There is increasing evidence of the coexistence of trophic and environmental constraints belowground. While too often ignored in current literature, the extent to which phosphorus is relevant for soil biota was demonstrated in this study by positive correlations of soil C/P and N/P ratios with all the measured microbial parameters (biomass, density and activity), with the numerical abundance of roundworms (Nematoda) and potworms (Enchytraeidae) from lower trophic levels and with the roundworm biomass. Total worm biomass seems dependent on land use, being in rangelands about twice as high as in croplands, although the relative contribution of potworms remains comparable for both land use types (49 ± 20 % SD versus 45 ± 27 % SD). Besides soil [P], soil type plays an important role in the relative biomass of potworms compared to roundworms. Soil parameters (here pH, C/P and N/P ratios) are better predictors for the abundance and biomass of roundworms than microbial parameters. We also propose a graphical way to visualize the major responses of basal consumers to their microbial drivers. © 2013 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.
Contrasting influence of soil nutrients and microbial community on differently sized basal consumers
Mulder, Christian
Writing – Original Draft Preparation
2013-01-01
Abstract
There is increasing evidence of the coexistence of trophic and environmental constraints belowground. While too often ignored in current literature, the extent to which phosphorus is relevant for soil biota was demonstrated in this study by positive correlations of soil C/P and N/P ratios with all the measured microbial parameters (biomass, density and activity), with the numerical abundance of roundworms (Nematoda) and potworms (Enchytraeidae) from lower trophic levels and with the roundworm biomass. Total worm biomass seems dependent on land use, being in rangelands about twice as high as in croplands, although the relative contribution of potworms remains comparable for both land use types (49 ± 20 % SD versus 45 ± 27 % SD). Besides soil [P], soil type plays an important role in the relative biomass of potworms compared to roundworms. Soil parameters (here pH, C/P and N/P ratios) are better predictors for the abundance and biomass of roundworms than microbial parameters. We also propose a graphical way to visualize the major responses of basal consumers to their microbial drivers. © 2013 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.File | Dimensione | Formato | |
---|---|---|---|
MUL-116 Vonk and Mulder (2013) Naturwissenschaften 100.pdf
solo gestori archivio
Descrizione: Articolo principale
Tipologia:
Versione Editoriale (PDF)
Licenza:
NON PUBBLICO - Accesso privato/ristretto
Dimensione
1.03 MB
Formato
Adobe PDF
|
1.03 MB | Adobe PDF | Visualizza/Apri |
I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.