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

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

From forest to fen: Microarthropod abundance and litter decomposition in a southern Appalachian floodplain/fen complex

Our study compared decomposition and litter microarthropod abundance among five plant communities in a mountain floodplain/fen complex located in the southern Appalachian Mountains, USA. We found that the least disturbed plant communities, red maple in particular, have the quickest decomposition, the greatest number of litter microarthropods, the highest soil organic carbon, and the lowest soil pH. Positive correlations were shown between soil organic carbon and total microarthropods; negative correlations were found between soil pH and total microarthropods. No correlations were found between soil moisture and decomposition or total microarthropod numbers. We conclude that soil characteristics related to disturbance, rather than to the presence of a closed canopy, are the main influences on decomposition and litter microarthropods.     

刺萼龙葵入侵对不同类型土壤特性的影响

外来入侵植物对土壤生态系统的影响已成为入侵生态学研究的热点。本文选取河北宣化和吉林白城2个刺萼龙葵(Solanum rostratum Dunal.)入侵典型地区,研究刺萼龙葵入侵对不同类型土壤养分及酶活性的影响。每个地区分别选择4个生境作为样地,宣化地区生境包括荒地、路边、农田和林地,白城地区生境包括荒地、路边、农田和草原,其中宣化的林地和白城的草原为每个地区特有的生境。采用滴定法和比色法测定土壤养分和酶活性。结果表明,与未入侵样地(CK)相比,刺萼龙葵入侵显著提高了农田、林地和草原的土壤全氮含量(P0.05),其中宣化(灌淤土)农田和林地全氮含量比CK增加102.49%、79.02%,白城(淡黑钙土)农田和草原比CK增加44.04%、21.81%;刺萼龙葵入侵显著提高了农田和林地的土壤铵态氮含量(P0.05),其中宣化农田、林地中土壤铵态氮含量比CK增加137.59%、50.32%,白城农田中增加140.18%;刺萼龙葵入侵也提高了路边、林地、农田(白城)和荒地(宣化)的土壤硝态氮含量(P0.05),其中,宣化荒地、路边和林地土壤硝态氮含量较CK增加65.52%、32.96%和22.68%,白城路边和农田分别增加132.59%、153.96%。刺萼龙葵入侵显著提高了宣化地区及白城荒地和农田的土壤有机质含量(P0.05);降低了宣化荒地、农田和林地的土壤全磷含量(P0.05),土壤全磷分别比CK降低54.63%、70.81%和29.68%,白城路边和草原的土壤全磷含量分别较CK下降17.40%、14.69%(P0.05);刺萼龙葵入侵对2个地区土壤全钾和速效钾则无显著影响。刺萼龙葵入侵显著提高了荒地、农田、林地、草原和路边(宣化)的土壤脲酶活性(P0.05);宣化路边和白城荒地、草原的中性磷酸酶的活性,宣化荒地和林地土壤过氧化氢酶活性均显著提高(P0.05),对白城过氧化氢酶则无显著影响。刺萼龙葵入侵对某些生境的土壤养分和酶活性无显著影响可能与入侵生境的小气候、入侵时间长短等因素相关,需进一步深入研究。总之,刺萼龙葵入侵改变了2个地区土壤理化性质和酶活性,其可能通过改变土壤养分及土壤酶活性,以创造对自身有利的土壤环境,从而进一步扩散蔓延。     

Vertical distribution of Collembola (Hexapoda) and their food resources in organic horizons of beech forests

 Micro-samples of the surface organic horizons of 13 beech forests in Belgium were fixed immediately after collection in ethanol. Collembola (6255 animals) were sorted directly from micro-samples in the laboratory using a dissecting microscope, while the litter/soil matrix was analysed semi-quantitatively. The vertical distribution of Collembolan species was studied by correspondence analysis. Gut contents of animals were examined under a light microscope and their composition was compared with that of the matrix. A consistent association was found between the vertical distribution of gut contents and that of food resources in the immediate proximity of animals. Species differed in their feeding habits but most of them ingested a wide spectrum of food items. Plasticity in the food regime according to depth could be demonstrated in members of the Onychiuridae family. Received: 11 January 1999     

Relating microarthropod community structure and diversity to soil fertility manipulations in temperate grassland

We aimed to identify patterns of diversity in a below-ground community of microarthropods (mites and Collembola) after 15 months of a nutrient (calcium and nitrogen) manipulation experiment, located at the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) Soil Biodiversity Site in Scotland, UK. We found that microarthropod densities increased with elevated soil fertility, but we detected no concurrent change in the diversity of soil microarthropods (mites and Collembola combined). That microarthropod density increased concurrently with improvements in soil fertility and plant productivity suggests that soil microarthropod communities are predominately regulated by bottom-up forces, driven by increased energy transfer via plant inputs to soil, providing increased food resources for fauna. However, that we found no concurrent change in the diversity of soil microarthropods provides little support for the idea that the diversity of soil fauna is positively related to their population density, primary productivity or improvements in soil conditions resulting from nutrient manipulations. However, we did find that microarthropod communities of more fertile sites contained a greater proportion of predators suggesting that more energy was transferred to higher trophic levels under elevated soil fertility. Our findings suggest that unlike plant communities, soil faunal diversity may not be strongly regulated by competition in productive situations, since competitive exclusion might not occur due to increased predation. Whilst we conclude that soil microarthropod diversity at our study site has not been affected by the nutrient additions to date, in the longer term we predict that changes in community composition and diversity could arise, most likely through top-down regulation of the soil food web.     

Dynamics of microbial biomass and soil fauna in two contrasting soils cropped to barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

Summary This study compared the dynamics of shoots, roots, microbial biomass and faunal populations in two different soils cropped to barley. The dynamics of microbial C, protozoa, nematodes, acari, collembola, shoot and root mass were measured between July and October under barley at Ellerslie (Black Chernozem, Typic Cryoboroll) and Breton (Gray Luvisol, Typic Cryoboralf) in central Alberta. Very wet soil conditions in early July reduced the barley yield at Breton. The peak shoot mass was greater at Ellerslie (878 g m^–2) compared to Breton (582 g m^–2), but the root mass did not differ significantly between sites. Microbial C at 0–30 cm depth was greater at Ellerslie (127 g m^–2) than Breton (68 g m^–2). The average protozoa population (no. m^–2) did not differ significantly between sites. The average nematode population at 0–20 cm depth was greater at Ellerslie (5.1 × 10⁶ no. m^–2) compared to Breton (1.0 × 10⁶ no. m^–2) Acari and collembola populations at 0–10 cm depth at Ellerslie (43 × 10³ and 43 × 10² no. m^–2), respectively) were greater than at Breton (2 × 10⁴ and 9 × 10² no. m^–2) respectively). Tenday laboratory incubations of 0–10 cm soil samples from Ellerslie evolved more CO₂-C (120 g g^–1 soil) compared to samples from Breton (97 g g^–1 soil), but the CO₂-C evolution did not differ when expressed on an area basis (g m^–2) due to the greater soil bulk density at Breton. The soil from Breton respired twice as much CO₂-C when expressed as a proportion of soil C and 1.5 times as much CO₂-C when expressed as a proportion of microbial C, compared to the soil from Ellerslie. The greater CO₂-C: microbial C ratio, lower flush C:N ratio, and greater protozoa population: soil C ratio at Breton compared to Ellerslie suggest that the food web was relatively more active at Breton and was related to greater C availability and water availability at Breton.     

黄土高原半干旱丘陵区不同树种纯林土壤性质极化研究

人工或天然纯林土壤性质呈现偏离原平衡态并朝某个方向非平衡或极端化发展的现象被作者称为极化。作者提出了抗极化域(W)、抗极化度(R)、极化度(P)和极抗比(I)等土壤极化的表征指标,并采用多样地多样点混合采土法对黄土高原半干旱丘陵区进入成熟生长期的不同树种纯林和混交林土壤性质进行了广泛测定和极化分析。结果表明:(1)不同树种林地属于极强度极化(P>0.20)的土壤性质分别为:油松纯林的化学性质,侧柏、刺槐和沙棘纯林的化学和生物学性质,白榆纯林的化学、生物学性质和微量元素,白桦纯林的生物学性质,茶条槭纯林的生物学和物理性质。(2)总体而言,油松和刺槐纯林会引起土壤的严重贫养化;侧柏纯林会引起土壤的严重富养化;白榆纯林虽然会引起土壤的富养化,但却使得微量元素越来越缺乏;白桦纯林主要会引起土壤生物学性质的恶化;茶条槭纯林土壤有偏贫养化和生物学性质恶化的趋势;沙棘纯林会导致土壤严重贫养化和生物、物理性质的恶化;小叶杨纯林土壤性质尚未发生明显极化。(3)总体而言,小叶杨、油松的抗极化能力均较强,而白榆的抗极化能力最低;相对于林木抗极化能力,土壤的绝对综合极抗比属于中等以上(Ia>0.40)的性质分别为:油松纯林的化学、物理性质,侧柏、刺槐和白榆纯林的所有性质,白桦纯林的生物学、物理和化学性质。     

Reactions to soil acidification in microarthropods: Is competition a key factor?

Summary Acidification of raw humus soil in coniferous forest areas leads to characteristic changes in the microarthropod community. Certain species are calciophilic and decrease in abundance, while others are acidophilic and increase in abundance. The simplest explanation for these changes is that population levels are directly related to soil pH. This hypothesis was tested by growing small populations of selected species in monoculture at different pH levels. Three acidophilic species were tested, the collembolan Mesaphorura yosii, the oribatid mite Nothrus silvestris, and the astigmatid mite Schwiebea cf. lebruni. A slightly calciophilic collembolan, Isotomiella minor, was also included. For all species, population growth was lowest in acidified raw humus. Even acidophilic species seem to have an optimum at a high pH. It is assumed that their success in low-pH soils is due to their ability to compete under these conditions. Competition may be a key factor in microarthropod reactions to soil acidification.Dedicated to the late Prof. Dr. W. Kühnelt     

Effects of microsite, water, weeding, and direct seeding on the regeneration of native and alien species within a Hawaiian dry forest preserve

Tropical dry forests are among the most endangered ecosystems in the world in general and in Hawaii in particular. To investigate the regeneration ecology of native and alien dry forest species on the island of Hawaii, we used a factorial experiment with microsite (sub-canopy vs. inter-canopy), water (supplemental vs. ambient), and weeding (alien species removed vs. not removed) treatments, and also seeded six native woody species into each plot at the start of the experiment. At the end of the 21-month study, the biomass of the volunteer native and alien species (i.e. unplanted species consisting mainly of relatively fast-growing shrubs) was nearly three and 13 times that of the seeded species, respectively. The biomass of the native volunteers was greater in the inter-canopy plots, greater for the seeded species in the sub-canopy plots, and did not differ significantly within this treatment for the alien species. Few species survived in the ambient water plots, resulting in greater biomass in the watered plots for all species. There were no significant differences in the biomass of the native species within the weeded vs. non-weeded plots; on the contrary, we found consistently positive correlations between the abundance of the seeded species and the volunteer native and alien species. Thus it may be possible to restore Hawaii's degraded dry forests by manipulating these naturally recruiting species to create microsites favorable for the eventual re-establishment of the endangered native canopy tree flora.     

Soil arthropods in a developmental succession on the Nouragues inselberg (French Guiana)

Tropical inselbergs are isolated rock outcrops with a special type of vegetation surrounded by rain forest. They are exposed to a harsh climate (alternation of heavy rain and severe drought) and provide few nutrients for plant growth. The aim of our study was to investigate a possible correlation between primary plant succession, size and diversity of soil arthropods. The study site was the Nouragues inselberg, in French Guiana (South America). Nine soil samples (three samples in each vegetation type) were taken for the study of soil arthropod communities and their food habits in three habitat types: Pitcairnia geyskesi (Bromeliaceae), Clusia minor (Clusiaceae) and Myrcia saxatilis (Myrtaceae), which represent three stages in a primary plant succession on this inselberg. Soil arthropods were classified into morphospecies under the dissecting microscope and their food habits were characterized by examining their gut contents under the light microscope. A variation in food habits was observed, cyanobacteria being found in arthropod guts only during the Pitcairnia stage, and were replaced by plant material at the Myrcia stage. Carnivory was prominent in oribatid mites, contrary to temperate records. All our samples contained large numbers of microarthropods, principally mites and collembolans. At the Myrcia stage arthropod density was significantly higher than at the two other stages. Macroinvertebrates are present only at late and intermediate successional stages. The number of macropredators increased by a factor of 10 in species richness and 100 in abundance along the succession. These results suggest that abundance and diversity of soil arthropods increased throughout the plant succession and show the importance of organic matter as a factor which can explain the observed phenomenon.     

铜矿尾矿库土壤—海洲香薷(Elsholtzia harchowensis)植物体系的微生物特征研究

对浙江哩铺铜矿尾矿库土壤—海洲香薷 (Elsholtziaharchowensis)植物体系的微生物特征进行了研究。结果表明 :海洲香薷植物中的元素含量表现为Cu >Zn >Pb >Cd ,Cu与土壤元素的相关性最为显著 ,其次为Zn。与对照土壤相比 ,矿区土壤的微生物基础呼吸作用增强 ,但微生物生物量却显著降低 ,微生物生理生态参数Cmic/Corg、qCO2 值明显升高。Biolog结果显示 ,矿区土壤微生物的群落结构发生改变 ,对能源碳的消耗量和速度显著升高 ,但利用效率却明显降低     

Does the natural “microcosm” created by Tuber aestivum affect soil microarthropods? A new hypothesis based on Collembola in truffle culture

The interactions between fungi and soil fauna are not well known. Some studies suggest that soil microarthropods play an important role in fungi dispersion, but little is still known about the interaction between truffle and soil microarthropods. The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of the truffle Tuber aestivum to modify soil biogeochemistry (i.e. create a zone of scarce vegetation around the host plant, called a burn or brûlé) and to highlight the effects of the brûlé on the soil fauna community. We compared soil microarthropod communities found in the soil inside versus outside the T. aestivum brûlé with the chemistry of soil collected inside versus outside the brûlé. The study was carried out in three Mediterranean areas, two in Italy and one in Spain. The results confirmed the ability of T. aestivum to modify soil biogeochemistry in the brûlé: pH was higher and total organic carbon tended to be lower inside the brûlé compared to outside. Soil fauna communities showed some interesting differences. Some groups, such as Symphyla and Pauropoda, adapted well to the soil; some Collembolan families, and biodiversity and soil quality indices were generally higher outside the brûlé. Folsomia sp. showed higher abundance in the soil of the brûlé compared to outside. The results suggest that some Collembola groups may be attracted by the fungal metabolites produced by T. aestivum, while other Collembola and other microarthropods may find an unfavourable environment in the soil of the brûlé. The next steps will be to confirm this hypothesis and to extend the study to other keys groups such as nematodes and earthworms and to link fluctuations of soil communities with the biological phases of truffle growth.     

Landscape variation in microarthropod response to calcium addition in a northern hardwood forest ecosystem

Loss of base cations from soils of the northeastern US may adversely influence forest health. A watershed-level calcium (as wollastonite, CaSiO₃) addition experiment was initiated at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, NH, USA, in fall 1999 to examine responses of forest ecosystem structure and function to restoration of exchangeable Ca that was lost over previous decades. We quantified the response of soil microarthropods to Ca addition as part of this larger study, and we also quantified microarthropod response to smaller scale (1×2 m plots) wollastonite additions within one site in an untreated reference watershed. We observed a small increase in pH in the surface organic horizon, accompanied by a decline in microarthropod abundance per gram organic matter three years following wollastonite application. However, responses varied among microarthropod groups, across years, and among study plots that were distributed along an elevation gradient in treatment and reference watersheds. Collembola declined in the treatment relative to the reference watershed in the second year but recovered in the third year following wollastonite application, whereas oribatid, prostigmatid, and mesostigmatid mites all declined in the treatment relative to the reference watershed by the third year following treatment. The largest treatment responses were observed in two base-poor hardwood stands, whereas at a slightly less poor hardwood site we found the least abundant and least variable microarthropod populations, and no response was observed to either the watershed or the plot-level treatments. Our results demonstrate that soil microarthropods are sensitive to relatively small changes in soil Ca, but that landscape position must be considered in testing responses of these soil biota to soil base status.     

Sources of spatial and temporal variability of inorganic nitrogen in pure and mixed deciduous temperate forests

We investigated the influence of tree canopy composition and structure on the spatial and temporal variability of (i) concentrations of inorganic N (NH₄⁺ and NO₃⁻) and (ii) net N-mineralization and net nitrification, within the temperate forest floor. We compared a pure European beech stand (PS) with a mixed beech-hornbeam one (MS). Three sampling areas were chosen in each stand. Within the PS, the tree locations represented a decreasing gradient of light intensity reaching the forest floor. Within the MS they represented a gradient in the amount of hornbeam leaves present in the litter. In the field NH₄⁺ and NO₃⁻ concentrations were measured in the upper mineral soil (UMS) and the overlying organic layers (OL and OF+OH). Field exposures using buried bags were carried out on UMS over 1 year to measure in situ net N-mineralization and net nitrification. Potential net N-mineralization and net nitrification were investigated in summer with UMS, OL and OF+OH incubated at 28 °C for 28 days in the laboratory. We hypothesize that with the presence of a mull-forming species (hornbeam) within a stand dominated by a moder-forming one (European beech), (i) the spatial and (ii) temporal patterns of soil inorganic N concentrations, net N-mineralization and net nitrification would be different in the two stands. Our main results show that tree species composition has an influence on both spatial and temporal patterns of nitrification. The PS exhibited its highest peaks of UMS NO₃⁻ concentration and net nitrification in spring and early summer while they were highest in the MS in winter. Furthermore, PS exhibited a higher rate of net nitrification than MS. We discuss this unexpected result and suggest that dissolved organic C may be the controlling factor for net nitrification in the MS.     

黄土残塬沟壑区利用阔叶树种枯落叶对针叶林土壤极化的防治效应

人工纯林的长期连续生长或连栽所引起的土壤极化是导致土壤退化和影响人工林生态系统稳定及可持续发展的重要原因,防治的根本途径是引入其他树种形成针阔混交林或者利用其他树种枯落叶进行根系附近的局部客置。针对在黄土残塬沟壑区的针叶纯林,通过野外采集典型林地腐殖质层土壤和不同森林和城市道路绿化阔叶树种当年枯落叶后进行室内混合培养试验,研究表明:(1)油松枯落叶会引起土壤有机质、有效磷含量、微生物数量增加和脱氢酶、磷酸酶、多酚氧化酶等多种酶活性增强的正向极化,但同时却会引起土壤碱解氮含量和脲酶、蔗糖酶活性降低的负向极化。与小叶杨和沙棘混交或将其枯落叶客置可以明显改善油松林地土壤性质,而柠条、刺槐和辽东栎则反会恶化土壤性质。客置七叶树、紫叶李、泡桐枯落叶可以明显改善油松林地土壤性质,其次为银杏,而其他树种均不适宜。(2)侧柏枯落叶会引起土壤有效磷、速效钾含量、微生物数量增加和蔗糖酶、脱氢酶、磷酸酶、蛋白酶、多酚氧化酶活性增强的正向极化,但同时却会引起土壤碱解氮含量和脲酶活性降低的负向极化。与辽东栎、刺槐混交或将其枯落叶客置可以明显改善侧柏林地土壤性质,其次是沙棘和柠条,而小叶杨则反会恶化土壤性质。客置玉兰、七叶树、法桐枯落叶可以明显改善侧柏林地土壤性质,其次为杜仲、五角枫,而其他树种均不适宜。该研究结果将对于大面积人工纯林改造、混交林营建等方面具有重要的理论指导和实践意义。     

客土改良技术及其在砷污染土壤修复中的应用展望

砷是一种毒性很强且对人体健康威胁很大的金属元素,土壤砷污染与修复长期以来受到各国政府和科学家的广泛关注。客土改良技术是污染土壤修复中较常用和有效的方法之一,近年来逐渐受到关注。本文在简述土壤中砷来源及其危害的基础上,重点对近年来该技术在土壤改良及污染土壤修复中的应用进行了系统整理,并以此为基础,比较了砷污染土壤的物理、化学及生物修复的效果。结合我国部分地区耕地砷污染较严重的现状,认为客土改良技术见效快、改良较彻底、且具有较高的实用性。同时,论文还对客土技术在砷污染土壤修复中的研究重点及应用前景等进行了展望。     

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.     

Hexosamines in the organic layer of two beech forest soils: effects of mesofauna exclusion

Summary In December 1988, litter bags (mesh size: 45 and 1000 m) were exposed in the organic layer of unlimed and limed moder soil under beech forest in the Solling area of Germany. Bags were retrieved on three sampling dates (May, September, and November 1989) and amounts (g m^-2) of glucosamine and galactosamine were determined. Horizon-specific differences generally explained by far the largest part of the treatment variance. In the substrate sampled in December 1988 from the unlimed area glucosamine increased by a factor of 11.8 from the L 1 layer to the H layer and galactosamine by a factor of 15.9. With the exception of the F2 layer, the hexosamine amounts found in the limed substrate sampled in December 1988 were higher in all horizons than in the corresponding horizons sampled from the unlimed area. Exclusion of mesofauna from the 45-m litter bags generally reduced the level of amino sugars at both sites. The difference between the two mesh sizes was most pronounced in the lowermost horizons (F2 and H) and quite small in the upper horizons. The exclusion of mesofauna significantly increased the glucosamine: galactosamine ratio in the two L layers of the unlimed soil on all sampling dates. Seasonal fluctuations suggested that the actual amino sugar content of the organic layer was essentially the function of two components, the first reflecting long-term accumulation of microbial metabo-lites, and the second reflecting short term fluctuations in the microbial colonization of various C sources together with spatial and temporal differences in the ability of the microflora to produce and to decompose hexosamines. The results of this study show that the mesofauna in the beech forest soils investigated significantly affected both the amino sugar components measured, and thus stimulated the accumulation of one of the most important N pools in forest soils.