The effect of shelterbelts on litter decomposition and fauna of adjacent fields : in situ experiment

• Autorzy: Szanser M.
• Języki publikacji: EN

Abstrakty

EN

The effect of mid-field shelterbelts on litter decomposition and the numbers and biomass of litter inhabiting invertebrate macrofauna was evaluated. The question was how far into the fields such an effect could reach. To answer this question an experiment was set up, in which a uniform substratum (sand and loam) was laid out inside the metal frames dug in the earth. Litter of cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata) was laid out on these substrates. Samples were taken from the middle of a seven years old wood strip (S) and along the transect i.e. in the ecotone from its wooded side (Es), from its field side (E[F]) and in the field 10 (F10) and 50 (F50) meters far from the shelterbelt. Decomposition rate of litter was retarded with increasing distance from the shelterbelt. Biomass of the litter dwelling macrofauna was lower in the field as compared to the shelterbelt and ecotones. Input of dead invertebrate mass to the soil under litter decreased also from the shelterbelt towards the field center. At the end of the experiment dead invertebrate biomass contributed to 24% of the total (dead and alive) of animal biomass in the transect. Average contribution of predators to the total animal biomass was the highest in the field ecotone (E[F] - 79%) and the lowest in the field site F50 (56%). A significant negative relationship was found between the density and biomass of predators (Carabidae) and the density and biomass of their potential prey (larvae of Diptera and Collembola) along the whole transect.

Słowa kluczowe

EN

biomass; density; ecotone; fauna; field; invertebrate remains; litter; shelterbelt

• Wydawca: Museum and Institute of Zoology, Polish Academy of Sciences
• Czasopismo: Polish Journal of Ecology
• Rocznik: 2003
• Tom: Vol. 51, nr 3
• Strony: 309--321
• Opis fizyczny: Tab., wykr.,Bibliogr. 53 poz.,

Twórcy

autor

Szanser M.

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