Secondary succession, soil formation and development of a diverse community of oribatids and saprophagous soil macro-invertebrates

Investigations into different stages of secondary succession (from a wheat field to a beechwood on Threstone; Northern Germany) demonstrated the formation of a carbon rich top soil in later successional stages. Parallel to changes in plant species and soil formation, there were also changes in species composition and diversity of saprophagous macro-invertebrates (Lumbricidae, Diplopoda, Isopoda) and oribatid mites (Acari: Oribatida). Diversity of diplopod and isopod species increased after cessation of cultivation, but in a late successional stage (ca 50 y-old fallow, ash-dominated wood) species number of diplopods and isopods declined strongly. In comparison with the other soil invertebrate groups, species composition of earthworms among the sites was more similar. Accumulation of soil C was assumed to be related to wood formation and occurrence of woody debris and recalcitrant leaf litter of beech trees. Incorporation of recalcitrant litter materials by earthworm species living in the upper mineral soil presumably contributed significantly to accumulation of soil C. Accumulation of soil C was accompanied by the development of an oribatid mite community rich in species. In early successional stages oribatids predominantly colonized the litter layer, while most oribatid mites of the beechwood inhabited the upper mineral soil. Maximum diversity of oribatid mites in the beechwood is assumed to be related to instability of the mineral soil caused by earthworm activity. Changes in species composition and diversity are discussed considering succession theory. Even soil invertebrates of similar trophic groups appear to respond very differently to successional changes. It is concluded that conservation strategies to maintain high diversity of soil invertebrates are most likely to be successful if a wide range of habitats of different successional stages is included.