Biological and chemical properties of fen soils affected by anthills of Myrmica spp.

• Autorzy: Pętal J. , Chmielewski K. , Kusińska A. , Kaczorowska R. , Stachurski A. , Zimka J.
• Języki publikacji: EN

Abstrakty

EN

The paper focuses on the role of ants as soil engineers in three drained fens. Physical, chemical and biotic soil conditions and effects of ants on soil conditions were compared between fens differing in peat origin. Multivariate statistical methods were applied (PCA, RDA). Relationship between soil moisture, indices of soil biological activity, and the amount of nutrients released were better expressed in the anthill soil than in the adjacent soil. A lower bulk density of the anthill soil, thus, a higher soil porosity, enhanced the leaching of water- extractable, mobile metallic cations and nitric ions. The composition of humus fraction was strongly dependent on soil chemical properties. In both the anthill soil and the adjacent soil, the content of humic acids was postively related with bulk density, whereas the content of humis was related with moisture. In adjacent soil, cation exchange capacity (CEC) was positively related with the content of humic acids and with bulk density. This relationship was not so clear in the anthill soil. The direction of changes in these relationship in the anthiil soil was influenced by ant societes. The number of individuals in society determined the nest structure and the associated increase in soil humidity and porosity. The consumption by ants, thus the input of matter rich in nitrogen, influenced the functional structure of microorganisms and their activity.

Słowa kluczowe

EN

anthills; humus fractions; soil biological activity

• Wydawca: Museum and Institute of Zoology, Polish Academy of Sciences
• Czasopismo: Polish Journal of Ecology
• Rocznik: 2003
• Tom: Vol. 51, nr 1
• Strony: 67--78
• Opis fizyczny: Bibliogr. 23 poz., tab., wykr.

Twórcy

autor

Pętal J.

• Centre for Ecological Research PAS (formerly Institute of Ecology PAS), Dziekanów Leśny, 05-092 Łomianki, Poland

autor

Chmielewski K.

• Institute of Ecology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Dziekanów Leśny (near Warsaw), 05-092 Łomianki, Poland

autor

Kusińska A.

• Department of Soil Environment, Warsaw Agricultural University, Rakowiecka 26/30, 02-528 Warsaw, Poland
• Institute of Civil Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, Łukasiewicza 17, 09-400 Płock, Poland

autor

Kaczorowska R.

• Institute of Ecology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Dziekanów Leśny (near Warsaw), 05-092 Łomianki, Poland

autor

Stachurski A.

• Centre for Ecological Research PAS, Dziekanów Leśny, 05-092 Łomianki, Poland

autor

Zimka J.

• Centre for Ecological Research PAS, Dziekanów Leśny, 05-092 Łomianki, Poland

Bibliografia

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