Moth herbivory enhances resource turnover in subarctic mountain birch forests?
| Autor: | Maarit Kaukonen, Annamari Markkola, Karoliina Huusko, Minna K. Männistö, Karita Saravesi, Piippa R. Wäli, Heikki Setälä, Anna Liisa Ruotsalainen |
|---|---|
| Rok vydání: | 2013 |
| Předmět: |
0106 biological sciences
Biomass (ecology) Ecology Frass Population Dynamics fungi Betula pubescens Moths 15. Life on land Biology biology.organism_classification 010603 evolutionary biology 01 natural sciences Subarctic climate Decomposer Humus Trees Nutrient Soil water Animals Herbivory Betula Ecosystem Ecology Evolution Behavior and Systematics 010606 plant biology & botany |
| Zdroj: | Ecology. 94:267-272 |
| ISSN: | 0012-9658 |
| Popis: | Massive moth outbreaks cause large-scale damage in subarctic mountain birch forests with a concomitant decrease in carbon flux to mycorrhizal fungi and an increased deposition of dissolved carbon and nutrients as moth frass into soil. We investigated impacts of moth herbivory along three replicated gradients with three levels of moth herbivory (undamaged, once damaged, repeatedly damaged) on soil nutrient levels and biological parameters. We found an increase in soil nutrients and in the biomass of enchytraeid worms, which are key faunal decomposers. Fungi bacteria ratio and C:N ratio decreased in humus with increasing severity of herbivory. Our findings suggest enhanced resource turnover in mountain birch forests due to massive moth herbivory. This may provide a shortcut for carbon and nutrient input to subarctic soils, which largely bypasses the main routes of carbon from plants to soil via mycorrhizal and litter-decomposing fungi. Moreover, a temporal shift occurs in carbon allocation to soil, providing decomposers an opportunity to use an early-season peak in resource availability. Our results suggest a hitherto unappreciated role of massive insect herbivore attacks on resource dynamics in subarctic ecosystems. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
| Externí odkaz: |
|
Plný text