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Nardi D, Fontaneto D, Girardi M, Chini I, Bertoldi D, Larcher R, Vernesi C. Impact of forest disturbance on microarthropod communities depends on underlying ecological gradients and species traits. PeerJ 2023; 11:e15959. [PMID: 37814629 PMCID: PMC10560493 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.15959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Windstorms and salvage logging lead to huge soil disturbance in alpine spruce forests, potentially affecting soil-living arthropods. However, the impacts of forest loss and possible interactions with underlying ecological gradients on soil microarthropod communities remain little known, especially across different environmental conditions. Here we used DNA metabarcoding approach to study wind-induced disturbances on forest communities of springtails and soil mites. In particular, we aimed to test the effect of forest soil disturbance on the abundance, richness, species composition, and functional guilds of microarthropods. We sampled 29 pairs of windfall-forest sites across gradients of elevation, precipitation, aspect and slope, 2 years after a massive windstorm, named Vaia, which hit North-Eastern Italy in October 2018. Our results showed that wind-induced disturbances led to detrimental impacts on soil-living communities. Abundance of microarthropods decreased in windfalls, but with interacting effects with precipitation gradients. Operative Taxonomic Units (OTU) richness strongly decreased in post-disturbance sites, particularly affecting plant-feeder trophic guilds. Furthermore, species composition analyses revealed that communities occurring in post-disturbance sites were different to those in undisturbed forests (i.e., stands without wind damage). However, variables at different spatial scales played different roles depending on the considered taxon. Our study contributes to shed light on the impacts on important, but often neglected arthropod communities after windstorm in spruce forests. Effects of forest disturbance are often mediated by underlying large scale ecological gradients, such as precipitation and topography. Massive impacts of stronger and more frequent windstorms are expected to hit forests in the future; given the response we recorded, mediated by environmental features, forest managers need to take site-specific conservation measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Nardi
- DAFNAE, University of Padua, Legnaro, Italy
- Forest Ecology Unit/Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele all’Adige, Italy
- Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection, National Research Council, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Diego Fontaneto
- Water Research Institute, National Research Council, Verbania Pallanza, Italy
- National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, Italy
| | - Matteo Girardi
- Conservation Genomics Unit/Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele all’Adige, Italy
| | - Isaac Chini
- Forest Ecology Unit/Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele all’Adige, Italy
| | - Daniela Bertoldi
- Technology and Transfer Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele all’Adige, Italy
| | - Roberto Larcher
- Technology and Transfer Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele all’Adige, Italy
| | - Cristiano Vernesi
- Forest Ecology Unit/Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele all’Adige, Italy
- National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, Italy
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Effects of Livestock Pressure and Vegetation Cover on the Spatial and Temporal Structure of Soil Microarthropod Communities in Iberian Rangelands. FORESTS 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/f11060628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Forests, including their soils, play an important role since they represent a large reservoir of biodiversity. Current studies show that the diversity of soil fauna provides multiple ecosystem functions and services across biomes. However, anthropogenic practices often pose a threat to soil fauna because of changes in land use and soil mismanagement. In these terms, rangelands in the southwest of Spain present several problems of soil degradation related to livestock activity and soil erosion, the intensity of which compromises the soil fauna’s functions in the ecosystem. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the response of community metrics and the spatial distribution of soil microarthropods to livestock activity and vegetation in such ecosystems. A photo interpretation analysis of an experimental catchment used as a study area was developed to identify and classify the intensity of livestock pressure. A total of 150 soil samples were collected throughout 2018. Soil biological (CO2 efflux) and physical-chemical parameters (pH, bulk density, organic matter, and water contents), and such meteorological variables as precipitation, temperature, and evapotranspiration were considered as variables affecting the composition of microarthropod communities in terms of taxa diversity, abundances, and their adaptation to soil environment (evaluated by QBS-ar index). Results showed higher abundance of microarthropods and higher adaptation to soil environment outside the influence of trees rather than beneath tree canopies. Moreover, the classification of livestock pressure revealed by the photo interpretation analysis showed low correlations with community structure, as well as with the occurrence of well-adapted microarthropod groups that were found less frequently in areas with evidence of intense livestock activity. Furthermore, abundances and adaptations followed different spatial patterns. Due to future climate changes and increasing anthropogenic pressure, it is necessary to continue the study of soil fauna communities to determine their degree of sensitivity to such changes.
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Thakur MP, Phillips HRP, Brose U, De Vries FT, Lavelle P, Loreau M, Mathieu J, Mulder C, Van der Putten WH, Rillig MC, Wardle DA, Bach EM, Bartz MLC, Bennett JM, Briones MJI, Brown G, Decaëns T, Eisenhauer N, Ferlian O, Guerra CA, König‐Ries B, Orgiazzi A, Ramirez KS, Russell DJ, Rutgers M, Wall DH, Cameron EK. Towards an integrative understanding of soil biodiversity. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2020; 95:350-364. [PMID: 31729831 PMCID: PMC7078968 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Revised: 10/07/2019] [Accepted: 10/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Soil is one of the most biodiverse terrestrial habitats. Yet, we lack an integrative conceptual framework for understanding the patterns and mechanisms driving soil biodiversity. One of the underlying reasons for our poor understanding of soil biodiversity patterns relates to whether key biodiversity theories (historically developed for aboveground and aquatic organisms) are applicable to patterns of soil biodiversity. Here, we present a systematic literature review to investigate whether and how key biodiversity theories (species-energy relationship, theory of island biogeography, metacommunity theory, niche theory and neutral theory) can explain observed patterns of soil biodiversity. We then discuss two spatial compartments nested within soil at which biodiversity theories can be applied to acknowledge the scale-dependent nature of soil biodiversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madhav P. Thakur
- Department of Terrestrial EcologyNetherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO‐KNAW)WageningenGelderland, The Netherlands
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv), Halle‐Jena‐LeipzigLeipzigSaxony, Germany
- Institute of Biology, Leipzig UniversityLeipzigSaxony, Germany
| | - Helen R. P. Phillips
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv), Halle‐Jena‐LeipzigLeipzigSaxony, Germany
| | - Ulrich Brose
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv), Halle‐Jena‐LeipzigLeipzigSaxony, Germany
- Institute of Biodiversity, Friedrich Schiller University JenaJenaThuringia, Germany
| | - Franciska T. De Vries
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of ManchesterManchesterNorth West England, UK
| | | | - Michel Loreau
- Centre for Biodiversity Theory and Modelling, Theoretical and Experimental Ecology Station, CNRS and Paul Sabatier UniversityMoulisOccitanie, France
| | - Jerome Mathieu
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, UPECParisÎle-de-France, France
| | - Christian Mulder
- Department BiologicalGeological and Environmental Sciences, University of CataniaCataniaSicily, Italy
| | - Wim H. Van der Putten
- Department of Terrestrial EcologyNetherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO‐KNAW)WageningenGelderland, The Netherlands
- Laboratory of NematologyWageningen UniversityWageningenGelderland, The Netherlands
| | - Matthias C. Rillig
- Freie Universität Berlin, Institute of BiologyBerlinGermany
- Berlin‐Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research (BBIB)BerlinGermany
| | - David A. Wardle
- Asian School for the Environment, Nanyang Technological UniversitySingaporeSingapore
| | - Elizabeth M. Bach
- Department of Biology and School of Global Environmental SustainabilityColorado State UniversityFort CollinsCOUSA
| | - Marie L. C. Bartz
- Center of Functional Ecology, Department of Life SciencesUniversity of CoimbraCoimbraCentro, Portugal
- Universidade Positivo, Rua Professor Pedro Viriato Parigot de SouzaCuritiba Paraná, Brazil
| | - Joanne M. Bennett
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv), Halle‐Jena‐LeipzigLeipzigSaxony, Germany
- Institute of Biology, Martin Luther University Halle‐WittenbergHalle (Saale)Saxony-Anhalt, Germany
| | - Maria J. I. Briones
- Departamento de Ecología y Biología AnimalUniversidad de VigoVigoGalicien, Spain
| | | | - Thibaud Decaëns
- Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive (CEFE UMR 5175, CNRS–Université de Montpellier–Université Paul‐Valéry Montpellier–EPHE)MontpellierOccitanie, France
| | - Nico Eisenhauer
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv), Halle‐Jena‐LeipzigLeipzigSaxony, Germany
- Institute of Biology, Leipzig UniversityLeipzigSaxony, Germany
| | - Olga Ferlian
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv), Halle‐Jena‐LeipzigLeipzigSaxony, Germany
- Institute of Biology, Leipzig UniversityLeipzigSaxony, Germany
| | - Carlos António Guerra
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv), Halle‐Jena‐LeipzigLeipzigSaxony, Germany
- Institute of Biology, Martin Luther University Halle‐WittenbergHalle (Saale)Saxony-Anhalt, Germany
| | - Birgitta König‐Ries
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv), Halle‐Jena‐LeipzigLeipzigSaxony, Germany
- Institute of Computer Science, Friedrich Schiller University JenaJenaThuringia, Germany
| | - Alberto Orgiazzi
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Sustainable Resources DirectorateIspraVareseItaly
| | - Kelly S. Ramirez
- Department of Terrestrial EcologyNetherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO‐KNAW)WageningenGelderland, The Netherlands
| | - David J. Russell
- Senckenberg Museum of Natural History GörlitzGoerlitzSaxony, Germany
| | - Michiel Rutgers
- National Institute for Public Health and the EnvironmentBilthovenUtrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Diana H. Wall
- Department of Biology and School of Global Environmental SustainabilityColorado State UniversityFort CollinsCOUSA
| | - Erin K. Cameron
- Faculty of Biological and Environmental SciencesUniversity of HelsinkiHelsinki, Uusimaa, Finland
- Department of Environmental ScienceSaint Mary's UniversityHalifaxNova ScotiaCanada
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Liu J, Gao M, Liu J, Guo Y, Liu D, Zhu X, Wu D. Spatial distribution patterns of soil mite communities and their relationships with edaphic factors in a 30-year tillage cornfield in northeast China. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0199093. [PMID: 29953452 PMCID: PMC6023156 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0199093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2017] [Accepted: 05/31/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Spatial distribution is an important topic in community ecology and a key to understanding the structure and dynamics of populations and communities. However, the available information related to the spatial patterns of soil mite communities in long-term tillage agroecosystems remains insufficient. In this study, we examined the spatial patterns of soil mite communities to explain the spatial relationships between soil mite communities and soil parameters. Soil fauna were sampled three times (August, September and October 2015) at 121 locations arranged regularly within a 400 m × 400 m monitoring plot. Additionally, we estimated the physical and chemical parameters of the same sampling locations. The distribution patterns of the soil mite community and the edaphic parameters were analyzed using a range of geostatistical tools. Moran’s I coefficient showed that, during each sampling period, the total abundance of the soil mite communities and the abundance of the dominant mite populations were spatially autocorrelated. The soil mite communities demonstrated clear patchy distribution patterns within the study plot. These patterns were sampling period-specific. Cross-semivariograms showed both negative and positive cross-correlations between soil mite communities and environmental factors. Mantel tests showed a significant and positive relationship between soil mite community and soil organic matter and soil pH only in August. This study demonstrated that in the cornfield, the soil mite distribution exhibited strong or moderate spatial dependence, and the mites formed patches with sizes less than one hundred meters. In addition, in this long-term tillage agroecosystem, soil factors had less influence on the observed pattern of soil mite communities. Further experiments that take into account human activity and spatial factors should be performed to study the factors that drive the spatial distribution of soil microarthropods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Liu
- College of Earth Science, Jilin University, Changchun, China
- Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecology and Environment, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, China
| | - Meixiang Gao
- College of Geographical Sciences, Harbin Normal University, Harbin, China
- * E-mail: (DW); (MG)
| | - Jinwen Liu
- College of Earth Science, Jilin University, Changchun, China
- Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecology and Environment, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, China
- Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun, China
| | - Yuxi Guo
- College of Earth Science, Jilin University, Changchun, China
- Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecology and Environment, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, China
| | - Dong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecology and Environment, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, China
| | - Xinyu Zhu
- College of Environment and Planning, Shangqiu Normal University, Shangqiu, China
| | - Donghui Wu
- College of Earth Science, Jilin University, Changchun, China
- Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecology and Environment, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, China
- School of Environment, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology, Ministry of Education, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
- * E-mail: (DW); (MG)
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