The Enchytraeidae of spruce forest plots of different exposure and acid deposition in a German mountain range
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2002 |
| Type | Article in Periodical |
| Magazine / Source | European Journal of Soil Biology |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Field | Ecology |
| Keywords | Enchytraeidae; spruce forest; Soil acidification; reproduction |
| Description | Enchytraeidae were studied at spruce forest sites (Harz, Germany) differing in their exposure and soil acidity affected by acid deposition. Total density ranged between 38000 and 59000 ind. m-2 and biomass between 0.5 and 1 g m-2 d.m. (annual means). Of the seven species recorded, Cognettia sphagnetorum, Marionina clavata, and Achaeta camerani were dominant. The site affected most by acidification had the highest densities and lowest species number. Population dynamics and vertical distributions were affected by climate. Field and laboratory data provide evidence for sexual reproduction of C. sphagnetorum. Substrate preference experiments showed this species to prefer spruce litter from the OL-Horizon to that from the OH-Horizon, and spruce litter to beech litter. |
| Related projects: |