Spiders and Other Arthropods as Indicators in Old-Growth Versus Logged Redwood Stands

This study, conducted in the Santa Cruz Mountains of California, provides data on the abundance and diversity of litter spiders and other arthropods in three redwood forest conditions: old growth, second growth, and tree farm. Litter spiders are linked to and reflect habitat structure and prey abundance and can act as indicators for redwood forest restoration and monitoring. There were significant declines in spider and other arthropod diversity and abundance with increased logging and decreased herb cover. The absolute and relative increase in nocturnal spiders and detritivores in unlogged sites suggests that guild structures of spiders and other arthropods can indicate forest recovery from logging disturbance. Furthermore, selectively harvested stands do not retain old‐growth levels of litter arthropod diversity or abundance. This study identifies potential indicator redwood litter spiders that show higher abundances in old‐growth areas, Zelotes sp. (Gnaphosidae), Xysticus sp. (Thomisidae), and Ceratinops inflata (Linyphiidae) and a possible old‐growth specialist, Phrurotimpus sp. (Liocranidae). These findings strengthen the case for including soil arthropods in redwood forest monitoring and assessment and for the preservation of undisturbed forest areas.     

The influence of variation in litter habitats on spider communities

Summary Spider communities were sampled over an artificial gradient of litter depth (created by raking) and compared to those of two other forests exhibiting natural variation in litter depth. More species of spiders were present in areas of greater depth and/or complexity in all sites. Relative abundance of Lycosidae decreased, while relative abundance of Clubionidae, Thomisidae and Gnaphosidae increased over gradients of increasing depth and complexity. Similarity of species composition between areas within a forest was related to site differences in litter depth and structure.As litter depth increased, there were significant changes in prey species richness, litter complexity, and microclimate. Partial correlation analysis of grouped data from early-, mid-, and late season suggests that influential factors change with season. In the early season, prey abundance and temperature variation account for most of the variation in spider species richness. In mid-season, litter complexity and moisture fluctuations appear to influence richness, with complexity relatively more important. In late season, complexity and temperature range were the primary factors, with temperature relatively more influential. The relative importance of these factors in influencing community structure of spiders is discussed.     

Effects of leaf litter species on macroinvertebrate community properties and mosquito yield in Neotropical tree hole microcosms

Detritus quality and quantity affect macroinvertebrate productivity and distribution in many freshwater ecosystems. This study experimentally investigated the effects of leaf litter from Ceiba pentandra, Dipteryx panamensis, Ficus yoponensis, and Platypodium elegans on macroinvertebrate species composition, richness, and abundance in artificial water-filled tree holes in a lowland moist forest of Panama. Species composition was similar among treatments, but species richness and longevity differed among litter types and were consistently highest with Platypodium litter. Similar patterns were observed in natural tree holes of the focal tree species. The mosquito Culex mollis was the most abundant species in the field experiment. Average conductivity and dissolved oxygen concentration differed among leaf species, but pH did not. Leaf toughness was positively correlated with mean macroinvertebrate abundance and cumulative species richness. A laboratory experiment measured C. mollis yield and pupation time in tree hole microcosms containing the four litter species. Cumulative mosquito mass and time to pupation differed among leaf litter species, with Platypodium litter supporting the greatest yield. Pupation was slowest on Ceiba litter. Grazing by mosquito larvae facilitated leaf decomposition in all treatments. Results suggest that differences in macroinvertebrate species richness and mosquito yield can be attributed to differences in nutritional quality among litter species. Received: 14 October 1998 / Accepted: 21 February 1999     

Effects of tree species diversity on a community of weaver spiders in a tropical forest plantation

The effects of producer diversity on predators have received little attention in arboreal plant communities, particularly in the tropics. This is particularly true in the case of tree diversity effects on web‐building spiders, one of the most important groups of invertebrate predators in terrestrial plant communities. We evaluated the effects of tree species diversity on the community of weaver spiders associated with big‐leaf mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla) in 19, 21 × 21‐m plots (64 plants/plot) of a tropical forest plantation which were either mahogany monocultures (12 plots) or polycultures (seven plots) that included mahogany and three other tree species. We conducted two surveys of weaver spiders on mahogany trees to evaluate the effects of tree diversity on spider abundance, species richness, diversity, and species composition associated with mahogany. Our results indicated that tree species mixtures exhibited significantly greater spider abundance, species richness, and diversity, as well as differences in spider species composition relative to monocultures. These results could be due to species polycultures providing a broader range of microhabitat conditions favoring spider species with different habitat requirements, a greater availability of web‐building sites, or due to increased diversity or abundance of prey. Accordingly, these results emphasize the importance of mixed forest plantations for boosting predator abundance and diversity and potentially enhancing herbivore pest suppression. Future work is necessary to determine the specific mechanisms underlying these patterns as well as the top‐down effects of increased spider abundance and species richness on herbivore abundance and damage.     

Effect of an invasive ground cover plant on the abundance and diversity of a forest floor spider assemblage

Ground dwelling spiders are important predators in the detrital food web, which plays important roles in nutrient cycling and energy flow in forest ecosystems. The cursorial spider assemblage in a Beech-Maple forest in southwestern Michigan at sites where and invasive plant, Vinca minor, has invaded was compared to a native site within the same forest and to the forest prior to invasion by the plant. Pitfall traps were used to sample cursorial spiders over the course of a summer. Vinca minor substantially altered the forest floor spider assemblage. The invasive plant reduced the total activity-abundance of spiders by nearly 49% and depressed species diversity and evenness; in contrast, species richness was not affected. We found that V. minor changed the guild and family structure with wolf spiders being common at sites where the plant had invaded. Vinca minor reduced the abundance of vagrant web building and crab spiders. Similarity indices revealed that the spider communities between the two sites were quite dissimilar (Bray-Curtis = 0.506; Jaccard’s = 0.520). Importantly, comparison to a study conducted in the same forest 28 years earlier showed that the cursorial spider assemblage in the forest prior to Vinca invasion was very different than it was after Vinca invaded but was similar to the current native site in species and guild composition. We conclude that invasion by Vinca has caused the striking changes we observed in community organization of this important group of forest floor predators. We suggest that changes in the physical structure of the litter/soil microhabitat with the invasion of V. minor are likely the cause of the substantial impacts of the plant on the spider assemblage.     

Resource–consumer diversity: testing the effects of leaf litter species diversity on stream macroinvertebrate communities

1. Understanding relationships between resource and consumer diversity is essential to predicting how changes in resource diversity might affect several trophic levels and overall ecosystem functioning. 2. We tested for the effects of leaf litter species diversity (i.e. litter mixing) on litter mass remaining and macroinvertebrate communities (taxon diversity, abundance and biomass) during breakdown in a detritus‐based headwater stream (North Carolina, U.S.A.). We used full‐factorial analyses of single‐ and mixed‐species litter from dominant riparian tree species with distinct leaf chemistries [red maple (Acer rubrum), tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera), chestnut oak (Quercus prinus) and rhododendron (Rhododendron maximum)] to test for additivity (single‐species litter presence/absence effects) and non‐additivity (emergent effects of litter species interactions). 3. Significant non‐additive effects of litter mixing on litter mass remaining were explained by species composition, but not richness, and litter‐mixing effects were variable throughout breakdown. Specifically, small differences in observed versus expected litter mass remaining were measured on day 14; whereas observed litter mass remaining in mixed‐species leaf packs was significantly higher on day 70 and lower on day 118 than expected from data for single‐species leaf packs. 4. Litter mixing had non‐additive effects on macroinvertebrate community structure. The number of species in litter mixtures (two to four), but not litter species composition, was a significant predictor of the dominance of particular macroinvertebrates (i.e. indicator taxa) within mixed‐species packs. 5. In addition, the presence/absence of high‐ (L. tulipifera) and low‐quality (R. maximum) litter had additive effects on macroinvertebrate taxon richness, abundance and biomass. The presence of L. tulipifera litter had both positive (synergistic) and negative (antagonistic) effects on invertebrate taxon richness, that varied during breakdown but were not related to litter chemistry. In contrast, the presence/absence of L. tulipifera had a negative relationship with total macroinvertebrate biomass (due to low leaf mass remaining when L. tulipifera was present and higher condensed and hydrolysable tannins associated with leaf packs lacking L. tulipifera). Macroinvertebrate abundance was consistently lower when R. maximum was present, which was partially explained by litter chemistry [e.g., high concentrations of lignin, condensed tannins, hydrolysable tannins and total phenolics and high carbon to nutrient (N and P) ratios]. 6. The bottom‐up effects of litter species diversity on stream macroinvertebrates and litter breakdown are different, which suggests that structural attributes of macroinvertebrate communities may only partially explain the effects of litter‐mixing on organic matter processing in streams. In addition, stream macroinvertebrates colonising decomposing litter are influenced by resource diversity as well as resource availability. Broad‐scale shifts in riparian tree species composition will alter litter inputs to streams, and our results suggest that changes in the diversity and availability of terrestrial litter may alter stream food webs and organic matter processing.     

Microfungi from decaying leaves of two rain forest trees in Puerto Rico

Fungal species richness and abundance were compared in leaf litter of two tree species,Guarea guidonia andManilkara bidentata, in the Luquillo Mountains of Puerto Rico. Four litter samples yielded a total of 3337 isolates, ranging from 591 to 1259 isolates/sample. The number of species/sample ranged from 134 to 228. Many uncommon litter hyphomycetes were recovered as well as coelomycetes, sterile strains, endophytes, and phytopathogens. Species-abundance distributions revealed a typical pattern of a few abundant species and a high proportion of rare species. Similarities in fungal species composition were not correlated with host species or with the site. Replicate samples examined by the moist chamber technique yielded a total of 24 species among the four litter samples. The particle filtration method indicated that leaves ofG. guidonia were more species-rich, while moist chambers indicated leaves ofM. bidentata were more species-rich. The moist chamber technique underestimated the number and species of viable fungi.     

Ecological parameters of the leaf‐litter frog community of an Atlantic Rainforest area at Ilha Grande,Rio de Janeiro state,Brazil

Abstract The Atlantic Rainforest originally covered much of the Brazilian coast and is now reduced to approximately only 7% of its original area. Data on abundance distribution and microhabitat characteristics of anuran amphibians living on the forest floor leaf litter in the Atlantic Rainforest are scarce. In this study, we analysed the effect of litter depth and structure on the abundance and species richness of leaf‐litter frogs in an area of Atlantic Rainforest at Ilha Grande, Rio de Janeiro State, south‐eastern Brazil. We performed monthly samples (nocturnal and diurnal) from August 1996 to October 1997 using small (2 m × 1 m) plots. We sampled 234 plots, totalling 468 m² of forest leaf litter. We estimated leaf‐litter depth and the proportion of leaves in the plot and tested their effect on the total abundance of frogs and species richness using multiple regression analysis. We found 185 frogs from eight species: Brachycephalus (=Psyllophryne) didactylus (Izecksohn, 1971) (Brachycephalidae), Dendrophryniscus brevipollicatus Jiménez de la Espada 1871 (Bufonidae), Adenomera marmorata Steindachner 1867, Eleutherodactylus parvus (Girard 1853), Eleutherodactylus guentheri (Steindachner 1864), Eleutherodactylus binotatus (Spix 1824) and Zachaenus parvulus (Girard 1853) (Leptodactylidae), and Chiasmocleis sp. (Microhylidae). Brachycephalus didactylus was the most abundant species, with 91 individuals, whereas Dendrophryniscus brevipollicatus was the rarest, with two individuals. Mean litter depth and the proportion of leaves in the leaf litter were significantly related to frog abundance (R² = 0.17; F_2,107 = 10.779; P = 0.0001) and species richness (R² = 0.11; F_2,107 = 6.375; P = 0.002) indicating that microhabitat characteristics may affect local distribution and abundance of frogs in the forest floor.     

Conservation value for birds of traditionally managed isolated trees in an agricultural landscape of Madagascar

Isolated trees have distinctive economic, social and cultural value for the Betsileo people living on the edge of the protected forest corridor between Ranomafana and Andringitra national parks, in South-East Madagascar. Many of these trees are Ficus spp., traditionally protected and respected. At the landscape level, they are isolated features in a heterogeneous mosaic, providing fruit, shade and aesthetic services in open cultivated areas. Within the current management system, isolated trees may also contribute significantly to the provision of ecological services by enhancing bird diversity in open areas outside the forest. We identified practices and values linked to isolated tree uses and management through ethnographic data collection. Bird presence and abundance were sampled by 338 point counts in isolated trees and open areas of the agricultural mosaic. Isolated trees were occupied by 18 out of 32 (56%) bird species in the agricultural mosaic, including 8 (25%) endemic forest species. Endemic forest birds were significantly more numerous in isolated trees than in open habitats, both in species richness and abundance (mean P value < 0.001). Overall bird species richness was significantly higher in open areas containing isolated trees, than in areas without isolated trees. Bird species richness in Ficus spp. was significantly higher than in other isolated tree species, although no differences were detected in abundance or within guilds. Community-based management of isolated trees may thus represent an opportunity for convergence between bird conservation goals outside protected areas and local management values and practices.     

Association of Ant Predators and Edaphic Conditions with Termite Diversity in an Amazonian Rain Forest

Predation is a key determinant of prey community structure, but few studies have measured the effect of multiple predators on a highly diverse prey community. In this study, we asked whether the abundance, species richness, and species composition of a species‐rich assemblage of termites in an Amazonian rain forest is more strongly associated with the density of predatory ants or with measures of vegetation, and soil texture and chemistry. We sampled termite assemblages with standardized hand‐collecting in 30 transects arranged in a 5 km × 6 km grid in a terra firme Amazonian rain forest. For each transect, we also measured vegetation structure, soil texture, and soil phosphorus, and estimated the density of predatory ants from baits, pitfall traps, and Winkler samples. Seventy‐nine termite species were recorded, and the total density of predatory ants was the strongest single predictor of local termite abundance (r = ?0.66) and termite species richness (r = ?0.44). In contrast, termite abundance and species richness were not strongly correlated with edaphic conditions (¦r¦ < 0.01), or with the density of non‐predatory ants (r_abund = ?0.27; r_s = ?0.06). Termite species composition was correlated with soil phosphorus content (r = 0.79), clay content (r = ?0.75), and tree density (r = ?0.42). Assemblage patterns were consistent with the hypothesis that ants collectively behaved as generalist predators, reducing total termite abundance, and species richness. There was no evidence that ants behaved as keystone predators, or that any single termite species benefited from the reduction in the abundance of potential competitors.     

Changes in forest understory associated with Juniperus encroachment in Oklahoma,USA

Question: Does understory vegetation cover and richness decline along a gradient of increasing Juniperus virginiana midstory canopy cover and is that decline best correlated with litter accumulation? Location: Cross Timbers Forest in Payne County, OK, USA. Methods: We measured vegetation in forest gaps as well as forest areas without J. virginiana, at the inner and outer edge of J. virginiana canopies and near J. virginiana trunks (200 plots) and compared vegetation differences among location to light, litter, soil and microclimate variables. Results: Species richness (11 spp m^?2 to 6 spp m^?2) and summer vegetation cover (53.3% to 12.7%) declined with proximity to trunks. Regression indicated that richness declines (R²=0.08) and cover (R²=0.18) were best correlated with J. virginiana litter accumulation. Partial canonical correspondence analysis (pCCA) revealed two strong canonical axes, one related to litter/light and another to cover of Quercus spp. versus J. virginiana. Tree seedlings and woody vines dominated near J. virginiana. Forbs, graminoids and Quercus spp. seedlings were more common in areas without J. virginiana. Conclusions: Increasing J. virginiana and consequent litter additions alter understory biomass and composition and, through inhibiting Quercus spp. recruitment, may lead to changes in overstory composition. Decreases in herbaceous litter, which historically contributed to fuel accumulation, may have positive feedback effects on midstory encroachment by reducing the potential for prescribed burning.     

Structure of Brazilian Atlantic forests with occurrence of the woolly spider monkey (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Brachyteles hypoxanthus</Emphasis>)

This work examines patches of Atlantic forests in Minas Gerais State where woolly spider monkeys (Brachyteles hypoxanthus) are inhabitants in order to understand the effects of forest structure, diversity, and succession in B. hypoxanthus abundance. This study was carried out in three reserves: Rio Doce State Park (PERD), Mata do Sossego (Sossego), and Serra do Brigadeiro State Park (PESB). Structural studies were carried out by means of point-centered quarter samples in areas used by woolly spider monkeys. Evenness was lower in PERD than in the other two communities. By means of successional functional groups analysis and diametric structure, the PERD forest sample was shown to be in the later, and PESB forest sample in the earlier, stages of secondary succession. We found that tree species evenness and structural traits driven by succession were important factors in determining spider monkey abundance patterns. The PERD forest sample had lower evenness and had lower density of woolly spider monkeys than the Sossego forest sample. The lowest density of these primates was in the PESB forest sample, the earlier successional stage of secondary succession of this study.     

Predation, resource availability, and community structure in Neotropical water-filled tree holes

Predation and resource availability influence community structure in many aquatic ecosystems. Predators (odonates) and resources (leaf litter) were manipulated to determine their independent effects on macroorganism species richness, abundance, and composition in water-filled tree holes of Barro Colorado Island, Panama. Interactive effects of these factors were also investigated in artificial tree holes. Large odonates reduced species richness in natural tree holes, but did not significantly reduce macroorganism abundance. The presence of larvae of the mosquito Culex urichii and the ceratopogonid midge Bezzia snowi were negatively associated with the presence of large odonate larvae. In natural tree holes, leaf litter addition and removal respectively increased and decreased richness by c. 1 species relative to controls, and macroorganism abundance was greater in litter addition holes than in litter removal holes. Independent effects of predation showed similar patterns in artificial holes, but there was no predator2resource interaction, partly due to the short duration of the experiment. Predators grew faster when litter was abundant, and indirectly reduced litter degradation rates when resources were scarce in artificial holes. Both resource availability and predation influence species richness in water-filled tree holes, but act at different time scales; richness follows productivity (litter quantity) over a period of weeks, whereas effects of predation may span several months.     

Cave invertebrate assemblages differ between native and exotic leaf litter

Abstract Allochtonous leaf litter is an important source of energy and nutrients for invertebrates in cave ecosystems. A change to the quality or quantity of litter entering caves has the potential to disrupt the structure and function of cave communities. In this study, we adopted an experimental approach to examine rates of leaf litter decomposition and the invertebrate assemblages colonizing native and exotic leaf litter in limestone caves in the Jenolan Caves Karst Conservation Reserve, New South Wales, Australia. We deployed traps containing leaf litter from exotic sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) and radiata pine (Pinus radiata) trees and native eucalypts (Eucalyptus spp.) in twilight zones (near the cave entrance) and areas deep within the caves for 3 months. Thirty‐two invertebrate morphospecies were recorded from the litter traps, with greater richness and abundance evident in the samples from the twilight zone compared with areas deep within the cave. Sycamore litter had significantly greater richness and abundance of invertebrates compared with eucalypt and pine litter in samples from the twilight zone, but there was no difference in richness or abundance among litter samples placed deep within the cave. Relative rates of decay of the three litters were sycamore > eucalypt > pine. We discuss the potential for the higher decomposition rates and specific leaf area in sycamores to explain their higher invertebrate diversity and abundance. Our findings have important implications for the management of exotic plants and the contribution of their leaf litter to subterranean ecosystems.     

Diversity of forest plant species at the community and landscape scales in Switzerland

Abstract

Conservation strategies increasingly refer to indicators derived from large biological data. However, such data are often unique with respect to scale and species groups considered. To compare richness patterns emerging from different inventories, we analysed forest species richness at both the landscape and the community scales in Switzerland. Numbers of forest species were displayed using nationwide distributional species data and referring to three different definitions of forest species. The best regression models on a level of four predictor variables ranged between adj. R ² = 0.50 and 0.66 and revealed environmental heterogeneity/energy, substrate (rocky outcrops) and precipitation as best explanatory variables of forest species richness at the landscape scale. A systematic sample of community data (n = 729; 30 m², 200 m², 500 m²) was examined with respect to nationwide community diversity and plot species richness. More than 50% of all plots were assigned to beech forests (Eu-Fagion, Cephalanthero-Fagion, Luzulo-Fagion and Abieti-Fagion), 14% to Norway spruce forests (Vaccinio-Piceion) and 13% to silver fir forests (Piceo-Abietion). Explanatory variables were derived from averaged indicator values per plot, and from biophysical and disturbance factors. The best models for plot species richness using four predictor variables ranged between adj. R ² = 0.31 and 0.34. Light (averaged L-indicator, tree canopy) and substrate (averaged R-indicator and pH) had the highest explanatory power at all community scales. By contrast, the influence of disturbance variables was very small, as only a small portion of plots were affected by this factor. The effects of disturbances caused by extreme events or by management would reduce the tree canopies and lead to an increase in plant species richness at the community scale. Nevertheless, such community scale processes will not change the species richness at the landscape scale. Instead, the variety of different results derived from different biological data confirms the diversity of aspects to consider. Therefore, conservation strategies should refer to value systems.     

Fine‐scale heterogeneity in beetle assemblages under co‐occurring Eucalyptus in the same subgenus

Aim Insect biodiversity is often positively associated with habitat heterogeneity. However, this relationship depends on spatial scale, with most studies focused on differences between habitats at large scales with a variety of forest tree species. We examined fine‐scale heterogeneity in ground‐dwelling beetle assemblages under co‐occurring trees in the same subgenus: Eucalyptus melliodora A. Cunn. ex Schauer and E. blakelyi Maiden (Myrtaceae). Location Critically endangered grassy woodland near Canberra, south‐eastern Australia. Methods We used pitfall traps and Tullgren funnels to sample ground‐dwelling beetles from the litter environment under 47 trees, and examined differences in diversity and composition at spatial scales ranging from 100 to 1000 m. Results Beetle assemblages under the two tree species had distinctive differences in diversity and composition. We found that E. melliodora supported a higher richness and abundance of beetles, but had higher compositional similarity among samples. In contrast, E. blakelyi had a lower abundance and species richness of beetles, but more variability in species composition among samples. Main conclusions Our study shows that heterogeneity in litter habitat under co‐occurring and closely related eucalypt species can influence beetle assemblages at spatial scales of just hundreds of metres. The differential contribution to fine‐scale alpha and beta diversity by each eucalypt can be exploited for conservation purposes by ensuring an appropriate mix of the two species in the temperate woodlands where they co‐occur. This would help not only to maximize biodiversity at landscape scales, but also to maintain heterogeneity in species richness, trophic function and biomass at fine spatial scales.     

Host preferences and differential contributions of deciduous tree species shape mycorrhizal species richness in a mixed Central European forest

Mycorrhizal species richness and host ranges were investigated in mixed deciduous stands composed of Fagus sylvatica, Tilia spp., Carpinus betulus, Acer spp., and Fraxinus excelsior. Acer and Fraxinus were colonized by arbuscular mycorrhizas and contributed 5% to total stand mycorrhizal fungal species richness. Tilia hosted similar and Carpinus half the number of ectomycorrhizal (EM) fungal taxa compared with Fagus (75 putative taxa). The relative abundance of the host tree the EM fungal richness decreased in the order Fagus > Tilia >> Carpinus. After correction for similar sampling intensities, EM fungal species richness of Carpinus was still about 30–40% lower than that of Fagus and Tilia. About 10% of the mycorrhizal species were shared among the EM forming trees; 29% were associated with two host tree species and 61% with only one of the hosts. The latter group consisted mainly of rare EM fungal species colonizing about 20% of the root tips and included known specialists but also putative non-host associations such as conifer or shrub mycorrhizas. Our data indicate that EM fungal species richness was associated with tree identity and suggest that Fagus secures EM fungal diversity in an ecosystem since it shared more common EM fungi with Tilia and Carpinus than the latter two among each other.     

Leaf litter decomposition in temperate deciduous forest stands with a decreasing fraction of beech (Fagus sylvatica)

We hypothesised that the decomposition rates of leaf litter will increase along a gradient of decreasing fraction of the European beech (Fagus sylvatica) and increasing tree species diversity in the generally beech-dominated Central European temperate deciduous forests due to an increase in litter quality. We studied the decomposition of leaf litter including its lignin fraction in monospecific (pure beech) stands and in stands with up to five tree genera (Acer spp., Carpinus betulus, Fagus sylvatica, Fraxinus excelsior, Tilia spp.) using a litterbag approach. Litter and lignin decomposition was more rapid in stand-representative litter from multispecific stands than in litter from pure beech stands. Except for beech litter, the decomposition rates of species-specific tree litter did not differ significantly among the stand types, but were most rapid in Fraxinus excelsior and slowest in beech in an interspecific comparison. Pairwise comparisons of the decomposition of beech litter with litter of the other tree species (except for Acer platanoides) revealed a “home field advantage” of up to 20% (more rapid litter decomposition in stands with a high fraction of its own species than in stands with a different tree species composition). Decomposition of stand-representative litter mixtures displayed additive characteristics, not significantly more rapid than predicted by the decomposition of litter from the individual tree species. Leaf litter decomposition rates were positively correlated with the initial N and Ca concentrations of the litter, and negatively with the initial C:N, C:P and lignin:N ratios. The results support our hypothesis that the overall decomposition rates are mainly influenced by the chemical composition of the individual litter species. Thus, the fraction of individual tree species in the species composition seems to be more important for the litter decomposition rates than tree species diversity itself.     

Mixed leaf litter effects on decomposition rates and soil microarthropod communities in an oak–pine stand in Japan

Rates of decomposition, and soil faunal abundance and diversity associated with single-species and mixed-species litters were studied in a litter bag experiment in an oak–pine forest. We used two canopy species of leaf litter, pine and oak, and one shrub species, Sasa, and compared decomposition rates, and soil microarthropod abundance and community structure of oribatid mites in the litter bags. Mass loss of single species decreased in the order: oak > pine > Sasa. While the total mass loss rates of mixed litter were intermediate between those of the constituent species, enhancement of mass loss from the three-species mixture and from mixed slow-decomposing litters (pine and Sasa) was observed. Faunal abundance in litter bags was higher in mixed-species litter than in those with single-species litter, and species richness of oribatid mites was also higher in the three-species mixed litter. Faunal abundance in single-species litter bags was not correlated with mass loss, although enhancement of mass loss in mixed litter bags corresponded with higher microarthropod abundance. Habitat heterogeneity in mixed litter bags seemed to be responsible for the more abundant soil microarthropod community.     

乔木根系和凋落物对南亚热带3种人工林土壤线虫群落的差异化影响

根系分泌物和凋落物为土壤食物网提供了基础的养分资源。然而,不同树种纯林和混交林地下根系和地上凋落物对土壤线虫群落的影响机制尚不清楚。2019年9月在广西凭祥热带林业实验中心选取格木(Erythrophleum fordii Oliv.)纯林、马尾松(Pinus massoniana Lamb.)纯林和格木×马尾松混交林3种林分类型,分别设置对照、阻断乔木根系、去除地上凋落物和阻断乔木根系并去除地上凋落物四组实验处理,于2021年3月对3种林分类型不同处理下的土壤线虫群落和土壤理化性质进行了调查。研究结果表明,无论哪种林分类型,阻断根系改变了土壤线虫群落的营养类群组成,显著降低了食真菌线虫相对多度,增加了植物寄生线虫相对多度;去除凋落物显著降低了土壤线虫密度、类群数、线虫通路比值和结构指数,增加了基础指数,表明去除凋落物降低了土壤食物网的稳定性。无论哪种林分类型,人工林中树木地下根系输入是构建土壤线虫群落营养类群组成的主要驱动因素,地上凋落物在维持土壤食物网稳定性方面发挥着重要的作用。此外,阻断根系和去除凋落物对混交林中土壤线虫群落没有显著的影响,表明含固氮树种的格木×马尾松混交林比人工...