1
|
Semeraro S, Kipf P, Le Bayon RC, Rasmann S. Solar radiation explains litter degradation along alpine elevation gradients better than other climatic or edaphic parameters. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1152187. [PMID: 37180240 PMCID: PMC10174231 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1152187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Organic matter (OM) decomposition has been shown to vary across ecosystems, suggesting that variation in local ecological conditions influences this process. A better understanding of the ecological factors driving OM decomposition rates will allow to better predict the effect of ecosystem changes on the carbon cycle. While temperature and humidity have been put forward as the main drivers of OM decomposition, the concomitant role of other ecosystem properties, such as soil physicochemical properties, and local microbial communities, remains to be investigated within large-scale ecological gradients. To address this gap, we measured the decomposition of a standardized OM source - green tea and rooibos tea - across 24 sites spread within a full factorial design including elevation and exposition, and across two distinct bioclimatic regions in the Swiss Alps. By analyzing OM decomposition via 19 climatic, edaphic or soil microbial activity-related variables, which strongly varied across sites, we identified solar radiation as the primary source of variation of both green and rooibos teabags decomposition rate. This study thus highlights that while most variables, such as temperature or humidity, as well as soil microbial activity, do impact decomposition process, in combination with the measured pedo-climatic niche, solar radiation, very likely by means of indirect effects, best captures variation in OM degradation. For instance, high solar radiation might favor photodegradation, in turn speeding up the decomposition activity of the local microbial communities. Future work should thus disentangle the synergistic effects of the unique local microbial community and solar radiation on OM decomposition across different habitats.
Collapse
|
2
|
Fattore S, Xiao Z, Godschalx AL, Röder G, Turlings TCJ, Le Bayon RC, Rasmann S. Bioturbation by endogeic earthworms facilitates entomopathogenic nematode movement toward herbivore-damaged maize roots. Sci Rep 2020; 10:21316. [PMID: 33277609 PMCID: PMC7718913 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-78307-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) have been extensively studied as potential biological control agents against root-feeding crop pests. Maize roots under rootworm attack have been shown to release volatile organic compounds, such as (E)-β-caryophyllene (Eβc) that guide EPNs toward the damaging larvae. As yet, it is unknown how belowground ecosystems engineers, such as earthworms, affect the biological control capacity of EPNs by altering the root Eβc-mediated tritrophic interactions. We here asked whether and how, the presence of endogeic earthworms affects the ability of EPNs to find root-feeding larvae of the beetle Diabrotica balteata. First, we performed a field mesocosm experiment with two diverse cropping systems, and revealed that the presence of earthworms increased the EPN infection potential of larvae near maize roots. Subsequently, using climate-controlled, olfactometer-based bioassays, we confirmed that EPNs response to Eβc alone (released from dispensers) was two-fold higher in earthworm-worked soil than in earthworm-free soil. Together our results indicate that endogeic earthworms, through burrowing and casting activities, not only change soil properties in a way that improves soil fertility but may also enhance the biocontrol potential of EPNs against root feeding pests. For an ecologically-sound pest reduction in crop fields, we advocate agricultural practices that favour earthworm community structure and diversity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sandrine Fattore
- Laboratory of Functional Ecology, University of Neuchâtel, Rue Emile-Argand 11, 2000, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Zhenggao Xiao
- Institute of Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, School of Environmental and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China
| | - Adrienne L Godschalx
- Laboratory of Functional Ecology, University of Neuchâtel, Rue Emile-Argand 11, 2000, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Gregory Röder
- Fundamental and Applied Research in Chemical Ecology, Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, Rue Emile Argand 11, 2000, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Ted C J Turlings
- Fundamental and Applied Research in Chemical Ecology, Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, Rue Emile Argand 11, 2000, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Renée-Claire Le Bayon
- Laboratory of Functional Ecology, University of Neuchâtel, Rue Emile-Argand 11, 2000, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Sergio Rasmann
- Laboratory of Functional Ecology, University of Neuchâtel, Rue Emile-Argand 11, 2000, Neuchâtel, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Tresch S, Frey D, Bayon RCL, Mäder P, Stehle B, Fliessbach A, Moretti M. Direct and indirect effects of urban gardening on aboveground and belowground diversity influencing soil multifunctionality. Sci Rep 2019; 9:9769. [PMID: 31278335 PMCID: PMC6611818 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-46024-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2019] [Accepted: 06/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Urban gardens are popular green spaces that have the potential to provide essential ecosystem services, support human well-being, and at the same time foster biodiversity in cities. We investigated the impact of gardening activities on five soil functions and the relationship between plant (600 spp.) and soil fauna (earthworms: 18 spp., springtails: 39 spp.) in 85 urban gardens (170 sites) across the city of Zurich (Switzerland). Our results suggest that high plant diversity in gardens had a positive effect on soil fauna and soil multifunctionality, and that garden management intensity decreased plant diversity. Indices of biological activity in soil, such as organic and microbial carbon and bacterial abundance, showed a direct positive effect on soil multifunctionality. Soil moisture and disturbance, driven by watering and tilling, were the driving forces structuring plant and soil fauna communities. Plant indicator values proved useful to assess soil fauna community structure, even in anthropogenic plant assemblages. We conclude that to enhance soil functions, gardeners should increase plant diversity, and lower management intensity. Soil protective management practices, such as applying compost, mulch or avoiding soil tilling, should be included in urban green space planning to improve urban biodiversity and nature’s contribution to people.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simon Tresch
- Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), Department of Soil Sciences, Ackerstrasse 113, 5070, Frick, CH, Switzerland. .,Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, Biodiversity and Conservation Biology, Zürcherstrasse 111, 8903, Birmensdorf, CH, Switzerland. .,University of Neuchâtel, Institute of Biology, Functional Ecology Laboratory, Rue Emile-Argand 11, 2000, Neuchâtel, CH, Switzerland.
| | - David Frey
- Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, Biodiversity and Conservation Biology, Zürcherstrasse 111, 8903, Birmensdorf, CH, Switzerland.,ETHZ, Department of Environmental System Science, Institute of Terrestrial Ecosystems, Universitaetstrasse 16, 8092, Zurich, CH, Switzerland
| | - Renée-Claire Le Bayon
- University of Neuchâtel, Institute of Biology, Functional Ecology Laboratory, Rue Emile-Argand 11, 2000, Neuchâtel, CH, Switzerland
| | - Paul Mäder
- Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), Department of Soil Sciences, Ackerstrasse 113, 5070, Frick, CH, Switzerland
| | - Bernhard Stehle
- Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), Department of Soil Sciences, Ackerstrasse 113, 5070, Frick, CH, Switzerland.,University of Konstanz, Department of Biology, Ecology, Universitätstrasse 10, 78464, Konstanz, DE, Germany
| | - Andreas Fliessbach
- Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), Department of Soil Sciences, Ackerstrasse 113, 5070, Frick, CH, Switzerland
| | - Marco Moretti
- Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, Biodiversity and Conservation Biology, Zürcherstrasse 111, 8903, Birmensdorf, CH, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Tresch S, Frey D, Le Bayon RC, Zanetta A, Rasche F, Fliessbach A, Moretti M. Litter decomposition driven by soil fauna, plant diversity and soil management in urban gardens. Sci Total Environ 2019; 658:1614-1629. [PMID: 30678018 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.12.235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2018] [Revised: 12/14/2018] [Accepted: 12/15/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
In the face of growing urban densification, green spaces in cities, such as gardens, are increasingly important for biodiversity and ecosystem services. However, the influences of urban green space management on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning (BEF) relationships is poorly understood. We investigated the relationship between soil fauna and litter decomposition in 170 urban garden sites along a gradient of urbanisation intensity in the city of Zurich, CH. We used litter bags of 1 and 4 mm mesh size to evaluate the contribution of soil meso- and macrofauna on litter decomposition. By using multilevel structural equation models (SEM), we investigated direct and indirect environmental effects and management practices on litter decomposition and litter residue quality. We evaluated the role of taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic diversity of soil fauna species on litter decomposition, based on a sample of 120 species (81,007 individuals; 39 collembola, 18 earthworm, 16 isopod, 47 gastropod species). We found highest litter decomposition rates using 4 mm mesh size litter bags, highlighting the importance of soil macrofauna. Urban warming, a proxy for urbanisation intensity, covaried positively, whereas soil disturbances, such as intensive soil and crop management, were negatively correlated with decomposition rates. Interestingly, soil fauna species richness decreased, with the exception of gastropods, and soil fauna abundance increased with urban warming. Our data also show that plant species richness positively affected litter decomposition by increasing soil fauna species richness and microbial activity. A multivariate analysis of organic compounds in litter residues confirmed the importance of soil fauna species richness and garden management on litter decomposition processes. Overall, we showed, that also in intensively managed urban green spaces, such as gardens, biodiversity of plants and soil fauna drives key ecosystem processes. Urban planning strategies that integrate soil protecting management practices may help to maintain important ecosystem services in this heavily used urban environment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simon Tresch
- University of Neuchâtel, Institute of Biology, Functional Ecology Laboratory, Rue Emile-Argand 11, Neuchâtel 2000, Switzerland; Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), Department of Soil Sciences, Ackerstrasse 113, Frick 5070, Switzerland; Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, Biodiversity and Conservation Biology, Zuercherstrasse 111, Birmensdorf 8903, Switzerland.
| | - David Frey
- Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, Biodiversity and Conservation Biology, Zuercherstrasse 111, Birmensdorf 8903, Switzerland; ETH, Department of Environmental System Science, Institute of Terrestrial Ecosystems, Universitaetstrasse 16, Zurich 8092, Switzerland
| | - Renée-Claire Le Bayon
- University of Neuchâtel, Institute of Biology, Functional Ecology Laboratory, Rue Emile-Argand 11, Neuchâtel 2000, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Zanetta
- Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, Biodiversity and Conservation Biology, Zuercherstrasse 111, Birmensdorf 8903, Switzerland; University of Fribourg, Department of Biology, Chemin du musée 10, Fribourg 1700, Switzerland
| | - Frank Rasche
- Institute of Agricultural Sciences in the Tropics (Hans-Ruthenberg-Institute), University of Hohenheim, Garbenstr. 13, Stuttgart 70599, Germany
| | - Andreas Fliessbach
- Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), Department of Soil Sciences, Ackerstrasse 113, Frick 5070, Switzerland
| | - Marco Moretti
- Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, Biodiversity and Conservation Biology, Zuercherstrasse 111, Birmensdorf 8903, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Fournier B, Gillet F, Le Bayon RC, Mitchell EAD, Moretti M. Functional responses of multitaxa communities to disturbance and stress gradients in a restored floodplain. J Appl Ecol 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.12493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bertrand Fournier
- Laboratory of Soil Biology; University of Neuchâtel; Rue Emile Argand 11 2000 Neuchâtel Switzerland
- Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL; Community Ecology; Station 2 1015 Lausanne Switzerland
- Institut des Sciences de l'Evolution; UMR 5554, CNRS; Université Montpellier 2; CC 065 Place Eugène Bataillon 34095 Montpellier Cedex 05 France
| | - François Gillet
- Laboratoire Chrono-Environnement; UMR 6249 CNRS; Université de Bourgogne Franche-Comté; 16 route de Gray 25030 Besançon Cedex France
- EPFL Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne; Ecological Systems Laboratory; Station 2 1015 Lausanne Switzerland
| | - Renée-Claire Le Bayon
- Laboratory of Functional Ecology; University of Neuchâtel; Rue Emile Argand 11 2000 Neuchâtel Switzerland
| | - Edward A. D. Mitchell
- Laboratory of Soil Biology; University of Neuchâtel; Rue Emile Argand 11 2000 Neuchâtel Switzerland
- Jardin Botanique de Neuchâtel; Chemin du Perthuis-du-Sault 58 2000 Neuchâtel Switzerland
| | - Marco Moretti
- Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL; Biodiversity and Conservation Biology; Zürcherstrasse 111 8903 Birmensdorf Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
|