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Interrelations between leaf litter composition and nematodes in the 'Heron Wood Reserve', Peebleshire, Scotland
... Situated in the Scottish Borders within properties handed for management and development by the Secretary of State for Scotland to the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh in 1968, it is exceedingly well documented. The previous research conducted at the sanctuary has concentrated on the ecosystem functioning and microbial interactions in soil (Krivtsov et al. 2001, 2002, 2003, Walker et al. 2002), and influences of fungi, bacteria and litter composition on forest soil and litter fauna in a winterspring period (Bezginova et al. 2001, Krivtsov et al. 2003, 2005, 2006). This paper provides a focus on the levels of fungal biomass, bacteria, soil and forest litter properties, and some important aspects of ecological interactions in the soil and forest litter subsystems during an autumn period of intensive fungal fruiting. ...
... The previous research investigating ecosystem dynamics in the Cryptogamic Sanctuary (Bezginova et al. 2001) identified considerable variation among properties within the plots examined. It was postulated that these variations were the consequence of each plot's biological community. ...
Here we present the results of the monitoring data collected in 8 sampling plots (with different dominant vegetation - beech, birch, and a clearance covered by grass, mainly Holcus lanatus) in the Heron Wood reserve (Scotland) over an autumn period, characterised by intensive fungal fruiting. The data were analysed using Scheffé analysis of contrast, and ANOVA with Tukey's posthoc test, to infer differences in the overall ecosystem functioning attributable to the vegetation cover. The results suggest certain differences in the ecological functioning of beech-dominated and birch-dominated habitats. The correct understanding of the site-specific peculiarities of the ecological patterns is important for the improvement of biodiversity of woodland and forest ecosystems both in Scotland and worldwide.
... These trees are either from inblown or bird-dispersed seeds. The previous research conducted at the site has concentrated on fungal biodiversity (Watling 2001; Walker et al. 2002), fungal/microbial interactions in soil (Krivtsov et al. 2001aKrivtsov et al. , 2001bKrivtsov et al. , 2002aKrivtsov et al. , 2003 ), and influences of fungi, protozoa, bacteria and litter composition on forest litter nematodes (Bezginova et al. 2001; Thompson et al. 2001). ...
... Ergosterol (a biomarker for total live fungal content) concentration was assayed by means of high performance liquid chromatography following sonication (Ruzicka et al. 1995). Nematodes, enchytraeid worms, tardigrades and microarthropods were counted (Bezginova et al. 2001; Thompson et al. 2001) under a light microscope following extraction using Baermann and Tullgren funnels (Southwood 1978; Thompson et al. 2001). Data handling and analyses were carried out using Microsoft Excel and Minitab software. ...
The abundance of heterotrophic flagellates, ciliates and naked amoebae was measured in 8 sites covered with different vegetation (beech, birch, beech-birch, birch-oak-beech, grass) from January to April 2001. The results were analysed by a suite of mathematical techniques, together with data on bacteria, fungi, nematodes, microarthropods, and the composition of forest litter and field layer, available from parallel research. The population levels ranged between 4.02 and 795 x 103, 28 and 1010, 35 and 1170 g-1 litter dry wt for flagellates, ciliates and amoebae, respectively. Temporal changes in the microbiota appeared to be affected by progressive winter cooling followed by a spring increase in temperature, and influenced by habitat characteristics and a complex multivariate interplay among ecosystem components. The population abundance in winter (January-mid March) was higher than in spring (late March-April) for all protozoa. Amoebae showed minimum values in March, followed by considerable recovery in April. However, ciliate values dropped slightly between March and April, whilst flagellate values steadily decreased throughout the whole research period, suggesting that the spring growth of ciliates and flagellates might have been arrested by increased predation and/or competition. Statistical analysis revealed a number of significant relationships between the protozoa studied and other ecosystem components. These relationships were indicative of the conditions studied and may, therefore, be useful for future reference. The results highlighted the complexity of transient multivariate interactions of protobiota in forest litter, suggesting that any interpretations of the population dynamics must take account of a full range of both temporal and spatial factors.
... The previous research con- ducted at the sanctuary has concentrated on fungal biodiversity ( Walker et al., 2002) and ecology ( Krivtsov et al., 2003c) , microbial interactions in soil ( Krivtsov et al., 2001bKrivtsov et al., , 2002, interrelations between soil fungi and microarthropods ( Krivtsov et al., 2003b), and the methodology of sample preparation for nematode analysis ). However, although our previous research at the site provided some important information on soil mesofauna ( Krivtsov et al., 2003b), and the investiga- tions of ecological interactions of soil invertebrates have contributed to an improved understanding of the overall ecosystem functioning ( Krivtsov et al., 2002Krivtsov et al., , 2003aKrivtsov et al., , b, 2004), only very limited attention has so far been devoted to ecological interactions of meiofauna in forest litter ( Bezginova et al., 2001). This paper, however, focuses on the dynamics of abiotic and biotic interactions of microarthropods and nema- todes in the forest litter during a winter-spring period, i.e., when rapid changes in the interaction patterns can be expected. ...
The micro and meso-invertebrate abundance was measured, together with forest litter composition, in eight plots of differing vegetation (dominated by beech and birch) over a winter-spring period. The litter moisture content was a mean of 76% during the sampling period and the beech sites were the driest. The results were analysed using a suite of statistical techniques, together with data on protozoa, fungi and bacteria available from parallel research. Nematodes were analysed according to the trophic levels, which included microbial feeders, plant feeders and predators. The majority of arthropods found were the collembolan, Folsomia candida and cryptostigmatid mites, with very small quantities of other micro-and mesoarthropods (such as larvae and mesostigmatid mites). The microarthropod populations peaked in January and fell during subsequent months, while population numbers of nematodes showed a decrease between January and February, followed by an increase in March. ANOVA showed a significant date effect, but no site-date interactions for the population abundance of both nematodes and microarthropods. Ecological interactions of meiofauna were analysed by ANCOVA, stepwise regression, and correlation analysis. Examples of relationships revealed include positive relationships of plant-feeding nematodes (PFN) with microbial feeding nematodes (MFN), and of F. candida with cryptostigmatid mites. Other positive interactions were found for PFN, MFN, F. candida, cryptostigmatid and mesostigmatid mites with litter components, such as beech leaves and litter thickness, moisture and grass, and protozoa. Negative interactions were recorded for PFN, MFN, F. candida, cryptostigmatid and mesostigmatid mites with beech leaves, fungi, protozoa and bacteria. The results have highlighted a very complex structure of factors influencing the temporal and spatial dynamics of the forest litter community. It is suggested that temperature and moisture content particularly influence the invertebrates present. The invertebrates appear to be present in a range of microhabitats, which may have resulted in a reduced level of competition and a high level of positive interactions revealed.
... Thirty-two samples of forest litter and soil cores were taken monthly, between January and April 2001, from eight sites (four replicates from each site) located close to Stobo village in Peeblesshire (UK). The sites represent a range of woodland habitats (dominated by beech, birch and oak) and a clearance covered with grass (dominated by Holcus lanatus), and was subject to our previous investigations of soil and leaf litter microbiota (Bezginova et al., 2001; Krivtsov et al., 2001a,c ). Soil properties and the abundance of bacteria , protozoa, microarthropods and nematodes were analysed using standard methods as follows. ...
Stepwise regression modelling and canonical correspondence analysis were used to analyse data on soil properties and the abundance of soil mesofauna collected from a woodland typical of the Borders of Scotland. The pattern of relationships revealed by stepwise regression models was different for each month, and the models compiled on the overall dataset were generally weaker than those compiled for separate months. Functional relationships among different microarthropods revealed by stepwise regression modelling are summarised in a structural model of their statistical associations. Interpretation of specific relationships revealed is given and implications for dynamic simulation models are discussed. Canonical correspondence analysis revealed that both microbial feeding nematodes (MF) and plant feeding nematodes (PF) appear to prefer a high level of bacteria and moisture, glomalin and organic matter in the soil. Close scrutiny, however, reveals that microbial feeding nematodes have a particularly high affinity to the sites with a high level of bacteria and organic matter, whilst plant feeding nematodes appear to be more associated with moisture and glomalin. Folsomia candida was abundant in sites with a higher pH level (pH ranged between 3.1 and 4.9), but was not abundant in sites with high ergosterol or a high bacteria, moisture, glomalin and organic matter level. However, other Collembola (mainly represented by Folsomia quadrioculata) appeared to be associated with high levels of ectomycorrhizal fungi. As F. candida is known to feed on fungal food sources, the results suggest that the relatively high local abundances of this collembolan might have caused local declines in ectomycorrhizal fungi, reflected, in turn, in the increase in pH. In addition, environmental plasticity of this species might have allowed them to expand into areas with low fungal density by utilising alternative food sources. The fact that F. candida was a dominant microarthropod in the majority of the samples collected in this research also supports this point. However, for those samples where F. candida were less abundant, overcompensatory fungal growth due to grazing by mites and other Collembola was implicated. Overall, our results suggest that both direct negative and indirect positive effects of the microarthropod community on specific fungal groups appear to take place. The differential effect of specific mesofaunal groups on other soil biota justifies their detailed representation in dynamic simulation models of soil ecosystems.
... The sites represent a range of woodland habitats (site 1 dominated by beech; site 2 by beech+subdominant birch ; site 3 by oak and birch ; sites 5 and 6 by birch ; site 7 by oak, hemlock and birch ; site 8 by beech) and a clearance (site 4) covered with grass (dominated by Holcus lanatus). Soil and leaf litter microbiota were previously investigated in this sanctuary in a number of studies (Bezginova et al. 2001, Krivtsov et al. 2001a, b, 2003, 2004). ...
Interrelations of fungal mycelium with other soil biota are of paramount importance in forestry and soil ecology. Here we present the results of statistical analysis of a comprehensive data set collected in the first (and the only) British fungus sanctuary over a period of four months. The variables studied included a number of soil properties, bacteria, protozoan flagellates, ciliates and amoebae, microbial and plant feeding nematodes, various microarthropods, and two fungal biomarkers--glomalin and ergosterol. One way ANOVA showed that the dynamics of the microbiota studied was influenced by seasonal changes. Superimposed on these changes, however, was variability due to biological interactions and habitat characteristics. Two fungal biomarkers, ergosterol and glomalin, were differently influenced by other biota and abiotic variables. The results indicate that the dynamics of soil fungi is influenced not only by soil microarthropods, but also by those found in forest litter. The overall outcome, therefore, is likely to be very complex and will depend upon specific conditions of any particular ecosystem.
This paper presents data on temporal and spatial variability and ecological interactions of bacteria in a Scottish woodland over a winter - spring period (January - April). The study sites covered an area of 1 ha and a range of woodland habitats formed by beech (Fagus silvatica), birch (Betula pendula x pubescens) and oak (Quercus petraea), as well as (one site) a clearance site covered with grass (predominantly Holcus lanatus). Subsamples of fresh litter were fragmented for 60 s in a domestic food processor and were subsequently used to estimate the abundance of bacteria by counting under a fluorescent microscope. The preparation of bacterial slides involved staining with DTAF following extraction in phosphate buffer. The data on protozoa, fungi and microinvertebrates were available from parallel research and were obtained using standard methods. Numbers of bacteria appeared to be lower in sites dominated by beech. The highest average bacterial abundance (9.07 × 108 cells g-1 dry litter) was registered in January, and then gradually declined till March, when the lowest (7.37 × 108 cells g -1 dry litter) value was found, before rising again in April. The only significant difference revealed by one-way ANOVA was between January and March results. Both date and site effects were found to be significant by two-way ANOVA, but the date x site interaction was not significant. A number of significant relationships were registered by stepwise regression analysis, ANCOVA, and correlation analysis. In stepwise regression analysis, the most important predictor for bacterial density was litter moisture content (all months but March). Further significant relationships were revealed with the abundance of fungi, nematodes, and microarthropods, and forest litter fractions of moss, needles, beech seeds and birch leaves. ANCOVA confirmed the importance of interactions with litter composition and moisture content, and the abundance of fungi and microarthropods, and revealed a relationship with the abundance of ciliates. Correlation analysis for separate months revealed various relationships with forest litter composition (including positive - with forest litter fractions of oak leaves, grass, roots, birch leaves, and negative ones - with forest litter fractions of ferns and seeds), and the abundance of other microbiota, including positive with Folsomia candida (Insecta, Apterygota, Collembola), fungi, plant and microbial feeding nematodes, tardigrades and enchytraeids, positive and negative with ciliates, and negative with predatory nematodes. Most of these relationships, plus a further correlation with the abundance of amoebae, were also revealed for the combined dataset. It should be noted that some of these interactions (e.g. with % grass, % roots, the density of Folsomia candida) were only revealed by correlation analysis, and may therefore be judged as less important than relationships registered by all statistical methods applied. The results of this study highlighted the complexity of multivariate interactions of bacteria in forest litter.
Here we report on ecology and biodiversity of fungi in a unique mycological sanctuary in Britain, where data on species composition have been collected since 1994. To complement the biodiversity data by the information on the fungal ecological interactions and their role in the overall ecosystem functioning, soil properties and the composition of forest litter and field layer, bacterial population numbers and fungal biomass (in terms of ergosterol) were measured in 8 plots covered with different vegetations (beech, birch, birch-oak-beech, grass) over a May–Aug. period, and the results were analysed by correlation analysis and stepwise regression modelling together with data on protozoa and nematodes available from parallel research. The results highlighted the complexity of factors influencing temporal dynamics and spatial variability of fungal biomass in soil and forest litter. Most of the registered interactions appeared to be transient, and this should be taken into account while interpreting environmental observations. Interpretation of the specific relationships is given and implications for further research and overall ecosystem functioning are discussed.
Since 1994 data on fungal fruiting have been gathered in the Dawyck Botanic Garden outside Edinburgh, including that for eight plots within a 7.5 ha wood, which has been left unmanaged in order to investigate relationships amongst fungal succession, habitat characteristics and local weather patterns. The climatic data are provided by a small meteorological station situated on site. To handle nearly 4000 entries of data so far collected a computer database was constructed. This assists querying of the information so that changes in fungal communities and patterns of succession can be observed, and the relevant data extracted for further analysis. To aid in this analysis, and to give the user full control over editing, updating and querying the database, a special computer program was compiled.
The Heron Wood Reserve in Peeblesshire, Scotland is a 7.5-hectare wood, left untended to facilitate investigation into a natural Scottish Forest Ecosystem. Data on fungal fruiting have been collected since 1994, and since November 2000 physico-chemical and biotic experiments on soil and forest litter have also been conducted with the aim to construct and integrate a number of simulation sub-models of the various ecological systems present in an untended Scottish woodland. Important systems for modelling include patterns of fungal succession, habitat characteristics and fungal biochemical patterns. For example, Glomalin, a protein secreted by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, is believed to bind soil particles together in stable structures called aggregates. During the last 40 years, nearly one third of the world's arable land was lost by erosion, with a current loss rate of more than 10 million hectares per year [Pimentel et al. 1995, Science, 267, 1117-1123]. Modelling this system facilitates the understanding of a paramount component of soil ecology. A large volume of data has been collected so computer software is used for the storage and handling of data. Microsoft Access is the database used for storage, Microsoft Excel is the spreadsheet used for various calculations and customised software written in Microsoft Visual Basic and Microsoft VBA allows commercially unavailable statistical tests to be carried out, and the quick display of data in a suitable manner. Model Maker software is used to construct and test models formulated from the data and ultimately to facilitate the running of various simulations to make predictions within these important ecological sub-systems.
The integration of a comprehensive monitoring programme conducted in a temperate woodland through statistical analysis and simulation modelling is presented here. The Heron Wood Reserve in Peebleshire, Scotland is a 7.5-ha wood, left untended to facilitate investigation into a natural Scottish Woodland Ecosystem. Data on fungal fruiting have been collected since 1994, and since November 2000 physico-chemical and biotic experiments on soil and woodland litter have also been conducted with the aim to construct and integrate a number of simulation submodels of the various ecological systems present in an untended Scottish woodland. Important systems for modelling include patterns of fungal succession, habitat characteristics and fungal biochemical patterns. A large volume of data has been collected so computer software is used for the storage and handling of data. Microsoft Access was the database used for storage; integration of functions available in Microsoft Excel with a customised software written in Microsoft Visual Basic and Microsoft VBA allowed various statistical modelling tests (e.g. Scheffé analysis of contrast) to be carried out, and the quick display of data in a suitable manner. Model Maker software is used to construct and test simulation models formulated from the data and ultimately to facilitate the running of various simulations. Integration of the separate lines of investigation is demonstrated on the example of a case study describing differences in the dynamics of decomposers in beech- and birch-dominated habitats. Integration of the information obtained allowed us to put forward the following hypothesis. The leaf litter produced by beech trees is of lower quality compared to birch, and decomposition in beech-dominated habitats is delayed (i.e. in comparison to birch-dominated) because of the differences in the extent to which these plants create and maintain a litter and humus layer (sensu Wardle, Communities and Ecosystems. Linking the Aboveground and Belowground Components, Princeton University Press, Princeton, 2002). Hence, the decomposition in beech-dominated habitats mainly occurs somewhat deeper in the soil profile, and may be carried out with some considerable involvement of ectomycorrhizal fungi. The correct understanding of the site-specific peculiarities of the ecological patterns is important for the improvement of biodiversity of woodland and forest ecosystems both in Scotland and worldwide.
The composition of forest litter and understorey layer, and fungal biomass (in terms of ergosterol) were measured in eight subplots over a winter–spring period (January to April). The sampling site was positioned in a range of woodland habitats (variously dominated by beech, Fagus sylvatica ; birch, Betula pendula × pubescens , and oak Quercus petraea ) and a clear area covered with grass (dominated by Holcus lanatus ). The results were analysed together with data on bacteria and microinvertebrates available from parallel research. Levels of ergosterol in individual subplots ranged between 50 and 160 μg g−1 DW. Fungal biomass decreased in March, and then increased significantly in April. Stepwise regression models for ergosterol indicated positive relationships with moisture content (February), bacteria (all but February and March), flagellates (February) and plant-feeding nematodes and flies (January, overall). The relationships with roots, seeds, the collective variable ‘other microinvertebrates’ (all March), amoebae (February) and fragments (March, overall) were negative, while the relationship between fungi- and microbial-feeding nematodes changed sign between February (−) and March (+). Results of analysis of covariance for fungal ergosterol were significant only for January and the combined dataset. In January, fungi were shown to be significantly related to amoebae, bacteria and a collembolan Folsomia candida , while the only significant predictor returned by the overall model was bacteria. Correlation analysis confirmed some effects already noted, and revealed a number of further interactions. The results highlighted the complexity of factors influencing temporal dynamics and spatial variability of fungal biomass in forest litter. Most of the registered interactions appeared to be transient, and this should be taken into account while interpreting environmental observations. Interpretation of the specific relationships is given and implications for further research and overall ecosystem functioning are discussed.
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