蒋家沟流域雨季降水中氢氧同位素特征分析

通过分析蒋家沟流域2001—2009年内降雨资料,发现降雨频率服从幂指数分布,分析蒋家沟流域2010年雨季降水的氢氧同位素组成,得出当地大气降水线,其截距与我国大气降水线相比较小,这与研究区地处内陆干热河谷、蒸发作用强烈有关;降水中氘盈余7月中旬之前较大,均为正值,7月中旬到8月中旬由于空气湿度相对较高,氘盈余减小,8月中旬之后,随着空气湿度重新减小,d值增大;根据次降雨采集的降水样品分析,δ18 O显示出明显的降水量效应,即降水量较大的降水场次内δ18 O较小,在同一场降雨内,δ18 O也随着降雨时间的持续和降水量的增加而呈减小趋势;受山区降雨的随机性影响,蒋家沟流域内稳定同位素的高程效应较为反常,海拔越高的地方,δ18 O越大。     

新疆地区大气降水中稳定同位素的变化特征

大气降水是水循环中重要的输入因子,对其同位素组分的研究有助于深入了解水循环过程及其结构具有重要的意义.研究新疆乌鲁木齐地区1986-2002年大气降水的氢氧同位素组成,提出大气降水线方程,并与全国及全球降水线方程进行对比,揭示该降水线方程的特征.研究表明:乌鲁木齐水分来源复杂,主要是西风带输送的海洋水汽和局地的蒸发,大气降水的加权平均18O与月平均气温相关关系显著,与雨量效应(降水量效应)较相关,降水中温度效应明显,且在一定时期很大程度上其影响掩盖了雨量效应.乌鲁木齐降水中δ18O的季节变化与温度的季节变化几乎一致,温度是制约降水中稳定同位素变化的主要影响因子.     

黄土高原丘陵沟壑区流域不同水体氢氧同位素特征——以纸坊沟流域为例

为系统、全面地研究黄土高原丘陵沟壑区流域降水、地表水、土壤水的氢氧同位素特征,以纸坊沟流域为研究对象,通过测定流域范围内2015年3—9月降水、地表水、刺槐林土壤水和荒草地土壤水的氢氧同位素组成,分析了各水体氢氧同位素的δD-δ~(18) O关系和季节变化特征,阐明了土层深度、植被类型、坡向和坡位等下垫面因素对土壤水氢氧同位素的影响。结果表明:该流域当地大气降水线方程为δD=6.71δ~(18) O~-_3.22(n=18,R~2=0.96),地表水的蒸发线方程为δD=6.77δ~(18) O-5.32(n=13,R~2=0.72),土壤水的蒸发线方程为δD=3.50δ~(18) O~-_34.00(n=756,R~2=0.76);各水体δ~(18) O富集程度为:刺槐林土壤水≈荒草地土壤水降水地表水。降水与土壤水(刺槐林和荒草地)δ~(18) O季节效应明显,浅层50cm土壤水的平均传输时间约为1个月;地表水δ~(18) O变幅较小、组成均一、季节效应不明显,推断其为多次历史降水混合形成;4种下垫面因素对浅层50cm土壤水氢氧同位素影响程度为:土层深度坡向植被类型坡位。其中,土层深度对浅层土壤水δ~(18) O影响达到极显著水平。不同土层间土壤水δ~(18) O差异性随土层深度差值的增大而增大,且深度差超过15cm后呈极显著差异,推断纸坊沟流域地表15cm土层为受降水和蒸发影响的土壤水分活跃区。     

黄土塬区土壤水分运动的氢氧稳定同位素特征研究

根据测得的长武塬区降水和土壤水中氢氧稳定同位素组成,研究不同层位土壤水中氢氧稳定同位素组成的变化规律及其与水分转换与迁移的关系。结果表明,土壤水中δD和δ18 O的变化范围分别为(-77.15‰)~(-24.89‰)和(-13.00‰)~(-3.39‰),平均值和标准差分别为-51.50‰和9.09‰,-7.22‰和1.45‰,其变化幅度远小于降水中δD和δ18 O值的变化幅度。土壤水中δD和δ18 O在当地降水线两侧分布,其关系为:δD=4.495δ18 O-19.05,降水进入土壤后在土表后重氢氧同位素分馏明显。表层土壤中δD和δ18 O值受降水直接影响明显,下层土壤所受影响减小。土壤水中δD和δ18 O值在30cm土层处最大,向下迅速减小,100cm以下变化较小。下层土壤水中δD和δ18 O值受其上部土壤水中δD和δ18 O值的影响,降水进入土壤后,向下入渗过程中与浅层自由水发生不同程度的混合;150cm处土层土壤水中δD和δ18 O值动态变化过程中存在突变,表明黄土在局部土体内有大孔隙,可导致土壤水分以"优先流"的形式向下入渗。     

某滑坡区地下水起源及形成机制

根据某滑坡区地下水氢氧同位素组成测试成果,系统地研究了该区地下水的起源及形成机制,研究表明,该区地下水具有大气降水补给的特点,其同位素组成具有明显的温度效应和海拔效应,温泉与冷泉水的出露与区域高热流值和构造以及大气降水的补给量有着密切的关系。     

元阳梯田水源区林地降水与土壤水同位素特征

利用2014年5—11月元阳梯田水源区林地采样点上的20个降水数据和216个土壤水数据,对元阳梯田水源区大气降水及土壤水δD和δ~(18)O的变化进行了分析,明确了降水与土壤水的氢氧同位素特征,并探讨了降水对土壤水的影响。结果表明,研究区大气降水δD和δ~(18)O的变化范围分别为(-97.4‰)~(-47.5‰)和(-13.2‰)~(-6.5‰),区域大气降水线(LMWL)为δD=6.84δ~(18)O-5.69,与昆明的降水线接近,这主要与研究区和昆明所处的大气环流背景、水汽来源相同有关;0—100cm土壤剖面内,土壤水中δD值随深度的增加呈现"S"形或反"S"形,0—40cm土层土壤水的δD和δ~(18)O值分布于LMWL两侧,而60—100cm处的同位素值分布集中且偏离降水线,表明随着深度的增加,土壤水受大气降水和外界蒸发条件的影响减弱;林地坡上40cm土层比表层贫化重同位素,坡下位置植物覆盖度较小,土壤水容易受到外界环境的影响而坡中位置整个剖面δD值的变化不大。     

福州降水稳定同位素对ENSO事件的响应机制

ENSO事件背景下的水汽源区变化在很大程度上影响着季风区水循环过程,基于福州的降水同位素及气象数据,研究了ENSO背景下δ~(18 )O的时空分布特征,并利用OLR(向外长波辐射)技术进一步探索降水中氢氧同位素特征对ENSO事件及水汽源区变化的响应机制。结果表明:水汽源区变化主要通过影响降水的年内分配,特别是雨季降水的时间分配状况影响δ~(18 )O的年际变化;各事件年大气降水线方程有着规律性的变化,拉尼娜年凸显出海洋性较强的气候特征;厄尔尼诺年减弱雨季降水量效应而增强旱季反温度效应,拉尼娜年则削弱旱季反温度效应;通过OLR场反演的水汽源区变化与福州稳定同位素特征有着较强的对应关系,西太平洋水汽源区的位置与对流强度的变化是ENSO事件年中影响福州降水稳定同位素变化的主要因素。     

基于氘盈余分析季节性降水对浅层地下水的补给——以鹰潭孙家农田小流域为例

本研究基于氢氧稳定性同位素技术,分析了2012年4月至2014年3月孙家农田小流域降水、灌溉水和地下水的氢氧同位素季节变化规律,并应用δD-δ18O关系图和氘盈余质量平衡法分别确定了研究区浅层地下水的主要补给来源和季节性降水对地下水补给的贡献率。结果表明,研究区大气降水线方程为:δD=8.49δ18O+16.7(n=110,R2=0.98)。降水中δD(–113.3‰~7.5‰)和δ18O(–14.9‰~–0.9‰)季节性差异明显;地下水δD和δ18O(–45.3‰~–40.4‰和–7.29‰~–6.44‰)相对稳定;灌溉水δD和δ18O分别介于–66.2‰~–28.3‰和–9.17‰~–5.00‰,变化范围小于降水,大于地下水。在δD-δ18O关系图中,地下水各水样点主要分布在当地大气降水线附近,说明地下水主要受大气降水补给。降水中氘盈余(dexcess)介于1.3‰~23.7‰,夏半年(4—9月)dexcess平均值(10.8‰)显著低于冬半年(10—3月)dexcess平均值(17.1‰)。地下水氘盈余相对稳定,介于8.75‰~14.9‰,平均值为11.9‰。通过氘盈余质量平衡法计算得出,夏半年降水对地下水的贡献率为83%,而冬半年的贡献仅有17%,表明季节性降水对地下水补给的贡献差异显著,夏半年降水对地下水补给具有主导性作用。     

黄土高原丘陵沟壑区不同水体间转化特征——以韭园沟流域为例

为研究黄土高原丘陵沟壑区降水、地表水和地下水间的转化特征,以绥德县韭园沟流域作为研究对象,通过测定雨水、沟道水和井水的氢氧同位素组成,分析各水体的δD-δ18O特征、氢氧同位素的时间变化和沿程变化,明确各不同水体间的补给关系,估算流域上游沟道水补给井水的过程中因蒸发损失的水量.结果表明:韭园沟流域沟道水和井水的δD和δ18O之间具有良好的线性关系;井水氢氧同位素相对于沟道水较富集且稳定,降水、气温、风速等气象因子对沟道水氢氧同位素影响强烈,对井水影响较弱;流域沟道水与井水均来源于大气降水,能够有效补给地下水的大气降水氢氧同位素加权平均值为:δ18O=-11‰,δD=-79.80‰;沟道水向井水的转化以单向排泄补给为主,两者转化过程中由于蒸发作用引起的水量损失占补给源水量的7％.     

基于稳定同位素的黄土塬区村庄涝池对地下水补给的定量分析

[目的] 定量研究黄土塬区村庄涝池对地下水的补给情况,为地下水资源持续利用提供理论依据。[方法] 通过测定长武黄土塬区村庄涝池和农田深剖面土壤湿度及土壤水氢氧稳定同位素组成,利用同位素示踪技术计算村庄涝池对地下水的补给量。[结果] ①涝池深剖面土壤水分平均值为25.5%,大于农田深剖面土壤湿度（20.6%）; ②涝池土壤水的δD值介于-117.83‰~-56.66‰之间,δ¹⁸O值介于-16.63‰~-7.72‰之间,农田土壤水的δD介于-81.76‰~-52.03‰之间,δ¹⁸O值介于-10.64‰~-6.35‰之间;与农田相比,涝池土壤水分受蒸发影响较小,同位素组成偏负,且变幅较大; ③涝池土壤水同位素剖面保留了较大降水事件的同位素信号,表明涝池水通过活塞流形式对地下水进行了补给,活塞流速度为0.26 m/d;在涝池集水区内,地下水年均潜在补给量为134 mm,占年降水量的23.1%。[结论] 黄土塬区涝池是地下水重要的补给来源。因此,应加强涝池保护、恢复和重建工作,确保该区地下水的持续补给和利用。     

低氮和干旱胁迫对富士和秦冠生长及氮素利用的影响

【目的】以富士（Fuji）、 秦冠（Qinguan）嫁接在平邑甜茶（Malus hupehensis Rehd.）上的当年生盆栽苗为试验材料,采用砂培方法,研究了缺氮胁迫和干旱对富士和秦冠生长情况、 光合参数、 植株各部位氮磷钾含量及氮素利用效率的影响,分析比较了低氮干旱条件下富士和秦冠生长及氮素利用的差异,以期为果树生产高效肥水利用提供理论指导。【方法】试验共设四个处理: 正常氮正常水（ZZ）、 低氮正常水（DZ）、 正常氮干旱（ZG）、 低氮干旱（DG）。氮素和水分均设置两个水平,分别为正常氮（6 mmol/L NO-3-N）、 低氮（0.3 mmol/LNO-3-N）、 正常供水（保持盆中砂子相对含水量为饱和含水量的80%~85%）、 干旱处理（保持盆中砂子相对含水量为饱和含水量的60%~65%）。【结果】富士和秦冠的生物量（茎和叶）、 株高茎粗等生长指标以及光合速率、 气孔导度、 蒸腾速率均为正常氮正常水（ZZ）＞低氮正常水（DZ）＞正常氮干旱（ZG）＞低氮干旱（DG）,并且相对应处理下秦冠的以上指标均高于富士;正常供水下,缺氮处理使富士、 秦冠的根冠比比正常氮处理均有所增加,富士提高了2.05%,秦冠提高了22.40%。富士和秦冠的氮、 磷、 钾含量均表现出正常氮正常水（ZZ）＞低氮正常水（DZ）＞正常氮干旱（ZG）＞低氮干旱（DG）; 氮、 钾元素含量在植株各部位的分布顺序依次是叶＞根＞茎,磷元素则是根＞叶＞茎;光合氮素利用效率（PNUE）和氮素利用效率表现为秦冠处理之间差异极显著,富士处理之间差异不显著;秦冠的PNUE和NUE明显高于富士,在低氮正常水（DZ）处理下,秦冠氮肥利用率比富士高42.07%,在低氮干旱（DG）处理下高64.14%;低氮胁迫下富士和秦冠的NUE显著提高,并且秦冠提高的幅度高于富士。【结论】施用氮肥能够显著提高富士与秦冠的干物质量,同等水肥条件下,秦冠生长优于富士;水分亏缺会减少叶片对氮的吸收,干旱条件下适度增施氮肥,可提高果树的抗旱能力;低氮干旱胁迫下秦冠的生长指标、 光合指标及氮素利用效率指标均优于富士,表现出较强的抗低氮干旱胁迫的能力。     

Pasture Vegetation Elemental Analysis by Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a new technique for the analysis of plant material. This study investigates the application of LIBS to pasture-based plant samples. The LIBS measurements were obtained from pelletized pasture samples (100 samples) that had been also analyzed by inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) following microwave digestion for calibration and comparison purposes. Comparisons for elements sodium (Na), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), boron (B), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S) showed that LIBS could be used for almost all the standard profile total elements with concentrations down to low mg/kg levels (observed error of Na: 0.024 percent, K: 0.18 percent, Mg: 0.016 percent, Ca: 0.073 percent, P: 0.017 percent, Mn: 31 mg/kg, Fe: 150 mg/kg, Zn: 6.6 mg/kg, and B: 1.1 mg/kg). Elemental analysis at less than mg/kg levels was not possible using LIBS. The elements S and Cu were particularly difficult to analyze with reliability using LIBS at the concentration levels found in the plant samples. Replacing microwave digestion and subsequent ICP analysis with a direct analysis of dried plant samples using LIBS has the potential to improve the productivity and reduce the cost of testing.     

Faculty positions:Center for Agricultural Resources Research,Chinese Academy of Sciences

正The Center for Agricultural Resources Research(CARR),the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology(IGDB),Chinese Academy of Sciences,invites applicants for several research group leader positions.CARR is one of the research organizations in Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS).We seek nominations and applications from individuals who have expertise and a record of accomplishment in research areas related to ecology,agro-hydrology,     

Macroinvertebrates in North American tallgrass prairie soils: effects of fire, mowing, and fertilization on density and biomass

The responses of tallgrass prairie plant communities and ecosystem processes to fire and grazing are well characterized. However, responses of invertebrate consumer groups, and particularly soil-dwelling organisms, to these disturbances are not well known. At Konza Prairie Biological Station, we sampled soil macroinvertebrates in 1994 and 1999 as part of a long-term experiment designed to examine the effects and interactions of annual fire, mowing, and fertilization (N and P) on prairie soil communities and processes. For nearly all taxa, in both years, responses were characterized by significant treatment interactions, but some general patterns were evident. Introduced European earthworms (Aporrectodea spp. and Octolasion spp.) were most abundant in plots where fire was excluded, and the proportion of the total earthworm community consisting of introduced earthworms was greater in unburned, unmowed, and fertilized plots. Nymphs of two Cicada genera were collected (Cicadetta spp. and Tibicen spp.). Cicadetta nymphs were more abundant in burned plots, but mowing reduced their abundance. Tibicen nymphs were collected almost exclusively from unburned plots. Treatment effects on herbivorous beetle larvae (Scarabaeidae, Elateridae, and Curculionidae) were variable, but nutrient additions (N or P) usually resulted in greater densities, whereas mowing usually resulted in lower densities. Our results suggest that departures from historical disturbance regimes (i.e. frequent fire and grazing) may render soils more susceptible to increased numbers of European earthworms, and that interactions between fire, aboveground biomass removal, and vegetation responses affect the structure and composition of invertebrate communities in tallgrass prairie soils.     

Variation in quality parameters between and within 14 Nordic tree fruit and berry species

Abstract

A 3-year study was carried out to investigate quality parameters in 14 tree fruit and berry species grown in southern Norway. The species were blueberry, apple, aronia, sour cherry, sweet cherry, red raspberry, strawberry, blackcurrant, gooseberry, red currant and elderberry, harvested along with wild bilberry, cloudberry and lingonberry. Significant differences between species were identified for all quality parameters. The coefficient of variation between species was lowest for pH (12.5%), dry matter (18.9%) and soluble solids (25.3%), followed by titratable acids (59.3%), total phenolics (83.8%), antioxidant capacity FRAP (85.7%) and antiradical power by the DPPH-assay (97.8%), total monomeric anthocyanins (132%) and ascorbic acid (137%). Average coefficient of variation within species were lower and ranged from 4 (pH) to 62% (ascorbic acid). Only the FRAP values were significantly affected by harvesting year with lower levels in 2004 than in 2005 and 2006. There were significant interactions between species and harvesting year for dry matter, soluble solids, pH, ascorbic acid and FRAP. The results indicate generic ranges in composition within species independent upon growing location and climate, and the composition of the tree fruits and berries is not likely to deviate from these ranges. It is concluded that desirable composition of tree fruits and berries and their products should primarily be achieved by selection among species rather than searching fors broadened variation within individual species.     

Potassium Fixation and Release Characteristics in Rhizosphere and Nonrhizosphere Soils for a Rapeseed–Rice Cropping Sequence

Potassium (K) fixation and release in soil are important factors in the long-term sustainability of a cropping system. Changes in K concentration and characteristics of K fixation and release in rhizosphere and nonrhizosphere soils in the rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)–rice (Oryza sativa L.) rotation were investigated using a rhizobox system. The concentrations of different forms of K in both rhizosphere and nonrhizosphere soils decreased with plants compared to without plants, regardless of K fertilizer application. Potassium uptake by crops mainly came from the rhizosphere soil. In the treatment without K fertilizer (–K), the main form of K supplied by the soil to the crops was 1.0 mol L^?1 nitric acid (HNO₃) nonextractable K, followed by nonexchangeable K, and then exchangeable K. In the treatment with K fertilizer (+K), the main K forms supplied by the soil to the crops were exchangeable K and nonexchangeable K. The amount and rate of K fixation after one cycle of the rapeseed–rice rotation was greater in rhizosphere soil than in nonrhizosphere soil. The amount and rate of K fixation of soil in the +K treatment were significantly less than in the –K treatment. The cumulative amounts of K released with 1.0 mol L^?1 ammonium acetate (NH₄OAc) and 1.0 mol L^?1 HNO₃ extraction increased with the increasing numbers of extractions, but the K-releasing power of soil by successive extraction decreased gradually and finally became almost constant. The release of K was less in rhizosphere soil than in nonrhizosphere soil. The release of K in the +K treatment was similar to that in the –K treatment in rhizosphere soil, but the K release in nonrhizosphere soil was greater with the +K than the –K treatment. Overall, the information obtained in this study will be helpful in formulating more precise K fertilizer recommendations for certain soils.     

Biodiversity and ecogeography of wild Lactuca spp. in some European countries

Staff members of the Department of Botany of Palacký University in Olomouc and Gene Bank Department – Workplace Olomouc, Research Institute of Crop Production in Prague, Czech Republic, conducted an expedition in seven European countries (Austria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland) in August/September 1999 to collect wild Lactuca spp. germplasm and study its geographic distribution, ecology and biodiversity. During the mission, more than 600 locations were visited resulting in the collection of 602 seed samples (accessions) of wild Lactuca species and 13 seed samples of related genera (Chondrilla and Mycelis). Lactuca serriola f. serriola, L. serriola f. integrifolia, L. saligna and L. viminea subsp. chondrilliflora were prevalent in southern Europe (Italy, France), however, only L. serriola was common in central and western Europe (Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland). The greatest diversity of Lactuca species was found in France, where also the most seed samples (165) were collected. The most characteristic habitats with a high density of Lactuca spp. populations were observed along roads and highways, grassy ditches, ruderal communities, and dust-heaps. Natural infections by powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum) and downy mildew (Bremia lactucae) on some wild Lactuca spp. were observed. Recent observations concerning the geographic distribution, population structure, habitats, and natural occurrence of diseases of Lactuca spp. are discussed. This assemblage of genetic resources of Lactuca spp. can serve as the basis of future studies of species diversification, spatial population structure, plant microevolution, domestication processes, and genetic variability of host-parasite interactions.     

Increase in auxiliary photoprotective photosynthetic pigments in wheat seedlings induced by Azospirillum brasilense

Inoculation of wheat seedlings with the plant growth-promoting bacterium Azospirillum brasilense Cd was immobilized in alginate microbeads and, without applying any stress, significantly increased the quantity of several photosynthetic pigments, such as chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and the auxiliary photoprotective pigments violaxanthin, zeaxanthin, antheroxanthin, lutein, neoxanthin, and β-carotene. This resulted in greener plants with no apparent visible stress. After monitoring the quantity of photosynthetic pigments for 4 weeks, we observed that inoculated plants had higher quantities of pigments in shoot and stem. The greatest difference in the quantity of all pigments between inoculated and noninoculated plants occurred in the first week of growth. Regardless of treatment, the quantity of pigments in stems was three to four times less than the quantity of these pigments in shoots. Application of Azospirillum, either as liquid inoculant or as alginate microbeads, did not alter the positive effect of the bacteria on pigment production or the positive response of the plants towards A. brasilense Cd inoculation.     

In-situ enrichment and analysis of atrazine-degrading microbial communities using atrazine-containing porous beads

We examined the community composition of microbes that colonized atrazine-containing beads buried in agricultural soils that differed in atrazine treatment history. Bacterial abundance was 5-40-fold greater in atrazine-fortified beads. In beads containing 20 mg atrazine kg⁻¹ buried in soil with a history of atrazine application (conditioned soil), the abundance of Actinobacteria increased approximately 80-fold whereas in control soil, Actinobacteria were enriched only 10-fold and the gamma-Proteobacteria and Planctomycetes increased by 60- and 25-fold, respectively. The gamma-Proteobacteria were enriched by 120- and 230-fold in beads containing 200 mg atrazine kg⁻¹ in conditioned and control soil, respectively. The results demonstrate that BioSep^® beads are a suitable matrix for recruiting a diverse subset of the bacterial community involved in atrazine degradation.     

Properties of anaerobically digested and composted municipal solid waste assessed by linking soil mesofauna dynamics and nitrogen modelling

We have studied the effect of anaerobically digested (ADMSW) and composted municipal solid waste (CMSW) on mineralization and foodweb dynamics to verify the hypothesis that ADMSW would immobilize N right after addition to soil in contrast to addition with CMSW. Another hypothesis was that the mesofauna (enchytraeids and microarthropods) would stimulate N release from the decomposer community. We measured excretion of -N and urea-N from the mesofauna and hypothesized that enchytraeids would release urea. ADMSW and CMSW were amended to pots with sandy loam and barley. The pots were divided into treatments with or without mesofauna. Mesofauna, plant N and biomass, soil N and ergosterol (fungal biomass) were measured over a 113-day period of four equidistant samplings. Soil respiration, N mineralization and N release by the mesofauna were modelled from concurrent studies. ADMSW- and CMSW-treated soils initially (<20 days) immobilized N. The amendments did not increase plant growth substantially, and this was probably due to N-limitation in the early stages of plant growth. Enchytraeid abundance was about three times higher in ADMSW- than CMSW-treated soils, indicating that ADMSW contained more labile compounds, bacteria, and microfauna. The mesofauna did not affect N-content, but the cumulated -N excreted by the mesofauna was estimated to be substantial and about one-fifth of total plant N in ADMSW. An explanation for this discrepancy might be that in the absence of the mesofauna, other members of the detrivore and microbivore community performed the mesofauna’s function. Neither enchytraeids nor microarthropods excreted urea.