 250-53 μm fractions to the >2000 μm size class. Earthworm-induced soil aggregation was lessened in the 0-2 cm layer in the presence of millipedes. Earthworms translocated litter-derived C to soil throughout the microcosm.Our results suggest that invasion of ecosystems by A. corticis in the southern Appalachian Mountains is unlikely to be limited by litter species and these earthworms are likely to compete directly for food resources with native millipedes. Widespread invasion could cause a net loss of C due to increased respiration rates, but this may be offset by C protected in water-stable soil aggregates.     

小流域水土保持生态修复区森林枯落物的持水性能

 在山东省邹城市刘庄小流域水土保持生态修复区内,对5种森林植被类型的枯落物持水性能进行了研究。结果表明:①枯落物层具有明显的蓄水、保水作用。不同森林类型枯落物最大持水率为850%～1982%,其中阔叶林明显高于针叶林;但由于针叶林具有较大的枯落物蓄积量,因此,针叶林仍能维持较高的蓄水功能。不同森林类型枯落物最大持水量为154～253mm,其中针阔混交林和针叶林高于阔叶林,具体顺序为麻栎+侧柏>侧柏>赤松+侧柏>麻栎>刺槐。②不同森林类型枯落物持水量和吸水速率,随时间的动态变化规律基本相似。随浸水历时的延长,枯落物持水量呈增加趋势,但当枯落物在水中浸泡8h时,持水量达到较大值,之后增加浸泡时间 ,持水量增加幅度较为平缓。不同森林类型枯落物吸水速率,在前4h内变化最快,以后逐渐变缓,24h时吸水基本停止。③不同森林类型枯落物有效拦蓄水深为0 61～143mm,针阔混交林>阔叶林>针叶林;具体顺序为麻栎侧柏>刺槐>麻栎>侧柏>赤松+侧柏。