Seasonal distribution of Xenylla brevispina (Collembola) in the canopy and soil habitat of a Cryptomeria japonica plantation

We investigated the life cycle and habitat use of an arboreal collembolan species, Xenylla brevispina, in the canopy and soil of a conifer (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don) plantation. The adaptive significance of migration between arboreal and soil habitats in the maintenance of its population in relation to the vertical structure of the forest is discussed. We sampled dead branches with foliage in the canopy (canopy litter) and on the forest-floor (soil litter). X. brevispina had one generation a year throughout the 3 years of the study. The mean densities of X. brevispina were similar in the canopy litter (0.06 to 14.57 g⁻¹ dry weight) and the soil litter (0.44 to 18.99 g⁻¹ dry weight). Seasonal patterns of density and relative abundance indicate that individuals of X. brevispina in the canopy were closely associated with those in the soil. These results suggest that vertical migration between the canopy and the soil might be a strategy allowing X. brevispina to be a predominant collembolan species in this forest.     

Life history attributes of the threatened Australian snake (Stephen's banded snake Hoplocephalus stephensii, Elapidae)

Whether or not a species is threatened by habitat change is influenced by its life-history traits as well as by the nature and severity of the threatening process. Detailed studies of declining taxa can clarify reasons for their vulnerability, both in proximate terms (e.g., taxa with slow growth, delayed maturation, low fecundity and infrequent reproduction will be poorly suited to withstand increases in adult mortality rates) and in an evolutionary perspective (i.e., what attributes of the environment have favoured the evolution of certain life history traits?). We obtained data on life history traits during an intensive radio-tracking study on the threatened arboreal elapid snake Hoplocephalus stephensii from forest habitats of eastern Australia. Based on 39 field-collected specimens, these long, slender snakes (mean adult snout-vent length 73 cm, mass 114 g) feed predominantly on mammalian prey such as Bush Rats (Rattus fuscipes) and Pygmy-possums (Cercartetus nanus); but juveniles also take lizards. Foraging modes are diverse, from active searching through to ambush. Gape-limitation prevents snakes from ingesting adults of the most abundant local rodent (R. fuscipes), limiting the snakes to specialise on sub-adult rats which are only seasonally available. Rates of feeding, growth and reproduction are low; for example, none of 21 wild-caught females was reproductive. However, snakes given access to abundant prey in captivity, rapidly gained in body condition, grew significantly, and subsequently reproduced. Litters consisted of a few (1-9), relatively large (25 cm snout-vent length, 7.5 g) offspring. The “slow” life-history traits that have contributed to endangerment of this taxon may include proximate as well as evolutionary responses to the low temperatures and limited prey availability in the forest habitat of H. stephensii.     

Tree species-mediated spatial patchiness of the composition of microbial community and physicochemical properties in the topsoils of a tropical montane forest

To evaluate the importance of plant-soil feedbacks in forest ecosystems, it is fundamental to understand the spatial range within which plant species control soil physicochemical and microbial properties. We investigated the spatial pattern of soil properties associated with canopy trees in a tropical montane forest on Mt. Kianbalu, Borneo. We analyzed soil physicochemical properties and microbial communities (biomarker lipid abundance) as a function of soil depth and distance from the tree trunk of a conifer (Dacrydium gracilis) or a broadleaf tree (Lithocarpus clementianus). The concentration of condensed tannins and fungi-to-bacteria were higher beneath Dacrydium than beneath Lithocarpus. Furthermore, carbon-degrading enzyme activities were lower beneath Dacrydium. These effects of the tree species were more distinct on soil properties beneath the tree crown than on those outside the tree crown. These effects appeared to be largely due to differences in litter chemistry, and the distinct set of soil properties formed corresponding to the above canopy crown. In conclusion, the species-rich forest on the tropical mountain contains spatially distinct units of soil properties associated with canopy trees, and this spatial pattern can influence ecosystem dynamics in the forest through plant-soil feedback effects.     

Oribatid mite and collembolan diversity, density and community structure in a moder beech forest (Fagus sylvatica): effects of mechanical perturbations

The effects of mechanical perturbations on two soil microarthropod communities (oribatid mites and collembolans) were investigated in a moder beech forest on sandstone. We disturbed the soil matrix by sieving and mixing the litter and soil of the moder profile. The top litter layer (L material) and the deep mineral soil (Bv) remained intact. Three amounts of disturbance were established: a single perturbation, perturbations once every 2 months (60 d) and once every 2 weeks (14 d). Densities of most groups of oribatid mites and all groups of collembolans declined in the disturbance treatments. In most cases, densities were lowest in the strong perturbation treatment (14 d). Desmonomata were the only group of oribatid mites that benefited from intermediate amounts of disturbance but not from the strongest disturbance. Also, disturbances reduced diversity of oribatid mites and collembolans. According to their sensitivity to disturbances oribatid mites ranked Poronota=Enarthronota=Suctobelbidae (the most sensitive)>Oppiidae>Tectocepheus>Desmonomata. The ranking of collembolans was Folsomia (the most sensitive)>Hypogastruridae/Neanuridae>Onychiuridae=Isotomidae>Entomobryidae. Generally, tolerance of disturbance was wider for oribatid mites than for collembolans. The results indicate that disturbances such as mixing of litter and soil and comminution of litter material strongly affect the density and diversity of soil microarthropods. However, they also indicate that the soil microarthropod community is resistant to weaker disturbances. In the field, mechanical disturbances are often caused by burrowing of earthworms. Our results suggest that the high density of microarthropods in moder soils may be due to the low intensities of mechanical disturbances by earthworms.     

Response of soil micro- and mesofauna to diversity and quality of plant litter

The abundance and functional structure of soil micro- (nematodes) and mesofauna (collembolans and mites) in relation to species diversity and initial C:N ratio of plant litter were studied in a field mesocosm experiment. A total of five litter treatments were applied to generate an increasing diversity of plant species (one, three and 12 species) and/or differences in initial C:N ratio of the litter (low, intermediate and high ratio). Samples were taken 3, 6 and 24 months after the litter exposure. On each sampling date litter and underlying sand samples were taken. Our results showed that litter quality, but not litter diversity was the factor which affected the three animal groups under study. The effect of litter was dependent on the time of litter exposure. Nematode fauna colonized litter earlier than the two mesofaunal groups. Nematodes responded apparently to litter quality gradient at early stages of litter decomposition. Three months after the start of the experiment the highest density of nematodes was noticed in single species litter of Trifolium pratense. Bacterial-feeding nematodes dominated in all litter treatments; on the first sampling date their percent share in Trifolium litter reached even 99.9%. Opposite to nematodes at late stages of litter decomposition the two mesofaunal groups seemed to show some preferences for low quality litter of Festuca rubra. Collembolan and nematode diversity was affected in similar way by the litter quality; the lowest diversity of the animal communities was found in the litter of the lowest initial C:N ratio. Maturity index of nematode communities was found to be a good index to differentiate between litters of different quality. The abundance and community structure of the three animal groups in underlying sandy soil was not significantly influenced by experimental conditions.     

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.     

Do plant species of different resource qualities form dissimilar energy channels below-ground?

This study aimed at examining whether plant species of varying resource quality give rise to a fungal- or bacterial-based energy channel in the plants’ rhizosphere, when planted in soil, in which the plant species naturally occur. In an 18-month large-scale laboratory mesocosm experiment, two plant species (Holcus lanatus and Lotus corniculatus) producing labile litter and two plant species (Picea abies and Calluna vulgaris) producing recalcitrant litter were placed in the same mesocosm. This allowed the decomposer biota (microbes, protozoa, nematodes, collembolans, and enchytraeid worms) to freely choose their preferred plant rhizosphere. Because a fungal-based energy channel is in theory regarded to retain nutrients better in the soil than a bacterial-based energy channel, water was collected underneath the plant species and analyzed for its nutrient (N and P) content.In general, the number of soil biota groups responding significantly to the plant treatment increased with time. Soil microbes were the first group to react, but the ability of the plants to boost a clearly fungal- or bacterial-based energy channel was generally weak. However, at the end of the study, a higher fungal-to-bacterial biomass ratio was found beneath Calluna than beneath the other plant treatments. Of the secondary consumers, nematodes were the most responsive group, with total number and especially plant parasites being more abundant beneath Lotus than beneath Picea and Calluna indicating a root-based energy channel to persist under the legume. Protozoa, enchytraeid worms and collembolans responded weakly and inconsistently to plant treatment. Liberation of plant-available nutrients was plant-dependent. Towards the end of the study, less nitrate and phosphate leached through the Picea soils than through the control, which indicates a more effective nutrient retention to take place under this plant species. We found that plant species can, in a relatively short time, modify the composition of the soil decomposer community. However, no consistent evidence for the plant–soil systems developing to separated detritus energy channels emerged, we found a clearly separated root energy channel under the legume L. corniculatus.     

Tree species effects on microbial respiration from decomposing leaf and fine root litter

Tree species have an impact on decomposition processes of woody litter, but the effects of different tree species on microbial heterotrophic respiration derived from decomposing litter are still unclear. Here we used leaf and fine root litter of six tree species differing in chemical and morphological traits in a temperate forest and elucidated the effects of tree species on the relationships between litter-derived microbial respiration rates and decomposition rates and morphological traits, including specific leaf area (cm² g⁻¹) and specific root length (m g⁻¹) of litter at the same site. Litterbags set in forest soil were sequentially collected five times over the course of 18 months. During litter decomposition, microbial respiration from leaf and fine root litter differed among the six tree species. Temporal changes in the remaining mass and morphology (specific leaf area and specific root length) were observed, and the magnitude of these changes differed among species. Positive correlations were observed between respiration and mass loss or morphology across species. These results revealed that litter mass loss and morphological dynamics during decomposition jointly enhanced microbial respiration, and these carbon-based litter traits explained species differences in decomposition of leaves and fine roots. In conclusion, tree species influenced the magnitude and direction of microbial respiration during leaf/fine root litter decomposition. Tree species also affected the relationship between microbial respiration and litter decomposition through direct effects of litter traits and indirect effects mediated by regulation of heterotroph requirements.     

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.     

太行山区主要森林生态系统水源涵养能力

森林生态系统水源涵养功能是林冠层、枯落物层和土壤层对大气降水进行再分配的过程。本文通过文献收集整理太行山地区森林植被林冠一次降水截留量、枯落物层持水量和土壤层贮水量数据,分析该地区主要森林植被对降水的截留和贮蓄能力,采用综合蓄水能力法对森林植被的综合涵养水源能力进行评价,旨在为合理经营和管理森林生态系统提供依据。结果表明:1)土壤非毛管孔隙度与生态系统综合持水量呈正相关,且最大持水量占整个森林生态系统综合持水量的90%以上,表明土壤层作为森林生态系统水文效应最重要的一层,是整个森林系统水分循环的主要贮蓄库和调节器;2)针叶林中油松和侧柏的冠层一次降水截留量显著高于其他林型,其林冠结构更加适应该地区气象条件,林冠层降水再分配能力也优于其他林型;3)混交林郁闭度低,有利于林下灌、草丛的生长,其枯落物现存量比纯林和人工林更高,虽然林冠一次截留量低但林下具有丰富的枯落物层而更易涵养水源;4)天然林综合蓄水能力整体高于人工林,侧柏人工林和油松人工林综合蓄水能力仅次于刺槐、侧柏和油松天然林。综上可见,合理利用森林资源防止水土流失、天然林长期封育和合理控制优势树种密度及增加植被覆盖率对太行山地区植被恢复和生态建设具有重要意义。为提高该区综合水源涵养能力,可增加乡土树种油松和侧柏人工林的种植面积。     

Microfungal communities in soil,litter and casts of Lumbricus terrestris L. (Lumbricidae): a laboratory experiment

The anecic earthworm Lumbricus terrestris L. was kept in laboratory microcosms containing beech forest soil without litter, with beech leaf litter or with lime leaf litter. The structure of microfungal communities in soil, litter and fresh and aged (100 days) earthworm faeces was analysed using the washing and plating technique. The passage of mineral soil through the gut of L. terrestris affected the structure of the fungal community only little. In contrast, in the litter treatments the structure of the fungal community in fresh earthworm casts significantly differed from that in soil and litter. The majority of soil and litter inhabiting fungi survived passage through the gut of L. terrestris and the fungal community in casts consisted of a mixture of soil and litter inhabiting fungi. However, the frequency of Cladosporium spp., Alternaria spp., Absidia spp., and other taxa was strongly reduced in fresh casts. The degree of colonization of litter particles (number of isolates per number of plated particles) also decreased, but some fungi (mainly Trichoderma spp.) benefited from gut passage and flourished in fresh casts. During ageing of cast material the dominance structure of the fungal community changed. Both the degree of colonization of organic particles and the species diversity increased and approached that in soil. However, the structure of the fungal community in casts remained cast specific even after 100 days of incubation. It is concluded that the feeding and burrowing activity of L. terrestris accelerates the colonization of litter by the edaphic mycoflora but also extends the range of occurrence of litter-associated fungi into mineral soil layers.     

The Enchytraeidae of spruce forest plots of different exposure and acid deposition in a German mountain range

Enchytraeidae were studied at spruce forest sites (Harz, Germany) differing in their exposure and soil acidity affected by acid deposition. Total density ranged between 38 000 and 59 000 ind. m^–2 and biomass between 0.5 and 1 g m^–2 d.m. (annual means). Of the seven species recorded, Cognettia sphagnetorum, Marionina clavata, and Achaeta camerani were dominant. The site affected most by acidification had the highest densities and lowest species number. Population dynamics and vertical distributions were affected by climate. Field and laboratory data provide evidence for sexual reproduction in C. sphagnetorum. Substrate preference experiments showed this species to prefer spruce litter from the O_L-Horizon to that from the O_H-Horizon, and spruce litter to beech litter.     

森林植被垂直截留作用与水土保持

本文分析了林冠层、灌木草本层、枯枝落叶层的截留量及其削减的降雨能量,并以六盘山林区各森林流域为例。评论了垂直截留作用对林地土壤和森林流域水量收入的影响,阐明了森林植被垂直结构中各层次在保持水土中的地位。     

Effects of the annual invasive plant Impatiens glandulifera on the Collembola and Acari communities in a deciduous forest

Invasive plants can disturb interactions between soil organisms and native plants and thereby alter ecosystem functions and/or reduce local biodiversity. Collembola and Acari are the most abundant microarthropods in the leaf litter and soil playing a key role in the decomposition of organic material and nutrient cycling. We designed a field experiment to examine the potential effects of the annual invasive plant Impatiens glandulifera on species diversity, abundance and community composition of Collembola and Acari in leaf litter and soil in a deciduous forest in Switzerland. Leaf litter and soil samples were obtained from plots invaded by I. glandulifera since 6 years, from plots in which the invasive plant had been removed for 4 years and from plots which were not yet colonized by the invasive plant. The 45 leaf litter and soil samples were equally distributed over three forest areas, which were differently affected by a wind throw 12 years prior to sampling representing a natural gradient of disturbance. Collembola species richness and abundance in the leaf litter and soil samples were not affected by the presence of the invasive plant. However, the species composition of Collembola was altered in plots with I. glandulifera. The abundance of leaf-litter dwelling Acari was increased in invaded plots compared to the two other plot types. Furthermore, the presence of the invasive plant shifted the composition of Acari individuals belonging to different groups. Our field experiment demonstrates that an annual invasive plant can affect microarthropods which are important for nutrient cycling in various ecosystems.     

Oribatid mite communities and foliar litter decomposition in canopy suspended soils and forest floor habitats of western redcedar forests, Vancouver Island, Canada

Litter decomposition and changes in oribatid mite community composition were studied for 2 years in litterbags collected from arboreal organic matter accumulations (canopy suspended soils) and forest floors associated with western redcedar trees on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. We tested the hypotheses that lower rates of mass loss, higher nutrient levels, and different patterns of oribatid mite richness and abundance in decomposing western redcedar litter would be observed in litterbags associated with canopy suspended soils compared to forest floors. Decomposition, measured by mass loss of cedar litter in litterbags, was not significantly different in canopy and forest floor habitats, although reduced in the canopy. Abundance and richness of oribatid mites inhabiting litterbags were significantly greater on the forest floor compared to the canopy suspended soils. Canopy suspended soils had higher levels of total nitrogen, available phosphorus and potassium than the forest floor, but moisture content was significantly lower in the suspended soils. Higher nutrient levels in the canopy system are attributed to differences in coarse woody debris input (but not foliar litter), combined with reduced nutrient uptake by roots and lower mobilisation rates of nutrients by detritivorous and fungivorous microarthropods. Moisture limitation in the canopy system possibly contributed to lower mass loss in litterbags, and lower abundance and richness of oribatid mites in litterbags placed on canopy suspended soils. Patterns of oribatid mite community composition were related to mite communities associated with the underlying substrate (forest floor or canopy suspended soil) which act as source pools for individuals colonising litterbags. Successional and seasonal trends in oribatid mite communities were confounded by moisture limitation at 24 months, particularly within the canopy habitat.     

Do plant species encourage soil biota that specialise in the rapid decomposition of their litter?

Plants are often nutrient limited and soil organisms are important in mediating nutrient availability to plants. Thus, there may be a selective advantage to plants that alter the soil community in ways that enhance the decomposition of their litter and, hence, their ability to access nutrients. We incubated litter from three tree species (Fagus sylvatica, Acer pseudoplatanus and Picea sitchensis) in the presence of biota extracted from soil beneath a stand of each species to test the hypothesis that litter decomposes fastest in the presence of biota derived from soil where that species is locally abundant. We found that respiration rate, a measure of decomposer activity and carbon mineralisation, was affected by litter type and source of soil biota, whereas, mass loss was only affected by litter type. However, litter from each tree species did not decompose faster in the presence of indigenous soil biota. These findings, therefore, provide no support for the notion that woodland plants encourage the development of soil communities that rapidly decompose their litter.     

Seasonal and age-related changes in the stable isotope composition (15N/14N and 13C/12C) of millipedes and collembolans in a temperate forest soil

Seasonal changes in environmental conditions and biotic interactions are often ignored when using stable isotope analysis for reconstructing the trophic structure of soil communities in temperate ecosystems. In this study, we estimated seasonal and age-related changes in δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N values in three epigeic species of collembolans (Pogonognathellus longicornis, Orchesella flavescens and Isotoma viridis) and two litter-dwelling species of millipedes (Polydesmus denticulatus and Leptoiulus proximus) in deciduous and coniferous forest stands in central Russia. Age-related changes in δ¹³C or δ¹⁵N values were either absent or negligible (within 1‰) in L. proximus, but adult and subadult specimens of P. denticulatus were enriched in ¹⁵N compared to early larval stages. Since the adults of P. denticulatus were generally more enriched in ¹⁵N than adults of L. proximus, they presumably occupy more distinct trophic niches than juveniles do. Age-related changes in isotopic composition were small or absent in collembolans studied. Neither δ¹³C nor δ¹⁵N values of millipedes changed significantly during the vegetation season. In contrast, consistent seasonal changes in δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N values were found in collembolans. Increased δ¹³C values coincided with the period of minimum soil moisture and correlated with a decreased C/N ratio in collembolan tissues. These changes can largely be attributed to the depletion of lipid-rich storage tissues. Seasonal changes in δ¹⁵N values were similar among collembolan species, yet slightly varied between habitats. A general trend of increasing δ¹⁵N values from June to September–October may indicate either a reduced importance of non-vascular plants (algae and lichen) in collembolan diet or variation in the isotopic composition of these plants. Overall, our data show that seasonal variations should be taken into account when estimating the isotopic composition of epigeic collembolans in forest soils.     

Coarse woody debris,soil properties and snails (Mollusca: Gastropoda) in European primeval forests of different environmental conditions

We studied the snail fauna of four primeval forests of Central Slovakia and focused on the influence of forest type and coarse woody debris (CWD) on species assemblages. We found a total of 3281 individuals from 39 species. Species assemblages differed between the forests. In SW-facing oak forests, CWD enhanced the proportion of forest species such as the wood-grazing Cochlodina laminata and decreased the proportion of euryecious species like the litter-dwelling Punctum pygmaeum. In NE-facing beech forests, hygrophilous species such as Carychium tridentatum dominated the assemblages. This litter-dwelling snail was especially abundant close to CWD. The NE-facing beech forests harbored more species and individuals than the SW-facing oak forests did. CWD enhanced snail abundance, species richness and biodiversity, irrespective of forest type. We found positive correlations for abundance and species richness to the amount of leaf litter, C_org, N_tot, Ca²⁺, and K⁺; snail abundance was also positively correlated to soil pH. All these soil chemical factors were higher close to CWD than distant from CWD.     

沙障对不同林龄雨养梭梭林冠下浅层土壤含水量的影响

[目的]分析不同林龄雨养梭梭林冠下浅层土壤含水量在布设沙障后的变化,为沙障生态功能的评价及梭梭生长发育状况的预测提供理论依据。[方法]对5年生幼年林和25年生中年林在布设沙障后冠下0—50cm的土壤含水量、表层结皮厚度、近地表风速等因子进行测定分析。[结果]沙障通过降低近地表气流流速,加速结皮形成等方式提高了梭梭冠下0—50cm的浅层土壤含水量。沙障对5年生梭梭冠下土壤含水量的空间分布格局影响不大,但使25年生梭梭冠下土壤含水量随着与主干距离的增加而单调增加,表现为"干岛效应"。在垂直分布上,25年生梭梭冠下土壤含水量在塑料网沙障区与对照区间呈显著相关(p0.05),而在麦草沙障区与对照区间相关性不显著,其最大土壤含水量的出现深度下降至30—40cm处。[结论]布设机械沙障对退化梭梭林的恢复将起到一定的促进作用,且对中年林梭梭土壤水分的影响大于对幼年林。     

The mycoflora of Eucalyptus maculata leaf litter

The mycoflora of the litter of Eucalyptus maculata was studied using three isolation methods. A total of 45 species, representing 22 genera were isolated from the various litter horizons. A comparison between the fungal flora of the litter (L) and that of the underlying mineral soil (A₁) was also made. It was found that 39 per cent of the species were common to both the forest litter and the soil proper. The composition of the litter fungal flora, however, differed from that of the underlying mineralized soil.