Alteration of soil labile organic carbon by invasive earthworms (Pontoscolex corethrurus) in tropical rubber plantations |
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Authors: | Min Zhang Xiaoming Zou Douglas A Schaefer |
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Institution: | 1. Key Laboratory of Tropical Forest Ecology, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 88 Xuefu Road, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, China;2. Graduate School of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100039, China;3. Institute for Tropical Ecosystem Studies, University of Puerto Rico, P.O. Box 70377, San Juan PR 00936-8377, USA;4. Xishuangbanna Station for Tropical Rainforest Ecosystem Studies, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Menglun, Yunnan 666303, China |
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Abstract: | The invasive earthworm (Pontoscolex corethrurus) is commonly found in rubber plantations of Xishuangbanna, southwestern China. To understand the long-term impact of this invasive earthworm on soil labile organic carbon (LOC), we examined changes in LOC that was protected and unprotected by soil aggregates during a worm-exclusion experiment in rubber plantations of Xishuangbanna. We found that the presence of this invasive earthworm for 20 months increased LOC (up to 35%) protected by aggregates in surface soil layer (0–5 cm). In contrast, the presence of this earthworm increased LOC unprotected by the aggregates and the turnover rate of LOC protected by the aggregates in subsurface soil layer (5–15 cm). Soil total LOC did not differ between the control and worm-exclusion treatments. These findings suggest that the invasion of P. corethrurus can redistribute LOC along soil vertical profiles with accumulation of protected LOC on surface soil layer and unprotected LOC on subsurface soil layer. Earthworms' redistribution of LOC between the protected and unprotected forms and along soil profile may affect long-term soil carbon cycling. |
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