Krashevska, V.; Maraun, M. & Scheu, S. (2012): <b>How does litter quality affect the community of soil protists (testate amoebae) of tropical montane rainforests?</b>. <i>FEMS Microbiol Ecol</i> <b>80</b>, 603-607.
Resource Description
Title:
How does litter quality affect the community of soil protists (testate amoebae) of tropical montane rainforests?
Short Name:
How does litter quality affect testate amoebae community
FOR816dw ID:
1095
Publication Date:
2012-03-07
License and Usage Rights:
Resource Owner(s):
Individual:
Valentyna Krashevska
Contact:
email:
vkrashe <at> gwdg.de
Berliner Str. 28
37073 Göttingen
Germany
Individual:
Mark Maraun
Contact:
email:
mmaraun <at> gwdg.de
University of Göttingen
Institute of Zoology & Anthropology
Berliner Strasse 28
37073 Göttingen
Germany
Individual:
Stefan Scheu
Contact:
email:
sscheu <at> gwdg.de
Untere Karspüle 2
University of Göttingen
J.F.B. Institute of Zoology and Anthropology
37073 Göttingen
Germany
Abstract:
Litter quality and diversity are major factors structuring decomposer communities.<br/>
However, little is known on the relationship between litter quality and<br/>
the community structure of soil protists in tropical forests. We analyzed the<br/>
diversity, density, and community structure of a major group of soil protists of<br/>
tropical montane rainforests, that is, testate amoebae. Litterbags containing<br/>
pure and mixed litter of two abundant tree species at the study sites (Graffenrieda<br/>
emarginata and Purdiaea nutans) differing in nitrogen concentrations were<br/>
exposed in the field for 12 months. The density and diversity of testate amoebae<br/>
were higher in the nitrogen-rich Graffenrieda litter suggesting that nitrogen<br/>
functions as an important driving factor for soil protist communities. No additive<br/>
effects of litter mixing were found, rather density of testate amoebae was<br/>
reduced in litter mixtures as compared to litterbags with Graffenrieda litter<br/>
only. However, adding of high-quality litter to low-quality litter markedly<br/>
improved habitat quality, as evaluated by the increase in diversity and density<br/>
of testate amoebae. The results suggest that local factors, such as litter quality,<br/>
function as major forces shaping the structure and density of decomposer<br/>
microfauna that likely feed back to decomposition processes.
Literature type specific fields:
ARTICLE
Journal:
FEMS Microbiol Ecol
Volume:
80
Page Range:
603-607
Publisher:
Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
Metadata Provider:
Individual:
Valentyna Krashevska
Contact:
email:
vkrashe <at> gwdg.de
Berliner Str. 28
37073 Göttingen
Germany
