Dynamics of soil mesofauna in relation to the decomposition rate of leaf litter of Quercus serrata, Chamaecyparis obtusa, Clethra barvinervis, and bamboo in satoyama forest of the Nara campus, Kinki University
2009
Tarao, K.(Kinki Univ., Nara (Japan).) | Miyake, J. | Karita, M. | Okumura, H. | Wakatuki, T.
We researched the dynamics of soil mesofauna in relation to the decomposition rate of leaf litters using the litterbag method in satoyama forest on the Nara campus of the Faculty of Agriculture, Kinki University. Four kinds of leaf litter were examined, i.e., Quercus serrata, Chamaecyparis obtusa, Clethra barvinervis, and Bamboo. The population of soil mesofauna increased in November and December as the amount of litter fall increased and then decreased in mid winter. From the end of March to July, populations of soil animals were increased again using residual litters on the forest floor. In August the populations became minimal. These tendencies were similar at all of the research sites. The decomposing rate of litter didn't have the clear peaks without Chamaecyparis obtusa that had the peaks in April and June. The decomposing of litter and carbon/nitrogen (C/N) rate are related; the nitrogen concentration in litter was increased as litter decomposing advanced. This result indicates that decomposing fauna and flora consumed carbon in the litter. Carbon is an element used by soil animals and microorganisms to make energy, and nitrogen is used by microorganisms as a nutrient to make enzymes. As soil decomposers, there are new spaces for soil animals. Moreover, new litter is supplied to the soil surface and soil animals become activated again. The fact that soil animals have a role as litter decomposers is indicated by the finding that increased soil animal population is proportionate to the quantity of litter fall. The greatest contributor to litter decomposition in our test areas was Oribatida.
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