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Zeng X, Gao H, Wang R, Majcher BM, Woon JS, Wenda C, Eggleton P, Griffiths HM, Ashton LA. Global contribution of invertebrates to forest litter decomposition. Ecol Lett 2024; 27:e14423. [PMID: 38584578 DOI: 10.1111/ele.14423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Forest litter decomposition is an essential component of global carbon and nutrient turnover. Invertebrates play important roles in litter decomposition, but the regional pattern of their effects is poorly understood. We examined 476 case studies across 93 sites and performed a meta-analysis to estimate regional effects of invertebrates on forest litter decomposition. We then assessed how invertebrate diversity, climate and soil pH drive regional variations in invertebrate-mediated decomposition. We found that (1) invertebrate contributions to litter decomposition are 1.4 times higher in tropical and subtropical forests than in forests elsewhere, with an overall contribution of 31% to global forest litter decomposition; and (2) termite diversity, together with warm, humid and acidic environments in the tropics and subtropics are positively associated with forest litter decomposition by invertebrates. Our results demonstrate the significant difference in invertebrate effects on mediating forest litter decomposition among regions. We demonstrate, also, the significance of termites in driving litter mass loss in the tropics and subtropics. These results are particularly pertinent in the tropics and subtropics where climate change and human disturbance threaten invertebrate biodiversity and the ecosystem services it provides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyi Zeng
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Huilin Gao
- Faculty of Business and Economics, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Runxi Wang
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Bartosz M Majcher
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Joel S Woon
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, London, UK
| | - Cheng Wenda
- School of Ecology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong, China
| | - Paul Eggleton
- Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, London, UK
| | | | - Louise A Ashton
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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Zhang G, Gao M, Chen Y, Wang Y, Gan T, Zhu F, Liu H. The First Complete Mitochondrial Genome of the Genus Litostrophus: Insights into the Rearrangement and Evolution of Mitochondrial Genomes in Diplopoda. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:254. [PMID: 38397243 PMCID: PMC10888367 DOI: 10.3390/genes15020254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
This study presents the complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of Litostrophus scaber, which is the first mitogenome of the genus Litostrophus. The mitogenome is a circular molecule with a length of 15,081 bp. The proportion of adenine and thymine (A + T) was 69.25%. The gene ND4L used TGA as the initiation codon, while the other PCGs utilized ATN (A, T, G, C) as the initiation codons. More than half of the PCGs used T as an incomplete termination codon. The transcription direction of the L. scaber mitogenome matched Spirobolus bungii, in contrast to most millipedes. Novel rearrangements were found in the L. scaber mitogenome: trnQ -trnC and trnL1- trnP underwent short-distance translocations and the gene block rrnS-rrnL-ND1 moved to a position between ND4 and ND5, resulting in the formation of a novel gene order. The phylogenetic analysis showed that L. scaber is most closely related to S. bungii, followed by Narceus magnum. These findings enhance our understanding of the rearrangement and evolution of Diplopoda mitogenomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaoji Zhang
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Key Laboratory of State Forestry and Grassland Administration on Subtropical Forest Biodiversity Conservation, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China; (G.Z.); (M.G.); (Y.C.); (Y.W.); (F.Z.)
| | - Ming Gao
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Key Laboratory of State Forestry and Grassland Administration on Subtropical Forest Biodiversity Conservation, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China; (G.Z.); (M.G.); (Y.C.); (Y.W.); (F.Z.)
| | - Yukun Chen
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Key Laboratory of State Forestry and Grassland Administration on Subtropical Forest Biodiversity Conservation, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China; (G.Z.); (M.G.); (Y.C.); (Y.W.); (F.Z.)
| | - Yinuo Wang
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Key Laboratory of State Forestry and Grassland Administration on Subtropical Forest Biodiversity Conservation, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China; (G.Z.); (M.G.); (Y.C.); (Y.W.); (F.Z.)
| | - Tianyi Gan
- College of Plant Health and Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China;
| | - Fuyuan Zhu
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Key Laboratory of State Forestry and Grassland Administration on Subtropical Forest Biodiversity Conservation, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China; (G.Z.); (M.G.); (Y.C.); (Y.W.); (F.Z.)
| | - Hongyi Liu
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Key Laboratory of State Forestry and Grassland Administration on Subtropical Forest Biodiversity Conservation, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China; (G.Z.); (M.G.); (Y.C.); (Y.W.); (F.Z.)
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Marin IN, Tiunov AV. Terrestrial crustaceans (Arthropoda, Crustacea): taxonomic diversity, terrestrial adaptations, and ecological functions. Zookeys 2023; 1169:95-162. [PMID: 38328027 PMCID: PMC10848873 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1169.97812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Terrestrial crustaceans are represented by approximately 4,900 species from six main lineages. The diversity of terrestrial taxa ranges from a few genera in Cladocera and Ostracoda to about a third of the known species in Isopoda. Crustaceans are among the smallest as well as the largest terrestrial arthropods. Tiny microcrustaceans (Branchiopoda, Ostracoda, Copepoda) are always associated with water films, while adult stages of macrocrustaceans (Isopoda, Amphipoda, Decapoda) spend most of their lives in terrestrial habitats, being independent of liquid water. Various adaptations in morphology, physiology, reproduction, and behavior allow them to thrive in virtually all geographic areas, including extremely arid habitats. The most derived terrestrial crustaceans have acquired highly developed visual and olfactory systems. The density of soil copepods is sometimes comparable to that of mites and springtails, while the total biomass of decapods on tropical islands can exceed that of mammals in tropical rainforests. During migrations, land crabs create record-breaking aggregations and biomass flows for terrestrial invertebrates. The ecological role of terrestrial microcrustaceans remains poorly studied, while omnivorous macrocrustaceans are important litter transformers and soil bioturbators, occasionally occupying the position of the top predators. Notably, crustaceans are the only group among terrestrial saprotrophic animals widely used by humans as food. Despite the great diversity and ecological impact, terrestrial crustaceans, except for woodlice, are often neglected by terrestrial ecologists. This review aims to narrow this gap discussing the diversity, abundance, adaptations to terrestrial lifestyle, trophic relationships and ecological functions, as well as the main methods used for sampling terrestrial crustaceans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan N. Marin
- A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119071, RussiaA.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of SciencesMoscowRussia
| | - Alexei V. Tiunov
- A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119071, RussiaA.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of SciencesMoscowRussia
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Dobrovodská M, Kanka R, Gajdoš P, Krištín A, Kollár J, Stašiov S, Lieskovský J. Factors affecting the biodiversity of historical landscape elements: detailed analyses from three case studies in Slovakia. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2023; 195:674. [PMID: 37188810 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-023-11035-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
A direct, positive correlation between biodiversity and the traditional agricultural landscape is evident on the national or regional scale. It is mostly conditioned by higher landscape diversity and less intensive farming. We have carried out research on a detailed scale at plot level (productive plots of arable lands, grasslands, vineyards, orchards, and unproductive agrarian landforms (mostly field margins) such as terraced slopes, terraced steps, heaps, mounds, and unconsolidated walls) in three traditional agricultural landscapes: the mountain village Liptovská Teplička, the vineyard landscape in Svätý Jur, and dispersed settlements in a submontane area in Hriňová. We determined the statistical significance of the impact of the selected landscape ecological factors (a set of factors concerning land use and management, agrarian landforms and relief properties) on the distribution of vegetation and selected invertebrate groups (spiders, millipedes, grasshoppers, and crickets). We also explored whether maintaining traditional land use and traditional management helped to enhance the biodiversity. We found that the management regime is the most important factor determining the species composition of vascular plants and all studied animal groups. Also, present land use and agrarian landforms character (type, skeleton content, continuity) are significant factors. Our expectation of a positive relationship between biodiversity and the maintaining traditional land use and traditional management was, in general, not confirmed: such a relation was only found in Svätý Jur for biodiversity of spiders.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Dobrovodská
- Institute of Landscape Ecology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Štefániková 3, 814 99, Bratislava, Slovakia.
| | - R Kanka
- Institute of Landscape Ecology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - P Gajdoš
- Institute of Landscape Ecology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Branch Nitra, Slovakia
| | - A Krištín
- Institute of Forest Ecology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Zvolen, Slovakia
| | - J Kollár
- Institute of Landscape Ecology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - S Stašiov
- Department of Biology and General Ecology, Faculty of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Technical University in Zvolen, Zvolen, Slovakia
| | - J Lieskovský
- Institute of Landscape Ecology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Branch Nitra, Slovakia
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Vittori M, Dominko M. A bibliometric analysis of research on terrestrial isopods. Zookeys 2022; 1101:13-34. [PMID: 36760969 PMCID: PMC9848840 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1101.81016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Terrestrial isopods (Oniscidea) are crustaceans that thrive in terrestrial environments. This study provides an overview of the major topics in terrestrial isopod research during the last 70 years in order to provide an example of publication practices in invertebrate zoology and to examine how basic research in this area is transferred to its applications. Co-citation analysis and bibliographic coupling based on citation data from the Web of Science Core Collection was used. Findings show that while research on terrestrial isopods expanded in applicative research prioritised by research policies, basic research continues to flourish. The most productive countries in the field include the major developed economies and several smaller nations. In the smaller countries, as well as in France and Italy, the bulk of woodlouse research is performed at a few institutions with traditions in this field. Some of the most influential works have been published in periodicals or monographs that are not indexed in Web of Science or Scopus and lack impact factors. Conference proceedings represent some of the most influential publications in the field. Our findings indicate that smaller and developing economies make significant contributions in invertebrate zoology if their research organisations can achieve continuity of research on a topic. Another conclusion is that journal metrics may be a misleading descriptor of the impact of studies and researchers in this field. Ultimately, these results identify several examples of how basic research in invertebrate zoology leads to applications with considerable socio-economic impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miloš Vittori
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Večna pot 111, SI-1000 Ljubljana, SloveniaUniversity of LjubljanaLjubljanaSlovenia
| | - Miha Dominko
- Institute for Economic Research, Kardeljeva ploščad 17, 1109 Ljubljana, SloveniaInstitute for Economic ResearchLjubljanaSlovenia
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Boeraeve P, Arijs G, Segers S, Brosens D, Desmet P, Swinnen K, Lambrechts J, De Smedt P. Inventory of the terrestrial isopods in Belgium (2011-2020). Zookeys 2022; 1101:57-69. [PMID: 36760977 PMCID: PMC9848985 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1101.65810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
This data paper describes a recent and spatially complete inventory of the terrestrial isopods of Belgium between 2011 and 2020. During these 10 years every 10 × 10 km² cell of the Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) grid in Belgium (373 grid cells) was visited in search for terrestrial isopods. Inventories covered different habitat types in every grid cell such as forest, wetlands or stream sides, and urban areas. Most of the dataset records were obtained by hand-collection methods such as turning stones and dead wood, or by sieving litter and through casual observations. These inventories were carried out by specialists from Spinicornis, the Belgian Terrestrial Isopod Group. Their data is complemented with pitfall trap data from scientific projects and verified citizen science data collected via waarnemingen.be and observations.be from the same time period. This resulted in 19,406 dataset records of 35 terrestrial isopod species. All dataset records are georeferenced using the centroid of their respective 5 × 5 km² UTM grid cell. The dataset is published as open data and available through the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). Direct link to the dataset: https://doi.org/10.15468/mw9c66.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pepijn Boeraeve
- Spinicornis, Mispeldonk 2, 2820 Bonheiden, BelgiumSpinicornisBonheidenBelgium
| | - Gert Arijs
- Spinicornis, Mispeldonk 2, 2820 Bonheiden, BelgiumSpinicornisBonheidenBelgium
| | - Stijn Segers
- Spinicornis, Mispeldonk 2, 2820 Bonheiden, BelgiumSpinicornisBonheidenBelgium
| | - Dimitri Brosens
- Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO), Havenlaan 88 bus 73, BelgiumResearch Institute for Nature and ForestHavenlaanBelgium,The Belgian Biodiversity Platform, WTC III, Boulevard Simon Bolivar 30, 1000 Brussels, BelgiumThe Belgian Biodiversity PlatformBrusselsBelgium
| | - Peter Desmet
- Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO), Havenlaan 88 bus 73, BelgiumResearch Institute for Nature and ForestHavenlaanBelgium
| | - Kristijn Swinnen
- Natuurpunt Studie, Coxiestraat 11, 2800 Mechelen, BelgiumNatuurpunt StudieMechelenBelgium
| | - Jorg Lambrechts
- Natuurpunt Studie, Coxiestraat 11, 2800 Mechelen, BelgiumNatuurpunt StudieMechelenBelgium
| | - Pallieter De Smedt
- Spinicornis, Mispeldonk 2, 2820 Bonheiden, BelgiumSpinicornisBonheidenBelgium,Ghent University, Forest & Nature Lab, Geraardsbergsesteenweg 267, 9090 Gontrode (Melle), BelgiumGhent UniversityGontrodeBelgium
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Grazing Effects of Soil Fauna on White-Rot Fungi: Biomass, Enzyme Production and Litter Decomposition Ability. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8040348. [PMID: 35448579 PMCID: PMC9032049 DOI: 10.3390/jof8040348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Soil invertebrates and microorganisms are two major drivers of litter decomposition. Even though the importance of invertebrates and microorganisms in biogeochemical soil cycles and soil food webs has been studied, the effects of invertebrates on fungi are not well understood compared to other organisms. In this work, we investigated the effects of soil invertebrates on fungi as a factor that cannot be ignored in the study of nutrient cycling. The result showed the grazing of isopods on white-rot fungi was transitive and persistent. The grazed fungi appeared “compensatory” growing. The biomass of fungi increased after grazing. The activities of enzymes associated with nutrient cycling were increased under grazing. The zymography images showed the enzyme hotspots and activities also increased significantly in the grazing area. The results suggest that invertebrate grazing can significantly increase the fungal biomass and enzyme activity, accelerating litter decomposition in the unreached grazer area. The grazing effects of invertebrate plays an important role in promoting the nutrient cycling of the forest ecosystem. We believe that this study will be a good reference related to showing the relationship between soil invertebrates, fungi and soil biogeochemical cycles.
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Della Rocca F, Venturo A, Milanesi P, Bracco F. Effects of natural and seminatural elements on the composition and dispersion of carabid beetles inhabiting an agroecosystem in Northern Italy. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:10526-10537. [PMID: 34367594 PMCID: PMC8328445 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The natural and seminatural components of agricultural landscapes play a key role in maintaining a high level of biodiversity. Being the Po Valley one of the most human-dominated and intensively cultivated landscapes in Europe, we investigated the effect of no-crop habitats on carabid richness and composition and evaluated the role of tree row as corridor for forest carabid dispersion. Carabids were sampled with 70 pitfall traps arranged in 35 sampling plots along three parallel transects (80, 100, and 140 m long) and encompassing five different habitats: tree row, tree row edge, grassland, forest edge, and forest. We found 5,615 individuals belonging to 55 species. Despite the similarity in species richness, all the habitats investigated showed a peculiar and distinct species assemblage. The main distinction was between the "open habitat" cluster composed of grassland and tree row edge and the "forest" cluster composed of forest, tree row, and forest edge. We found that forest species are able to penetrate the grassland matrix up to 30 m from the forest edge and that a distance of no more than 60 m between tree row and forest can allow the passage of up to 50% of the forest species. Beyond this distance, the grassland matrix becomes a barrier, preventing them from reaching other suitable habitats. Our findings confirm the importance of maintaining different types of natural habitats to significantly increase biodiversity in an intensively cultivated agroecosystem and demonstrated the role of linear elements as a corridor and "stepping stones" for many forest species.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alfredo Venturo
- Departement of EcologyCzech University of Life Sciences PraguePragueCzech Republic
| | | | - Francesco Bracco
- Departement of Earth and Environmental SciencesUniversity of PaviaPaviaItaly
- Botanical GardenUniversity of PaviaPaviaItaly
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Temporal Aspect of the Terrestrial Invertebrate Response to Moisture Dynamic in Technosols formed after Reclamation at a Post-Mining Site in Ukrainian Steppe Drylands. EKOLÓGIA (BRATISLAVA) 2021. [DOI: 10.2478/eko-2021-0020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Different approaches were applied to assess soil moisture optima and tolerance of the ecological niche temporal projection of terrestrial invertebrates within an experimental polygon created to investigate the reclamation processes after deep underground hard-rock mining in the Ukrainian steppe drylands. Sampling was carried out in 2013–2015 on a variant of artificial soil (technosols). To investigate the spatiotemporal variation in the abundance, species richness and species composition of invertebrate assemblages the animals were sampled using pitfall traps. The readily available water for plants, precipitation, wind speed, atmospheric temperature, atmospheric humidity, and atmospheric pressure were used as environmental predictors. The two-dimension geographic coordinates of the sampling locations were used to generate a set of orthogonal eigenvector-based spatial variables. Time series of sampling dates were used to generate a set of orthogonal eigenvector-based temporal variables. Weighted averaging, generalized linear mixed models, Huisman-Olff-Fresco models expanded by Jansen-Oksanen, correspondence analysis, and constrained correspondence analysis were used to estimate soil moisture species optima and tolerance. The moisture content in the technosols was revealed to be the most important factor determining the temporal dynamics of terrestrial invertebrate community in conditions of semi-arid climate and the ecosystem which formed as a result of the reclamation process. The species response to the soil water content is affected not only by the soil water content but also by the complex of the other environmental, temporal, and spatial factors. The effect of other factors on the species response must be extracted previously to find real estimations of the species optima and tolerance.
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Invasive knotweed modifies predator–prey interactions in the soil food web. Biol Invasions 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-021-02485-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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COVID-19 Pandemic Turns Life-Science Students into “Citizen Scientists”: Data Indicate Multiple Negative Effects of Urbanization on Biota. SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su13052992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic and its restrictions strongly affect the higher education community and require diverse teaching strategies. We designed a course where we combined online teaching with independently conducted ecological data collections by students using a “citizen science” approach. The aim was to analyze the impact of urbanization on biota by comparing urban and rural grasslands. Seventy-five students successfully conducted the data collections and the results provide evidence for prevailing negative effects of urbanization. Individual numbers of ground-dwelling invertebrates (−25%) and pollinating insects (−33%) were generally lower in urban sites. Moreover, animal and seed predation were reduced in urban grasslands, indicating the potential of urbanization to alter ecosystem functions. Despite the general limitations of online teaching and citizen science approaches, outcomes of this course showed this combination can be a useful teaching strategy, which is why this approach could be used to more actively involve students in scientific research.
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Horňák O, Mock A, Šarapatka B, Tuf IH. Character of woodland fragments affects distribution of myriapod assemblages in agricultural landscape. Zookeys 2020; 930:139-151. [PMID: 32390751 PMCID: PMC7200881 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.930.48586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2019] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Fragments of woodland fulfil many irreplaceable functions in the agricultural landscape including being the main source of biodiversity of soil invertebrates. Due to intensive farming and land use changes, especially in the second half of the 20th century, fragments of woodland in agricultural landscape almost disappeared. This has led to a decrease in the diversity of invertebrates, especially those for which the presence of these woodland habitats in the landscape is a key element for survival. The aim of this study was to evaluate the importance of fragments of woodland (characterised by their area, vegetation structure, the amount of leaf litter layer and soil moisture) on the distribution of centipedes and millipedes (Myriapoda) in the agricultural landscape of South Moravia (Czech Republic). Myriapods were collected using pitfall traps during summer in 2016 and 2017. Results showed that activity-density of myriapods is positively correlated with thickness of the leaf litter layer. Moreover, the species richness of centipedes is positively correlated with increasing size of fragments of woodland although higher centipedes' activity-density was found in rather uniform woodlands in term of diversity of tree species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ondřej Horňák
- Palacký University Olomouc, Faculty of Science, Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Šlechtitelů 27, 78371, Olomouc, Czech Republic Palacký University Olomouc Czech Republic
| | - Andrej Mock
- Pavol Jozef Šafárik University, Faculty of Science, Institute of Biology and Ecology, Šrobárova 2, 04154, Košice, Slovakia Pavol Jozef Šafárik University Košice Slovakia
| | - Bořivoj Šarapatka
- Palacký University Olomouc, Faculty of Science, Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Šlechtitelů 27, 78371, Olomouc, Czech Republic Palacký University Olomouc Czech Republic
| | - Ivan Hadrián Tuf
- Palacký University Olomouc, Faculty of Science, Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Šlechtitelů 27, 78371, Olomouc, Czech Republic Palacký University Olomouc Czech Republic
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Tóth Z, Hornung E. Taxonomic and Functional Response of Millipedes (Diplopoda) to Urban Soil Disturbance in a Metropolitan Area. INSECTS 2019; 11:insects11010025. [PMID: 31905740 PMCID: PMC7022796 DOI: 10.3390/insects11010025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Revised: 12/24/2019] [Accepted: 12/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Urbanization, as a major cause of local species extinction and biotic homogenization, drastically alters soil life. Millipedes are a key group of soil macrodetritivores and significantly influence soil quality, mainly through their essential role in nutrient cycling. Therefore, studying their taxonomic and functional responses to urban disturbance is crucial, as they contribute to the provision of several soil-related ecosystem services in cities. Differently degraded rural, urban forests and other woody patches (e.g., parks, gardens, and cemeteries) were sampled on Buda and Pest sides of the Budapest metropolitan area divided by the Danube River. We measured the most relevant physical and chemical properties of topsoil to characterize habitats. We applied an urbanization index based on vegetation cover and built-up area of the study sites to quantify urban intensity. The composition of the assemblages was determined by the division of the city along the Danube. Urbanization was associated with a reduction in species and functional richness of millipedes on both sides of Budapest. β diversity and species turnover increased with urban intensity. Urban disturbance was the main driver in assembly of taxonomic and functional community composition. A new species (Cylindroiulus caeruleocinctus (Wood, 1864)) to the fauna of Budapest was found. Detritivore invertebrates depend on leaf litter and other dead organic matter types, therefore microsites providing these resources greatly improve their survival. Due to increasing urban disturbance, it is recommended to provide appropriate detritus and shelter sites as part of the management of green spaces in order to maintain species richness, abundance, and function of species.
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Consumption Performance of Five Detritivore Species Feeding on Alnus glutinosa L. Leaf Litter in a Microcosm Experiment. FORESTS 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/f10121080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The present study was performed to assess the feeding performance of five detritivore species in a microcosm design. The test animals were four millipede species, Telodeinopus aoutii (Demange), Epibolus pulchripes (Gerstäcker), Cylindroiulus caeruleocinctus (Wood), Glomeris hexasticha (Brandt), and one isopod species, Porcellio scaber (Latreille), all feeding on Alnus glutinosa L. leaf litter for five consecutive weeks. At the end of each one-week interval, litter consumption, animal fresh weight, and excrement production were measured. Then, the feeding activity parameters for each species were calculated. Between big-size animal species, higher leaf consumption rates of 12.3–30.9 mg dry weight day−1 individual−1 were calculated for T. aoutii compared to those of 3.72–8.25 mg dry weight day−1 individual−1 for E. pulchripes. However, there was no difference in the consumption rates among small-size animals ranging from 0.46 to 1.65 mg dry weight day−1 individual−1. Excrement production rates followed a similar trend, as the consumption rates and the animals’ body weight remained constant during the experiment. Time was an important factor influencing the feeding activity of the animals, especially for the big-size group. Overall, the average assimilation efficiency of these species varied from 13.7% to 53.3%. The results of the present work will be the first step for understanding the ecological needs of these decomposer species in soil ecosystems.
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Fontana S, Berg MP, Moretti M. Intraspecific niche partitioning in macrodetritivores enhances mixed leaf litter decomposition. Funct Ecol 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.13448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Simone Fontana
- Biodiversity and Conservation Biology Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL Birmensdorf Switzerland
| | - Matty P. Berg
- Animal Ecology Group Department of Ecological Science Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Amsterdam The Netherlands
- Community and Conservation Ecology Group Groningen Institute of Evolutionary Life Science University of Groningen Groningen The Netherlands
| | - Marco Moretti
- Biodiversity and Conservation Biology Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL Birmensdorf Switzerland
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Brousseau PM, Gravel D, Handa IT. Traits of litter-dwelling forest arthropod predators and detritivores covary spatially with traits of their resources. Ecology 2019; 100:e02815. [PMID: 31287928 PMCID: PMC6852231 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.2815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2018] [Revised: 05/10/2019] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
The functional trait approach proposes that relating traits of organisms within a community to variation in abiotic and biotic characteristics of their environment will provide insight on the mechanisms of community assembly. As traits at a given trophic level might act as filters for the selection of traits at another trophic level, we hypothesized that traits of consumers and of their resources covary in space. We evaluated complementary predictions about top‐down (negative) and bottom‐up (positive) trait covariation in a detrital food web. Additionally, we tested whether positive trait covariation was better explained by the Resource Concentration Hypothesis (i.e., most commonly represented trait values attract abundant consumers) or the Resource Specialization Hypothesis (i.e., resource diversity increases niche availability for the consumers). Macroarthopods were collected with pitfall traps over two summers in three forested sites of southern Quebec in 110 plots that varied in tree species composition. Six feeding traits of consumers (detritivores and predators) and six palatability traits of their resources (leaf litter and prey) were matched to assess spatial covariation. Trait matches included consumer biting force/resource toughness, detritivore mandibular gape/leaf thickness, predator/prey body size ratio, etc. Our results demonstrate for the first time a covariation between feeding traits of detritivores and palatability traits of leaf litter (31–34%), and between feeding traits of litter‐dwelling predators and palatability traits of potential prey (38–44%). The observed positive covariation supports both the Resource Concentration Hypothesis and Resource Specialization Hypothesis. Spatial covariation of consumer and resource traits provides a new tool to partially predict the structure of the detrital food web. Nonetheless, top‐down regulation remains difficult to confirm. Further research on top‐down processes will be undoubtedly necessary to refine our capacity to interpret the effect of biotic interactions on co‐distribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre-Marc Brousseau
- Département des Sciences Biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, H2X 1Y4, Canada
| | - Dominique Gravel
- Canada Research Chair in Integrative Ecology, Département de Biologie, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, J1K 2X9, Canada
| | - I Tanya Handa
- Département des Sciences Biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, H2X 1Y4, Canada
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De Smedt P, Baeten L, Proesmans W, Van de Poel S, Van Keer J, Giffard B, Martin L, Vanhulle R, Brunet J, Cousins SA, Decocq G, Deconchat M, Diekmann M, Gallet‐Moron E, Le Roux V, Liira J, Valdés A, Wulf M, Andrieu E, Hermy M, Bonte D, Verheyen K. Strength of forest edge effects on litter‐dwelling macro‐arthropods across Europe is influenced by forest age and edge properties. DIVERS DISTRIB 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.12909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Lander Baeten
- Forest & Nature Lab Ghent University Melle‐Gontrode Belgium
| | | | | | | | - Brice Giffard
- UMR 1201 DYNAFOR, INRA Chemin de Borde Rouge Castanet France
- Bordeaux Sciences Agro Université Bordeaux Gradignan France
| | - Ludmilla Martin
- Jules Verne University of Picardie UR Ecologie et Dynamique des Systèmes Anthropisés (EDYSAN, UMR 7058 CNRS) Amiens Cedex France
| | | | - Jörg Brunet
- Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Alnarp Sweden
| | - Sara A.O. Cousins
- Biogeography and Geomatics, Department of Physical Geography Stockholm University Stockholm Sweden
| | - Guillaume Decocq
- Jules Verne University of Picardie UR Ecologie et Dynamique des Systèmes Anthropisés (EDYSAN, UMR 7058 CNRS) Amiens Cedex France
| | - Marc Deconchat
- UMR 1201 DYNAFOR, INRA Chemin de Borde Rouge Castanet France
| | - Martin Diekmann
- Institute of Ecology, FB02 University of Bremen Bremen Germany
| | - Emilie Gallet‐Moron
- Jules Verne University of Picardie UR Ecologie et Dynamique des Systèmes Anthropisés (EDYSAN, UMR 7058 CNRS) Amiens Cedex France
| | - Vincent Le Roux
- Jules Verne University of Picardie UR Ecologie et Dynamique des Systèmes Anthropisés (EDYSAN, UMR 7058 CNRS) Amiens Cedex France
| | - Jaan Liira
- Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences University of Tartu Tartu Estonia
| | - Alicia Valdés
- Jules Verne University of Picardie UR Ecologie et Dynamique des Systèmes Anthropisés (EDYSAN, UMR 7058 CNRS) Amiens Cedex France
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences Stockholm University Stockholm Sweden
| | | | - Emilie Andrieu
- UMR 1201 DYNAFOR, INRA Chemin de Borde Rouge Castanet France
| | - Martin Hermy
- Division of Forest, Nature and Landscape University of Leuven Leuven Belgium
| | - Dries Bonte
- Terrestrial Ecology Unit (TEREC), Department of Biology Ghent University Ghent Belgium
| | - Kris Verheyen
- Forest & Nature Lab Ghent University Melle‐Gontrode Belgium
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18
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Smedt PD, Boeraeve P, Arijs G, Segers S. Woodlice of Belgium: an annotated checklist and bibliography (Isopoda, Oniscidea). Zookeys 2018:265-304. [PMID: 30564039 PMCID: PMC6288244 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.801.21894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2017] [Accepted: 03/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Woodlice are key organisms for nutrient cycling in many terrestrial ecosystems; however, knowledge on this invertebrate group is limited as for other soil fauna taxa. Here, we present an annotated checklist of the woodlice of Belgium, a small but densely populated country in Western Europe. We reviewed all 142 publications on Belgian woodlice, the oldest dating back to 1831 and re-identified all doubtful specimens from the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (RBINS) collection. These data is complemented with observations from extensive field surveys dating from March 2014 until December 2017. We report 36 species of woodlice with free-living populations for Belgium. Nine species can be added compared to the latest checklist published in 2000 being Hyloniscusriparius (C. Koch, 1838), Miktoniscuspatiencei Vandel, 1946, Trichoniscoidessarsi Patience, 1908, Haplophthalmusmontivagus Verhoeff, 1941, Porcelliomonticola Lereboullet, 1853, Metatrichoniscoidesleydigii (Weber, 1880), Trichoniscusalemannicus Verhoeff, 1917, Elumacaelata (Miers, 1877) and Philosciaaffinis Verhoeff, 1908. Two species are deleted from the checklist (Ligidiumgermanicum Verhoeff, 1901 and Armadillidiumdepressum Brandt, 1833) because records are doubtful and no material has been preserved. Additionally the data of the field surveys is used to determine a species status of occurrence in Belgium. For each species, a short overview of their first records is provided and their confirmation as part of the Belgian fauna, their current status, as well as a complete bibliography of the species in Belgium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pallieter De Smedt
- Forest & Nature Lab, Ghent University, Geraardsbergsesteenweg 267, 9090 Melle (Gontrode), Belgium Ghent University Ghent Belgium.,SPINICORNIS, Mispeldonk 2, 2820 Bonheiden, Belgium SPINICORNIS Ghent Belgium
| | - Pepijn Boeraeve
- SPINICORNIS, Mispeldonk 2, 2820 Bonheiden, Belgium SPINICORNIS Ghent Belgium
| | - Gert Arijs
- SPINICORNIS, Mispeldonk 2, 2820 Bonheiden, Belgium SPINICORNIS Ghent Belgium
| | - Stijn Segers
- SPINICORNIS, Mispeldonk 2, 2820 Bonheiden, Belgium SPINICORNIS Ghent Belgium
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Souty-Grosset C, Faberi A. Effect of agricultural practices on terrestrial isopods: a review. Zookeys 2018:63-96. [PMID: 30564032 PMCID: PMC6288264 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.801.24680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2018] [Accepted: 09/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Terrestrial isopods (approximately 3700 known species in the world) are encountered in temperate and tropical regions, from the seashore to high altitudes and from floodplain forests to deserts. They are known to contribute to soil biodiversity. Environmental factors and anthropogenic actions, particularly land use changes such as primarily agricultural practices, and urbanization affect soil biodiversity and their functions. Human practices, such as soil tillage, pesticide application, chemical pollution, along with soil acidification adversely affect isopod abundance and diversity. It is thus important to recognise the vital contributions of soil biodiversity in support of environmental quality protection through maintaining soil functions and their significance to sustainable land use. This review will also deal with recent studies attempting to evaluate the impact of returning to an environmentally friendly agriculture by restoring refuge habitats such as grass strips, hedges, and woodlands for terrestrial isopods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Souty-Grosset
- Université de Poitiers, UMR CNRS 7267, Laboratoire Ecologie et Biologie des Interactions, Equipe Ecologie Evolution Symbiose, 5 rue Albert Turpain, TSA 51106, 86073 Poitiers Cedex 9, France University of Poitiers Poitiers France
| | - Ariel Faberi
- Terapéutica Vegetal, Grupo Investigación Zoología Agrícola, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Argentina Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata Mar del Plata Argentina
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20
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Lin H, Zhao Y, Muyidong N, Tian K, He Z, Kong X, Sun S, Tian X. Secondary compounds of Pinus massoniana alter decomposers' effects on Quercus variabilis litter decomposition. Ecol Evol 2018; 8:9439-9450. [PMID: 30377513 PMCID: PMC6194249 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.4433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2018] [Revised: 05/10/2018] [Accepted: 07/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
A major gap to understand the effects of plant secondary compounds on litter decomposition in the brown food web is lack of information about how these secondary compounds modify the activities of soil decomposers. To address this question, we conducted an experiment where aqueous extracts and tannins prepared from Pinus massoniana needles were added to soils collected either from P. massoniana (pine soil) or Quercus variabilis (oak soil). Our objective was to investigate the cascading effects of the two compounds on isopod (Armadillidium vulgare) activity and subsequent change in Q. variabilis litter decomposition. We found that in pine soil, both aqueous extracts and tannins (especially at high concentrations) had positive effects on litter decomposition rates when isopods were present. While without isopods, litter decomposition was enhanced only by high concentrations of aqueous extracts, and tannins had no significant effect on decomposition. In oak soil, high concentrations of aqueous extracts and tannins inhibited litter decomposition and soil microbial biomass, regardless of whether isopods were present or not. Low concentrations of aqueous extracts increased litter decomposition rates and soil microbial biomass in oak soil in the absence of isopods. Based on our results, we suggest that the high concentration of secondary compounds in P. massoniana is a key factor influencing the effects of decomposers on litter decomposition rates, and tannins form a major part of secondary compounds. These funding particularly provide insight into form- and concentration-oriented effects of secondary compounds and promote our understanding of litter decomposition and soil nutrient cycling in forest ecosystem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Lin
- School of Life SciencesNanjing UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Yunxia Zhao
- School of Life SciencesNanjing UniversityNanjingChina
| | | | - Kai Tian
- School of Life SciencesNanjing UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Zaihua He
- School of Life SciencesNanjing UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Xiangshi Kong
- School of Life SciencesNanjing UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Shucun Sun
- School of Life SciencesNanjing UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Xingjun Tian
- School of Life SciencesNanjing UniversityNanjingChina
- Co‐Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern ChinaNanjing Forestry UniversityNanjingChina
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21
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Potential self-medication using millipede secretions in red-fronted lemurs: combining anointment and ingestion for a joint action against gastrointestinal parasites? Primates 2018; 59:483-494. [PMID: 30058024 DOI: 10.1007/s10329-018-0674-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2017] [Accepted: 07/03/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Self-anointing, referring to the behaviour of rubbing a material object or foreign substance over different parts of the body, has been observed in several vertebrate species, including primates. Several functions, such as detoxifying a rich food source, social communication and protection against ectoparasites, have been proposed to explain this behaviour. Here, we report observations of six wild red-fronted lemurs (Eulemur rufifrons) of both sexes and different age classes anointing their perianal-genital areas and tails with chewed millipedes. Several individuals also ingested millipedes after prolonged chewing. In light of the features of the observed interactions with millipedes, and the nature and potential metabolic pathways of the released chemicals, we suggest a potential self-medicative function. Specifically, we propose that anointing combined with the ingestion of millipedes' benzoquinone secretions by red-fronted lemurs may act in a complementary fashion against gastrointestinal parasite infections, and more specifically Oxyuridae nematodes, providing both prophylactic and therapeutic effects.
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22
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Patoine G, Thakur MP, Friese J, Nock C, Hönig L, Haase J, Scherer-Lorenzen M, Eisenhauer N. Plant litter functional diversity effects on litter mass loss depend on the macro-detritivore community. PEDOBIOLOGIA 2017; 65:29-42. [PMID: 29180828 PMCID: PMC5701737 DOI: 10.1016/j.pedobi.2017.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
A better understanding of the mechanisms driving litter diversity effects on decomposition is needed to predict how biodiversity losses affect this crucial ecosystem process. In a microcosm study, we investigated the effects of litter functional diversity and two major groups of soil macro-detritivores on the mass loss of tree leaf litter mixtures. Furthermore, we tested the effects of litter trait community means and dissimilarity on litter mass loss for seven traits relevant to decomposition. We expected macro-detritivore effects on litter mass loss to be most pronounced in litter mixtures of high functional diversity. We used 24 leaf mixtures differing in functional diversity, which were composed of litter from four species from a pool of 16 common European tree species. Earthworms, isopods, or a combination of both were added to each litter combination for two months. Litter mass loss was significantly higher in the presence of earthworms than in that of isopods, whereas no synergistic effects of macro-detritivore mixtures were found. The effect of functional diversity of the litter material was highest in the presence of both macro-detritivore groups, supporting the notion that litter diversity effects are most pronounced in the presence of different detritivore species. Species-specific litter mass loss was explained by nutrient content, secondary compound concentration, and structural components. Moreover, dissimilarity in N concentrations increased litter mass loss, probably because detritivores having access to nutritionally diverse food sources. Furthermore, strong competition between the two macro-detritivores for soil surface litter resulted in a decrease of survival of both macro-detritivores. These results show that the effects of litter functional diversity on decomposition are contingent upon the macro-detritivore community and composition. We conclude that the temporal dynamics of litter trait diversity effects and their interaction with detritivore diversity are key to advancing our understanding of litter mass loss in nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Patoine
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Center for Environmental Research and Technology, General and Theoretical Ecology, University of Bremen, Leobener Str, 28359 Bremen, Germany
| | - Madhav P. Thakur
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Biology, University of Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Julia Friese
- Institute of Ecology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Dornburger Strasse 159, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Charles Nock
- Department of Silviculture, Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources, University of Freiburg, Tennenbacherstrasse 4, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
- Geobotany, Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestr. 1, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Lydia Hönig
- Institute of Biology, Geobotany and Botanical Garden, Martin Luther University Halle Wittenberg, Am Kirchtor 1, 06108 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Josephine Haase
- Geobotany, Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestr. 1, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
- Institute for Terrestrial Ecosystems, Department of Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zurich, Universitaetsstrasse 16, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Michael Scherer-Lorenzen
- Department of Silviculture, Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources, University of Freiburg, Tennenbacherstrasse 4, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
- Geobotany, Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestr. 1, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Nico Eisenhauer
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Biology, University of Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
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23
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Steinwandter M, Schlick‐Steiner BC, Seeber GUH, Steiner FM, Seeber J. Effects of Alpine land-use changes: Soil macrofauna community revisited. Ecol Evol 2017; 7:5389-5399. [PMID: 28770076 PMCID: PMC5528212 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.3043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2017] [Accepted: 04/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Although soil invertebrates play a decisive role in maintaining ecosystem functioning, little is known about their structural composition in Alpine soils and how their abundances are affected by the currently ongoing land-use changes. In this study, we re-assessed the soil macrofauna community structure of managed and abandoned Alpine pastureland, which has already been evaluated 14 years earlier. Our results confirm clear shifts in the community composition after abandonment, in that (1) Chilopoda and Diplopoda were recorded almost exclusively on the abandoned sites, (2) Coleoptera larvae and Diptera larvae were more abundant on the abandoned than on the managed sites, whereas (3) Lumbricidae dominated on the managed sites. By revisiting managed and abandoned sites, we infer community patterns caused by abandonment such as changes in the epigeic earthworm community structure, and we discuss seasonal and sampling effects. Our case study improves the still limited understanding of spatio-temporal biodiversity patterns of Alpine soil communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Steinwandter
- Institute of EcologyUniversity of InnsbruckInnsbruckAustria
- Institute for Alpine EnvironmentEurac ResearchBozen/BolzanoItaly
| | | | - Gilg U. H. Seeber
- Institute of Political ScienceUniversity of InnsbruckInnsbruckAustria
| | | | - Julia Seeber
- Institute of EcologyUniversity of InnsbruckInnsbruckAustria
- Institute for Alpine EnvironmentEurac ResearchBozen/BolzanoItaly
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David JF, Coulis M. Millipedes faced with drought: the life cycle of a Mediterranean population of Ommatoiulussabulosus (Linnaeus) (Diplopoda, Julida, Julidae). Zookeys 2015:115-24. [PMID: 26257538 PMCID: PMC4523768 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.510.8838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2014] [Accepted: 05/04/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Growth, development and life-cycle duration of the millipede Ommatoiulussabulosus (f.aimatopodus) were studied in a Mediterranean shrubland of southern France and compared with previous data from northwest Europe. Changes in the proportions of stadia during the course of the year were analysed in several generations. The results show that stadia VII and VIII are consistently reached after the first year of growth, and stadia IX and X after the second year. First reproduction may occur at the age of two years in males reaching maturity at stadium X, but not until the age of three in those reaching maturity at stadia XI and XII. Reproduction cannot occur until at least the age of three in females, which carry mature eggs from stadium XI onwards. In comparison with more northern populations, life-cycle duration is not shorter in the Mediterranean population but there are marked differences in its phenology: the breeding period is in autumn, so that juveniles of stadia II to VI are never faced with the summer drought, and larger individuals are mostly inactive in summer; moreover, all individuals moult once every winter. The results illustrate how julid millipedes of humid temperate regions could respond to higher temperatures and drier summer conditions in the context of climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-François David
- Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle & Evolutive, UMR 5175, CNRS-Université de Montpellier, 1919 route de Mende, F-34170 Montpellier cedex 5, France
| | - Mathieu Coulis
- Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle & Evolutive, UMR 5175, CNRS-Université de Montpellier, 1919 route de Mende, F-34170 Montpellier cedex 5, France
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Bogyó D, Magura T, Nagy DD, Tóthmérész B. Distribution of millipedes (Myriapoda, Diplopoda) along a forest interior - forest edge - grassland habitat complex. Zookeys 2015; 510:181-95. [PMID: 26257542 PMCID: PMC4523772 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.510.8657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2014] [Accepted: 05/04/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
We studied the distribution of millipedes in a forest interior-forest edge-grassland habitat complex in the Hajdúság Landscape Protection Area (NE Hungary). The habitat types were as follows: (1) lowland oak forest, (2) forest edge with increased ground vegetation and shrub cover, and (3) mesophilous grassland. We collected millipedes by litter and soil sifting. There were overall 30 sifted litter and soil samples: 3 habitat types × 2 replicates × 5 soil and litter samples per habitats. We collected 9 millipede species; the most abundant species was Glomeristetrasticha, which was the most abundant species in the forest edge as well. The most abundant species in the forest interior was Kryphioiulusoccultus, while the most abundant species in the grassland was Megaphyllumunilineatum. Our result showed that the number of millipede species was significantly lower in the grassland than in the forest or in the edge, however there were no significant difference in the number of species between the forest interior and the forest edge. We found significantly the highest number of millipede individuals in the forest edge. There were differences in the composition of the millipede assemblages of the three habitats. The results of the DCCA showed that forest edge and forest interior habitats were clearly separated from the grassland habitats. The forest edge habitat was characterized by high air temperature, high soil moisture, high soil pH, high soil enzyme activity, high shrub cover and low canopy cover. The IndVal and the DCCA methods revealed the following character species of the forest edge habitats: Glomeristetrasticha and Leptoiuluscibdellus. Changes in millipede abundance and composition were highly correlated with the vegetation structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dávid Bogyó
- Department of Ecology, University of Debrecen, P.O. Box 71, Debrecen H-4010, Hungary
- Hortobágy National Park Directorate, P.O. Box 216, Debrecen H-4002, Hungary
| | - Tibor Magura
- Department of Ecology, University of Debrecen, P.O. Box 71, Debrecen H-4010, Hungary
| | - Dávid D. Nagy
- MTA-DE Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Research Group, P.O. Box 71, Debrecen H-4010, Hungary
| | - Béla Tóthmérész
- MTA-DE Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Research Group, P.O. Box 71, Debrecen H-4010, Hungary
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26
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Masson S, Faivre C, Giraud I, Souty-Grosset C, Cordaux R, Delaunay C, Bouchon D, Bech N. Development of a microsatellite primer set to investigate the genetic population structure of Armadillidium nasatum (Crustacea, Oniscidea). J Genet 2015; 93:545-9. [PMID: 25189257 DOI: 10.1007/s12041-014-0400-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Séverine Masson
- Laboratoire Écologie et Biologie des Interactions, Équipe Écologie Évolution Symbiose, Université de Poitiers, UMR CNRS 7267, 6 rue Michel Brunet, TSA 51106, 86073 Poitiers Cedex 9, France.
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A′Bear AD, Murray W, Webb R, Boddy L, Jones TH. Contrasting effects of elevated temperature and invertebrate grazing regulate multispecies interactions between decomposer fungi. PLoS One 2013; 8:e77610. [PMID: 24194892 PMCID: PMC3806825 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0077610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2013] [Accepted: 09/08/2013] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Predicting the influence of biotic and abiotic factors on species interactions and ecosystem processes is among the primary aims of community ecologists. The composition of saprotrophic fungal communities is a consequence of competitive mycelial interactions, and a major determinant of woodland decomposition and nutrient cycling rates. Elevation of atmospheric temperature is predicted to drive changes in fungal community development. Top-down regulation of mycelial growth is an important determinant of, and moderator of temperature-driven changes to, two-species interaction outcomes. This study explores the interactive effects of a 4 °C temperature increase and soil invertebrate (collembola or woodlice) grazing on multispecies interactions between cord-forming basidiomycete fungi emerging from colonised beech (Fagus sylvatica) wood blocks. The fungal dominance hierarchy at ambient temperature (16 °C; Phanerochaete velutina > Resinicium bicolor > Hypholoma fasciculare) was altered by elevated temperature (20 °C; R. bicolor > P. velutina > H. fasciculare) in ungrazed systems. Warming promoted the competitive ability of the fungal species (R. bicolor) that was preferentially grazed by all invertebrate species. As a consequence, grazing prevented the effect of temperature on fungal community development and maintained a multispecies assemblage. Decomposition of fungal-colonised wood was stimulated by warming, with implications for increased CO2 efflux from woodland soil. Analogous to aboveground plant communities, increasing complexity of biotic and abiotic interactions appears to be important in buffering climate change effects on soil decomposers.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Donald A′Bear
- Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - William Murray
- Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Rachel Webb
- Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Lynne Boddy
- Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - T. Hefin Jones
- Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
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Ott D, Rall BC, Brose U. Climate change effects on macrofaunal litter decomposition: the interplay of temperature, body masses and stoichiometry. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2013; 367:3025-32. [PMID: 23007091 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2012.0240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Macrofauna invertebrates of forest floors provide important functions in the decomposition process of soil organic matter, which is affected by the nutrient stoichiometry of the leaf litter. Climate change effects on forest ecosystems include warming and decreasing litter quality (e.g. higher C : nutrient ratios) induced by higher atmospheric CO(2) concentrations. While litter-bag experiments unravelled separate effects, a mechanistic understanding of how interactions between temperature and litter stoichiometry are driving decomposition rates is lacking. In a laboratory experiment, we filled this void by quantifying decomposer consumption rates analogous to predator-prey functional responses that include the mechanistic parameters handling time and attack rate. Systematically, we varied the body masses of isopods, the environmental temperature and the resource between poor (hornbeam) and good quality (ash). We found that attack rates increased and handling times decreased (i) with body masses and (ii) temperature. Interestingly, these relationships interacted with litter quality: small isopods possibly avoided the poorer resource, whereas large isopods exhibited increased, compensatory feeding of the poorer resource, which may be explained by their higher metabolic demands. The combination of metabolic theory and ecological stoichiometry provided critically important mechanistic insights into how warming and varying litter quality may modify macrofaunal decomposition rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Ott
- J. F. Blumenbach Institute of Zoology and Anthropology, Georg-August University, Berliner Strasse 28, 37073 Göttingen, Germany.
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Rief A, Knapp BA, Seeber J. Palatability of selected alpine plant litters for the decomposer Lumbricus rubellus (Lumbricidae). PLoS One 2012; 7:e45345. [PMID: 23028949 PMCID: PMC3445458 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0045345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2011] [Accepted: 08/21/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
On alpine pastureland the decline in large-bodied earthworm numbers and biomass after abandonment of management might be the result of a shift from highly palatable grass litter to poorly digestible leaf litter of dwarf shrubs. To test this hypothesis, we analysed nitrogen, phosphorous and total phenolic contents of fresh and aged litter of eight commonly occuring alpine plant species and compared consumption rates of these food sources in a controlled feeding experiment with Lumbricus rubellus (Lumbricidae). Furthermore, we analysed the microbial community structure of aged litter materials to check for a relationship between the microbial characteristics of the different plant litter types and the food choice of earthworms. Plant litters differed significantly in their chemical composition, earthworms, however, showed no preference for any litter species, but generally rejected fresh litter material. Microbial community structures of the litter types were significantly different, but we could find no evidence for selective feeding of L. rubellus. We conclude that L. rubellus is a widespread, adaptable ubiquist, which is able to feed on a variety of food sources differing in quality and palatability, as long as they have been exposed to wheathering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Rief
- Institute of Ecology, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Brigitte A. Knapp
- Institute of Microbiology, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Julia Seeber
- Institute of Ecology, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
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Crowther TW, Boddy L, Hefin Jones T. Functional and ecological consequences of saprotrophic fungus-grazer interactions. ISME JOURNAL 2012; 6:1992-2001. [PMID: 22717883 DOI: 10.1038/ismej.2012.53] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Saprotrophic fungi are key regulators of nutrient cycling in terrestrial ecosystems. They are the primary agents of plant litter decomposition and their hyphal networks, which grow throughout the soil-litter interface, represent highly dynamic channels through which nutrients are readily distributed. By ingesting hyphae and dispersing spores, soil invertebrates, including Arthropoda, Oligochaetae and Nematoda, influence fungal-mediated nutrient distribution within soil. Fungal physiological responses to grazing include changes to hydrolytic enzyme production and respiration rates. These directly affect nutrient mineralisation and the flux of CO(2) between terrestrial and atmospheric pools. Preferential grazing may also exert selective pressures on saprotrophic communities, driving shifts in fungal succession and community composition. These functional and ecological consequences of grazing are intrinsically linked, and influenced by invertebrate grazing intensity. High-intensity grazing often reduces fungal growth and activity, whereas low-intensity grazing can have stimulatory effects. Grazing intensity is directly related to invertebrate abundance, and varies dramatically between species and functional groups. Invertebrate diversity and community composition, therefore, represent key factors determining the functioning of saprotrophic fungal communities and the services they provide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas W Crowther
- Organisms and Environment Division, Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
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Tajovský K, Hošek J, Hofmeister J, Wytwer J. Assemblages of terrestrial isopods (Isopoda, Oniscidea) in a fragmented forest landscape in Central Europe. Zookeys 2012:189-98. [PMID: 22536108 PMCID: PMC3335414 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.176.2296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2011] [Accepted: 01/26/2012] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Terrestrial isopods were collected in 13 forest fragments differing in area (within the range of 0.1 and 254.5 ha), shape and composition of forest vegetation (thermophilous oak, mesophilous oak-hornbeam, thermophilous oak-hornbeam, acidophilous oak, basiphilous oak, beech oak-hornbeam, moist mixed deciduous forest, plantations of deciduous and coniferous trees), all situated in the Český kras Protected Landscape Area, Czech Republic, Central Europe. Number of sites sampled in each fragment of forest depended on its size and ranged from 1 to 7. Altogether 30 sites were sampled. Soil samples (5 per site collected twice a year) and pitfall trapping (5 traps per site in continuous operation throughout a year) during 2008–2009 yielded a total of 14 species of terrestrial isopods. The highest densities and highest epigeic activities of terrestrial isopods were recorded in the smallest fragments of woodland. Although a wider range of habitats were sampled in the larger fragments of woodland there was not a greater diversity of species there and the population densities and epigeic activities recorded there were lower. Porcellium collicola was most abundant in small fragments of woodland regardless the vegetation there. Armadillidium vulgare and Protracheoniscus politus were statistically more abundant in the larger fragments of woodland. The results indicate that forest fragmentation does not necessarily result in a decrease in the species richness of the isopod assemblages in such habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karel Tajovský
- Institute of Soil Biology, Biology Centre of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Na Sádkách 7, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
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Potential macro-detritivore range expansion into the subarctic stimulates litter decomposition: a new positive feedback mechanism to climate change? Oecologia 2011; 167:1163-75. [PMID: 21735203 PMCID: PMC3213348 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-011-2051-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2010] [Accepted: 06/06/2011] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
As a result of low decomposition rates, high-latitude ecosystems store large amounts of carbon. Litter decomposition in these ecosystems is constrained by harsh abiotic conditions, but also by the absence of macro-detritivores. We have studied the potential effects of their climate change-driven northward range expansion on the decomposition of two contrasting subarctic litter types. Litter of Alnus incana and Betula pubescens was incubated in microcosms together with monocultures and all possible combinations of three functionally different macro-detritivores (the earthworm Lumbricus rubellus, isopod Oniscus asellus, and millipede Julus scandinavius). Our results show that these macro-detritivores stimulated decomposition, especially of the high-quality A. incana litter and that the macro-detritivores tested differed in their decomposition-stimulating effects, with earthworms having the largest influence. Decomposition processes increased with increasing number of macro-detritivore species, and positive net diveristy effects occurred in several macro-detritivore treatments. However, after correction for macro-detritivore biomass, all interspecific differences in macro-detritivore effects, as well as the positive effects of species number on subarctic litter decomposition disappeared. The net diversity effects also appeared to be driven by variation in biomass, with a possible exception of net diversity effects in mass loss. Based on these results, we conclude that the expected climate change-induced range expansion of macro-detritivores into subarctic regions is likely to result in accelerated decomposition rates. Our results also indicate that the magnitude of macro-detritivore effects on subarctic decomposition will mainly depend on macro-detritivore biomass, rather than on macro-detritivore species number or identity.
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Hättenschwiler S, Coq S, Barantal S, Handa IT. Leaf traits and decomposition in tropical rainforests: revisiting some commonly held views and towards a new hypothesis. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2011; 189:950-965. [PMID: 21374832 DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2010.03483.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Proper estimates of decomposition are essential for tropical forests, given their key role in the global carbon (C) cycle. However, the current paradigm for litter decomposition is insufficient to account for recent observations and may limit model predictions for highly diverse tropical ecosystems. In light of recent findings from a nutrient-poor Amazonian rainforest, we revisit the commonly held views that: litter traits are a mere legacy of live leaf traits; nitrogen (N) and lignin are the key litter traits controlling decomposition; and favourable climatic conditions result in rapid decomposition in tropical forests. Substantial interspecific variation in litter phosphorus (P) was found to be unrelated to variation in green leaves. Litter nutrients explained no variation in decomposition, which instead was controlled primarily by non-lignin litter C compounds at low concentrations with important soil fauna effects. Despite near-optimal climatic conditions, tropical litter decomposition proceeded more slowly than in a climatically less favourable temperate forest. We suggest that slow decomposition in the studied rainforest results from a syndrome of poor litter C quality beyond a simple lignin control, enforcing energy starvation of decomposers.We hypothesize that the litter trait syndrome in nutrient-poor tropical rainforests may have evolved to increase plant access to limiting nutrients via mycorrhizal associations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan Hättenschwiler
- Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive (CEFE), CNRS, 1919 Route de Mende, F-34293 Montpellier Cedex 5, France.
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