Abstract

Above-ground vegetation has long been acknowledged as an important driver of below-ground decomposer communities. Here we compare the relationship between the plant community and four microarthropod groups (oribatid, mesostigmatic and prostigmatic mites and Collembola) in alpine moss-sedge heath. We assess the relative importance of plant growth forms (PGF), mean vegetation chemistry and plant community composition in influencing the microarthropod community composition. Microarthropod and plant community composition was recorded at 15 alpine Racomitrium lanuginosum heath sites in the UK. The correlation between the microarthropod community and the plant community was 0.76, 0.44, 0.34 and 0.59 for Oribatida, Prostigmata, Mesostigmata and Collembola, respectively (Procrustes analysis). Plant species composition was more important in determining community composition for microarthropods that are herbivores/fungivores/detritivores (Oribatida and Prostigmata and Collembola) than PGF or vegetation chemistry. Predatory microarthropods (Mesostigmata) were influenced by PGF, but not plant species composition or vegetation chemistry. This may reflect the importance of physical habitat structure for these species. We conclude that there is a strong relationship between the plant community composition and the soil microarthropod community but measures such as PGF or mean vegetation chemistry are too coarse to be useful in predicting the microarthropod community composition, because mites respond strongly to heterogeneity between plant species.

Keywords

Above-below ground; Interactions; C:N ratio; Variation

Published in

Applied Soil Ecology
2017, Volume: 111, pages: 1-8

SLU Authors

• Taylor, Astrid

  • Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Ecology


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsoil.2016.10.010

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/79868