Pub Date : 2025-03-28DOI: 10.1016/j.pedobi.2025.151039
Thea Whitman , Ross Tredinnick
Soil ecologists face a particular challenge in visualizing the environment that soil organisms inhabit, as it is both opaque and microscopic. We have developed a virtual reality (VR) experience of a soil at a microbial scale, based on a micro-computed tomography scan of a real soil. The VR app Soil:Micro is designed for a head-mounted display and could be used in educational and public outreach settings. Users travel through a series of stations where they can explore the soil environment as they learn about soil as a habitat for soil microbes. We hope that this tool inspires interest in and knowledge about soils, helping both to combat “soil blindness” in the general public and also to inspire soil ecologists to see these complex ecosystems in new ways.
{"title":"Soil:Micro – A free data-based virtual reality experience of soil at a microbial scale","authors":"Thea Whitman , Ross Tredinnick","doi":"10.1016/j.pedobi.2025.151039","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pedobi.2025.151039","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Soil ecologists face a particular challenge in visualizing the environment that soil organisms inhabit, as it is both opaque and microscopic. We have developed a virtual reality (VR) experience of a soil at a microbial scale, based on a micro-computed tomography scan of a real soil. The VR app Soil:Micro is designed for a head-mounted display and could be used in educational and public outreach settings. Users travel through a series of stations where they can explore the soil environment as they learn about soil as a habitat for soil microbes. We hope that this tool inspires interest in and knowledge about soils, helping both to combat “soil blindness” in the general public and also to inspire soil ecologists to see these complex ecosystems in new ways.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49711,"journal":{"name":"Pedobiologia","volume":"110 ","pages":"Article 151039"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143791893","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), especially ω3 forms, are essential nutrients for many animals and are typically obtained from dietary sources, yet there is limited availability in terrestrial ecosystem. In soil food webs, free-living nematodes are an important source of these PUFAs. Predatory mites (Mesostigmata) play a key role in regulating invertebrate populations, including free-living and plant-parasitic nematodes. Recent studies suggest that diets including nematodes improve the fitness of predatory mites and enhance their function as biological control agents within soil food webs. The predatory mite Parasitus sp. isolated from Mediterranean agricultural fields showed nematode consumption and colony establishment with a mixture of nematode species. This study investigated the effects of single nematode diets on the fitness of Parasitus sp., focusing on the roles of ω3- and ω6-PUFAs. This included one plant-parasitic and five free-living bacterial-feeding species, mostly co-occurring in the same Mediterranean fields, with one species unable to synthesize ω3-PUFAs. The results showed that nematodes rich in ω3-PUFAs supported Parasitus sp. development, but those high in ω6-PUFAs and deficient in ω3-PUFAs did not. However, mite survival and moulting to adulthood were generally low, possibly indicating a need for a specific stimulus or a more varied diet. This study further demonstrated ω3-PUFA de novo synthesis in Mesostigmata. Overall, the nematode diets influenced the development of Parasitus sp. differently, which emphasizes the importance of diverse nematode populations to support the fitness of higher trophic levels such as predatory mites.
{"title":"“Best food” does not apply to all: Quality of nematode diet for development and fitness of their predator Parasitus sp. (Mesostigmata: Parasitidae)","authors":"Diana Rueda-Ramírez , Alyssa Grogorenz-de Oliveira , Eric Palevsky , Liliane Ruess","doi":"10.1016/j.pedobi.2025.151038","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pedobi.2025.151038","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), especially ω3 forms, are essential nutrients for many animals and are typically obtained from dietary sources, yet there is limited availability in terrestrial ecosystem. In soil food webs, free-living nematodes are an important source of these PUFAs. Predatory mites (Mesostigmata) play a key role in regulating invertebrate populations, including free-living and plant-parasitic nematodes. Recent studies suggest that diets including nematodes improve the fitness of predatory mites and enhance their function as biological control agents within soil food webs. The predatory mite <em>Parasitus</em> sp. isolated from Mediterranean agricultural fields showed nematode consumption and colony establishment with a mixture of nematode species. This study investigated the effects of single nematode diets on the fitness of <em>Parasitus</em> sp., focusing on the roles of ω3- and ω6-PUFAs. This included one plant-parasitic and five free-living bacterial-feeding species, mostly co-occurring in the same Mediterranean fields, with one species unable to synthesize ω3-PUFAs. The results showed that nematodes rich in ω3-PUFAs supported <em>Parasitus</em> sp. development, but those high in ω6-PUFAs and deficient in ω3-PUFAs did not. However, mite survival and moulting to adulthood were generally low, possibly indicating a need for a specific stimulus or a more varied diet. This study further demonstrated ω3-PUFA <em>de novo</em> synthesis in Mesostigmata. Overall, the nematode diets influenced the development of <em>Parasitus</em> sp. differently, which emphasizes the importance of diverse nematode populations to support the fitness of higher trophic levels such as predatory mites.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49711,"journal":{"name":"Pedobiologia","volume":"109 ","pages":"Article 151038"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143725921","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-03-22DOI: 10.1016/j.pedobi.2025.151037
Dennis Castillo-Figueroa , Camilo Castillo-Avila
Soil fauna play a crucial role in supporting soil functions and their communities change along forest successional gradients. However, our understanding of their temporal dynamics is limited, particularly in tropical mountain ecosystems with pronounced seasonal precipitation patterns. Additionally, the impact of forest successional stage on the regulation of seasonal changes in soil fauna communities remains poorly understood. In this study, we examined the changes of soil fauna communities across climatic seasons and microhabitats in mature and secondary forests of upper Andean tropical forests (UATF). We collected 168 soil samples (30x30x5 cm) across four climatic seasons (two wet and two dry) from 14 permanent plots in four UATF sites during La Niña event. Microclimatic data (air, surface, and soil temperatures, and soil moisture) were recorded every 15 minutes for a year using TOMST dataloggers. Our findings reveal that soil fauna richness and abundance significantly increase during wet seasons, although species composition remained unchanged. This increase is mainly due to higher soil moisture levels, which control soil fauna attributes. We also observed an interaction between climatic season and microhabitat: during wet seasons, when soils are water-saturated, more species migrate to the litter layer, whereas during dry seasons, when water availability is reduced, species tend to aggregate in the soil. However, no interactions were detected between these factors and successional stages. Soil moisture directly influenced soil fauna richness and abundance in both mature and secondary forests. Overall, our study highlights that soil fauna in UATF exhibit clear climatic seasonality, shaping microhabitat variability independent of forest successional stage.
{"title":"Microhabitat and seasonal dynamics of soil fauna communities in upper Andean successional forests","authors":"Dennis Castillo-Figueroa , Camilo Castillo-Avila","doi":"10.1016/j.pedobi.2025.151037","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pedobi.2025.151037","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Soil fauna play a crucial role in supporting soil functions and their communities change along forest successional gradients. However, our understanding of their temporal dynamics is limited, particularly in tropical mountain ecosystems with pronounced seasonal precipitation patterns. Additionally, the impact of forest successional stage on the regulation of seasonal changes in soil fauna communities remains poorly understood. In this study, we examined the changes of soil fauna communities across climatic seasons and microhabitats in mature and secondary forests of upper Andean tropical forests (UATF). We collected 168 soil samples (30x30x5 cm) across four climatic seasons (two wet and two dry) from 14 permanent plots in four UATF sites during La Niña event. Microclimatic data (air, surface, and soil temperatures, and soil moisture) were recorded every 15 minutes for a year using TOMST dataloggers. Our findings reveal that soil fauna richness and abundance significantly increase during wet seasons, although species composition remained unchanged. This increase is mainly due to higher soil moisture levels, which control soil fauna attributes. We also observed an interaction between climatic season and microhabitat: during wet seasons, when soils are water-saturated, more species migrate to the litter layer, whereas during dry seasons, when water availability is reduced, species tend to aggregate in the soil. However, no interactions were detected between these factors and successional stages. Soil moisture directly influenced soil fauna richness and abundance in both mature and secondary forests. Overall, our study highlights that soil fauna in UATF exhibit clear climatic seasonality, shaping microhabitat variability independent of forest successional stage.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49711,"journal":{"name":"Pedobiologia","volume":"109 ","pages":"Article 151037"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143725920","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The decline in ecosystem services provided by monocultures has raised significant concerns, leading to the emergence of multispecies plantations as a promising management approach to forest management. Protists are the primary consumers of bacteria and fungi, and they respond sensitively to changes in vegetation composition and human disturbance. However, the ecological consequences of multispecies plantations on the protist communities remain poorly understood. This study aimed to compare protist community composition between Pinus massoniana monocultures and multispecies plantation forests by examining their differences in both topsoil (0-10 cm) and subsoil (30-50 cm). We compared the diversity, molecular ecological networks, and assembly processes of protist communities in the typical mature Pinus massoniana monocultures and overmature P. massoniana monocultures with those of P. massoniana-broad-leaved mixed plantations, broadleaf mixture plantations, and secondary forests in subtropical China. We further assessed the important drivers for shaping the protist communities. We found that (1) both forest type and soil depth significantly influenced the alpha diversity of protist communities; (2) mixing broadleaf trees with P. massoniana stands could enhance the network complexity and stability of protist communities, and could change the composition of protist communities to a level similar to that of natural forest to an extent; and (3) protist community composition was predominantly influenced by nutrient availability in the topsoil, whereas it was primarily shaped by pH and soil texture in the subsoil. These findings provided scientific guidance for mixed forest plantation in subtropical afforestation and improving P. massoniana monocultures.
{"title":"Effects of multispecies management on the soil protist community in Pinus massoniana plantations in subtropical China","authors":"Jiawen Jiang, Luhong Zhou, Debao Lin, Yaning Gu, Linfang Wu, Ji-Zheng He","doi":"10.1016/j.pedobi.2025.151035","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pedobi.2025.151035","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The decline in ecosystem services provided by monocultures has raised significant concerns, leading to the emergence of multispecies plantations as a promising management approach to forest management. Protists are the primary consumers of bacteria and fungi, and they respond sensitively to changes in vegetation composition and human disturbance. However, the ecological consequences of multispecies plantations on the protist communities remain poorly understood. This study aimed to compare protist community composition between <em>Pinus massoniana</em> monocultures and multispecies plantation forests by examining their differences in both topsoil (0-10 cm) and subsoil (30-50 cm). We compared the diversity, molecular ecological networks, and assembly processes of protist communities in the typical mature <em>Pinus massoniana</em> monocultures and overmature <em>P. massoniana</em> monocultures with those of <em>P. massoniana</em>-broad-leaved mixed plantations, broadleaf mixture plantations, and secondary forests in subtropical China. We further assessed the important drivers for shaping the protist communities. We found that (1) both forest type and soil depth significantly influenced the alpha diversity of protist communities; (2) mixing broadleaf trees with <em>P. massoniana</em> stands could enhance the network complexity and stability of protist communities, and could change the composition of protist communities to a level similar to that of natural forest to an extent; and (3) protist community composition was predominantly influenced by nutrient availability in the topsoil, whereas it was primarily shaped by pH and soil texture in the subsoil. These findings provided scientific guidance for mixed forest plantation in subtropical afforestation and improving <em>P. massoniana</em> monocultures.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49711,"journal":{"name":"Pedobiologia","volume":"109 ","pages":"Article 151035"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143628223","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-02-27DOI: 10.1016/j.pedobi.2025.151034
Xin Li , Yun Ge , Fangjing Hu , Yongxiu Qi , Lingzhi Li , Xu Chen , Xi-En Long
Red soils in China are essential for food security, ecological balance, and rural development. Red soil's varied microbial populations help maintain soil health, cycle nutrients, and sustain ecosystems. The variation in bacterial community assembly and distribution with soil depth in acidic dryland and paddy soils is unknown. We sampled dryland and paddy soil profiles from nearby farms in southern China's red soil region. Five soil layers (0–20 cm, 20–40 cm, 40–60 cm, 60–80 cm, 80–100 cm) were taken from a 1-meter soil profile at Yichun, Jiangxi, China. In paddy soils, ammonium nitrogen, available iron, and soil organic matter (SOM) were greater than in dryland soils. While both soil types showed considerable variation in diversity indices (Chao1, Sobs, PD) over the soil profile, paddy soils showed a more wave-like pattern in microbial diversity indicators. Dryland soils had higher relative abundances of Actinobacteriota (3.6–7.3 %) and GAL15 (1.3–8.6 %), while paddy soils had Bacteroidota (3.9–9.2 %), Desulfobacterota (4.2–7.7 %), and Nitrospirota (2.1–12.7 %). Acidobacteriota (29.5–59.1 %), Chloroflexi (6.3–30.9 %), and Proteobacteria (7.5–21.5 %) predominated at both soil types. Taxonomic alterations in Acidobacteriota, Chloroflexi, and Proteobacteria highlighted how microbial communities adapted to dryland vs paddy soils. The assembly of bacterial communities was mostly stochastic, with varied dispersion and assembly dynamics across soil types and depths. Network analysis showed that paddy soils had more complicated interspecies relationships than dryland soils, with a greater average clustering coefficient and lower modularity. Drylands had higher biosynthetic and metabolic activity, especially amino acid metabolism and secondary metabolite production, whereas paddy soils had higher energy metabolism. This research emphasizes how land use affects soil physicochemical properties and microbiological populations. Microbial profiles and functional adaptations of dryland and paddy soils provide soil management techniques to optimize soil health and production in diverse agricultural systems.
{"title":"Bacterial assemblies in acidic dryland vs. paddy soils across depth profiles in southern China's red soil region","authors":"Xin Li , Yun Ge , Fangjing Hu , Yongxiu Qi , Lingzhi Li , Xu Chen , Xi-En Long","doi":"10.1016/j.pedobi.2025.151034","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pedobi.2025.151034","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Red soils in China are essential for food security, ecological balance, and rural development. Red soil's varied microbial populations help maintain soil health, cycle nutrients, and sustain ecosystems. The variation in bacterial community assembly and distribution with soil depth in acidic dryland and paddy soils is unknown. We sampled dryland and paddy soil profiles from nearby farms in southern China's red soil region. Five soil layers (0–20 cm, 20–40 cm, 40–60 cm, 60–80 cm, 80–100 cm) were taken from a 1-meter soil profile at Yichun, Jiangxi, China. In paddy soils, ammonium nitrogen, available iron, and soil organic matter (SOM) were greater than in dryland soils. While both soil types showed considerable variation in diversity indices (Chao1, Sobs, PD) over the soil profile, paddy soils showed a more wave-like pattern in microbial diversity indicators. Dryland soils had higher relative abundances of <em>Actinobacteriota</em> (3.6–7.3 %) and GAL15 (1.3–8.6 %), while paddy soils had <em>Bacteroidota</em> (3.9–9.2 %), <em>Desulfobacterota</em> (4.2–7.7 %), and <em>Nitrospirota</em> (2.1–12.7 %). <em>Acidobacteriota</em> (29.5–59.1 %), Chloroflexi (6.3–30.9 %), and <em>Proteobacteria</em> (7.5–21.5 %) predominated at both soil types. Taxonomic alterations in <em>Acidobacteriota</em>, <em>Chloroflexi</em>, and <em>Proteobacteria</em> highlighted how microbial communities adapted to dryland vs paddy soils. The assembly of bacterial communities was mostly stochastic, with varied dispersion and assembly dynamics across soil types and depths. Network analysis showed that paddy soils had more complicated interspecies relationships than dryland soils, with a greater average clustering coefficient and lower modularity. Drylands had higher biosynthetic and metabolic activity, especially amino acid metabolism and secondary metabolite production, whereas paddy soils had higher energy metabolism. This research emphasizes how land use affects soil physicochemical properties and microbiological populations. Microbial profiles and functional adaptations of dryland and paddy soils provide soil management techniques to optimize soil health and production in diverse agricultural systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49711,"journal":{"name":"Pedobiologia","volume":"109 ","pages":"Article 151034"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143561701","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-02-26DOI: 10.1016/j.pedobi.2025.151033
Cong Li , Lige Liu , Zhangming Wu , Wengong Wang , Shenghan Wang , Xinhua He , Xinglei Cui , Jiujin Xiao , Yang Liu
Monoculture plantations, particularly the coniferous species (Pinus massoniana), often impede nutrient cycling, leading to declines in biodiversity and soil fertility. Selection of suitable companion tree species, especially a native broadleaf species is thus essential for improving forest ecosystem functions. Millipedes (Spirobolus walker), a widely distributed large arthropod to primarily consume litter, play a pivotal role in organic matter decomposition and nutrient cycling in terrestrial ecosystems. Addressing the feeding preferences of millipedes in relation to litter quality could provide insights into selection of appropriate mixed tree species, thereby facilitating the sustainable management of Masson pine plantations. Millipede feeding experiments on leaf litter from three typical subtropical broadleaf species – Camptotheca acuminata (high-quality litter), Quercus variabilis (intermediate-quality), and Michelia wilsonii (low-quality), were conducted in combination with Masson litter. We found that millipedes responded more to litter morphology rather than chemical characteristics. Acid insoluble components, consisting mainly of condensed tannins and lignin in litter had almost no effects on millipede feeding preferences. Despite C. acuminata containing high levels of tannins and phenols, millipedes exhibited the highest consumption rate (44 mg·g−1·d−1) on it, due to its higher tubularity and nitrogen concentration. Additionally, when multiple litter sources were available, millipedes showed greater preference for consuming high-quality litter, an indication of the better suitability of C. acuminata for mixture with Masson pine. A transformation of mono-species into a multiple-species based plantation forest would therefore enhance circulation of materials, particularly carbon and nitrogen, through millipedes’ preferential feeding activity.
{"title":"Millipede (Spirobolus walker) prefers feeding on a high-quality litter from a companion species when combined with Masson pine litter","authors":"Cong Li , Lige Liu , Zhangming Wu , Wengong Wang , Shenghan Wang , Xinhua He , Xinglei Cui , Jiujin Xiao , Yang Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.pedobi.2025.151033","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pedobi.2025.151033","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Monoculture plantations, particularly the coniferous species (<em>Pinus massoniana</em>), often impede nutrient cycling, leading to declines in biodiversity and soil fertility. Selection of suitable companion tree species, especially a native broadleaf species is thus essential for improving forest ecosystem functions. Millipedes (<em>Spirobolus walker</em>), a widely distributed large arthropod to primarily consume litter, play a pivotal role in organic matter decomposition and nutrient cycling in terrestrial ecosystems. Addressing the feeding preferences of millipedes in relation to litter quality could provide insights into selection of appropriate mixed tree species, thereby facilitating the sustainable management of Masson pine plantations. Millipede feeding experiments on leaf litter from three typical subtropical broadleaf species – <em>Camptotheca acuminata</em> (high-quality litter), <em>Quercus variabilis</em> (intermediate-quality), and <em>Michelia wilsonii</em> (low-quality), were conducted in combination with Masson litter. We found that millipedes responded more to litter morphology rather than chemical characteristics. Acid insoluble components, consisting mainly of condensed tannins and lignin in litter had almost no effects on millipede feeding preferences. Despite <em>C. acumina</em>ta containing high levels of tannins and phenols, millipedes exhibited the highest consumption rate (44 mg·g<sup>−1</sup>·d<sup>−1</sup>) on it, due to its higher tubularity and nitrogen concentration. Additionally, when multiple litter sources were available, millipedes showed greater preference for consuming high-quality litter, an indication of the better suitability of <em>C. acuminata</em> for mixture with Masson pine. A transformation of mono-species into a multiple-species based plantation forest would therefore enhance circulation of materials, particularly carbon and nitrogen, through millipedes’ preferential feeding activity.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49711,"journal":{"name":"Pedobiologia","volume":"109 ","pages":"Article 151033"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143561814","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-02-26DOI: 10.1016/j.pedobi.2025.151032
Yudai Kitagami , Yota Imao , Yosuke Matsuda
Habitat edges between two forest types significantly affect the community structure and dynamics of soil organisms Nematodes are a major group of soil microfauna and the most abundant animals on Earth. This study aimed to determine the edge effects of two forest types on soil nematode community composition. We hypothesized that nematode diversity and abundance would be greater in forest edges due to increased heterogeneity of aboveground litter and belowground root traits at the boundary between two forest types, as well as microclimatic variation, enhanced resource inputs, higher plant diversity, and unique soil moisture dynamics characteristic of edge environments. The soil was collected from two adjacent forests, a broadleaf Quercus serrata forest and a coniferous Cryptomeria japonica plantation, with the zone where the two forests transition into one another being referred to as the "forest edge”. Soil nematodes were morphologically identified at the genus/family level and examined for both community structure and trophic composition. Our results showed that there was a significant positive correlation between the relative abundance of herbivorous nematodes and the physical distance from the broadleaf forest to the C. japonica plantation. The diameter of coniferous C. japonica fine roots were greater than those of broadleaf Q. serrata, suggesting that herbivorous nematodes had easily access to edible resources leading to an increase their populations. Moreover, the nematode community structures had a spatial autocorrelation within a 32 m range, their community structures changed significantly from broadleaf forests to C. japonica plantations and that soil pH and C/N significantly influenced the structuring of nematode communities. This study showed that nematode taxonomic and trophic compositions can be influenced by tree root traits within a range of several tens of meters around forest edges facing different forest types. Our results highlighted that forest edges enhance soil nematode taxonomic turnover.
{"title":"The effect of forest edges on soil nematode community structures between broadleaf secondary forest and coniferous plantation","authors":"Yudai Kitagami , Yota Imao , Yosuke Matsuda","doi":"10.1016/j.pedobi.2025.151032","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pedobi.2025.151032","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Habitat edges between two forest types significantly affect the community structure and dynamics of soil organisms Nematodes are a major group of soil microfauna and the most abundant animals on Earth. This study aimed to determine the edge effects of two forest types on soil nematode community composition. We hypothesized that nematode diversity and abundance would be greater in forest edges due to increased heterogeneity of aboveground litter and belowground root traits at the boundary between two forest types, as well as microclimatic variation, enhanced resource inputs, higher plant diversity, and unique soil moisture dynamics characteristic of edge environments. The soil was collected from two adjacent forests, a broadleaf <em>Quercus serrata</em> forest and a coniferous <em>Cryptomeria japonica</em> plantation, with the zone where the two forests transition into one another being referred to as the \"forest edge”. Soil nematodes were morphologically identified at the genus/family level and examined for both community structure and trophic composition. Our results showed that there was a significant positive correlation between the relative abundance of herbivorous nematodes and the physical distance from the broadleaf forest to the <em>C. japonica</em> plantation. The diameter of coniferous <em>C. japonica</em> fine roots were greater than those of broadleaf <em>Q. serrata</em>, suggesting that herbivorous nematodes had easily access to edible resources leading to an increase their populations. Moreover, the nematode community structures had a spatial autocorrelation within a 32 m range, their community structures changed significantly from broadleaf forests to <em>C. japonica</em> plantations and that soil pH and C/N significantly influenced the structuring of nematode communities. This study showed that nematode taxonomic and trophic compositions can be influenced by tree root traits within a range of several tens of meters around forest edges facing different forest types. Our results highlighted that forest edges enhance soil nematode taxonomic turnover.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49711,"journal":{"name":"Pedobiologia","volume":"109 ","pages":"Article 151032"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143551058","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Litter quality determines the resource input from aboveground processes in regulating soil biota function in degraded grassland. However, the knowledge of litter quality along with the degradation on the contribution to the soil biota remains sparse, particularly across different trophic groups, given their varying demands for food resources. A 240-day decomposition experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of the litter quality (high-quality and low-quality litters) on soil nematode communities at different intensities of grassland degradation (light, moderate and heavy). The results showed that, even though degradation induced the abundance of microbivorous nematode, the high trophic group nematode reduction was the primary factor that caused the decrease of top-down control from omnivore-predator (OP). Moreover, the metabolic footprint of omnivore-predator was more sensitive than its abundance with OP footprint taking over 40 % of the total footprint while its abundance taking 15 % of total abundance at the light degradation. At the light degraded level, high-quality litter promoted abundance and metabolic footprint of OP nematodes by 69.37 % and 88.27 %, respectively, compared to low-quality litter. These changes in the nematode communities and functions were primarily determined by the N resource change resulting from litter quality. On the contrary, at the moderate and heavy degraded levels, the execrable soil conditions, characterized by high soil pH, simplified the nematode food web. Therefore, the environmental stress screening on soil nematode communities from degradation exceeded the bottom-up effect from litter input. These results suggested that the community structure determined by long-term harsh soil conditions required more attention on the fundamental approach to soil quality rather than litter quality alone. It is critical to adapt appropriate management practices for rehabilitation in the maintenance of belowground communities in grassland restoration.
{"title":"Impact of litter quality on soil nematode communities with the intensifies of grassland degradation: Shifting from resource input to environmental stress","authors":"Pingting Guan , Mengya Chen , Jianan Li , Junqi Zuo , Shitong Wei , Donghui Wu","doi":"10.1016/j.pedobi.2025.151021","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pedobi.2025.151021","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Litter quality determines the resource input from aboveground processes in regulating soil biota function in degraded grassland. However, the knowledge of litter quality along with the degradation on the contribution to the soil biota remains sparse, particularly across different trophic groups, given their varying demands for food resources. A 240-day decomposition experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of the litter quality (high-quality and low-quality litters) on soil nematode communities at different intensities of grassland degradation (light, moderate and heavy). The results showed that, even though degradation induced the abundance of microbivorous nematode, the high trophic group nematode reduction was the primary factor that caused the decrease of top-down control from omnivore-predator (OP). Moreover, the metabolic footprint of omnivore-predator was more sensitive than its abundance with OP footprint taking over 40 % of the total footprint while its abundance taking 15 % of total abundance at the light degradation. At the light degraded level, high-quality litter promoted abundance and metabolic footprint of OP nematodes by 69.37 % and 88.27 %, respectively, compared to low-quality litter. These changes in the nematode communities and functions were primarily determined by the N resource change resulting from litter quality. On the contrary, at the moderate and heavy degraded levels, the execrable soil conditions, characterized by high soil pH, simplified the nematode food web. Therefore, the environmental stress screening on soil nematode communities from degradation exceeded the bottom-up effect from litter input. These results suggested that the community structure determined by long-term harsh soil conditions required more attention on the fundamental approach to soil quality rather than litter quality alone. It is critical to adapt appropriate management practices for rehabilitation in the maintenance of belowground communities in grassland restoration.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49711,"journal":{"name":"Pedobiologia","volume":"108 ","pages":"Article 151021"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143135294","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-02-01DOI: 10.1016/j.pedobi.2024.151018
Christin Ortlieb , Ben Katzer , Robin Liess , Martha Gartz , Michael Steinert , Liliane Ruess
The feeding behavior of free-living nematodes is shaped by several factors, including food choice and food consumption. The latter is commonly investigated by determining the pumping rate of the pharynx. However, whether the pharyngeal pumping activity also reflects food selection, i.e. whether the pumping rate for preferred food is increased, is largely unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between pumping rate and food choice. For this, the preference of the nematodes Diploscapter coronatus, Diploscapter pachys, Plectus similis and Plectus sp. were examined in binary choice assays. The bacteria Bacillus subtilis, Kitasatospora sp., Sphingomonas trueperi, Pseudomonas fluorescens and two Legionella pneumophila strains were tested against Escherichia coli OP50. The nematode pumping rates were determined for each bacterial diet. Additionally, the effects of bacterial species and size, and of nematode species and genus, size of buccal cavity and pharynx morphology, were investigated.
The nematodes showed a preference for P. fluorescens (except D. pachys) and avoidance of B. subtilis, Kitasatospora sp. and L. pneumophila. The determinants of food choice were nematode species, bacterial species and size, while the pumping rates varied with genus and pharynx proportion. The food preference determined by the choice assay was not necessarily associated with an upregulation of pharyngeal pumping, e.g. Plectus preferred P. fluorescens over E. coli OP50 when having a choice but pumped significantly faster when feeding on the latter. Although the pumping rate changed with bacterial species, there was no clear pattern that allowed a correlation with food choice across the tested nematode taxa, suggesting that pumping frequency is no indicator for food preference. Relating these results to nematode foraging strategy, food choice was determined by bacterial traits associated with diet quality and search, while food consumption was linked to nematode traits affecting diet handling.
{"title":"Food choice and pharyngeal pumping activity of bacterial-feeding nematodes are driven by different functional traits","authors":"Christin Ortlieb , Ben Katzer , Robin Liess , Martha Gartz , Michael Steinert , Liliane Ruess","doi":"10.1016/j.pedobi.2024.151018","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pedobi.2024.151018","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The feeding behavior of free-living nematodes is shaped by several factors, including food choice and food consumption. The latter is commonly investigated by determining the pumping rate of the pharynx. However, whether the pharyngeal pumping activity also reflects food selection, i.e. whether the pumping rate for preferred food is increased, is largely unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between pumping rate and food choice. For this, the preference of the nematodes <em>Diploscapter coronatus</em>, <em>Diploscapter pachys</em>, <em>Plectus similis</em> and <em>Plectus</em> sp. were examined in binary choice assays. The bacteria <em>Bacillus subtilis</em>, <em>Kitasatospora</em> sp., <em>Sphingomonas trueperi</em>, <em>Pseudomonas fluorescens</em> and two <em>Legionella pneumophila</em> strains were tested against <em>Escherichia coli</em> OP50. The nematode pumping rates were determined for each bacterial diet. Additionally, the effects of bacterial species and size, and of nematode species and genus, size of buccal cavity and pharynx morphology, were investigated.</div><div>The nematodes showed a preference for <em>P. fluorescens</em> (except <em>D. pachys</em>) and avoidance of <em>B. subtilis</em>, <em>Kitasatospora</em> sp. and <em>L. pneumophila</em>. The determinants of food choice were nematode species, bacterial species and size, while the pumping rates varied with genus and pharynx proportion. The food preference determined by the choice assay was not necessarily associated with an upregulation of pharyngeal pumping, e.g. <em>Plectus</em> preferred <em>P. fluorescens</em> over <em>E. coli</em> OP50 when having a choice but pumped significantly faster when feeding on the latter. Although the pumping rate changed with bacterial species, there was no clear pattern that allowed a correlation with food choice across the tested nematode taxa, suggesting that pumping frequency is no indicator for food preference. Relating these results to nematode foraging strategy, food choice was determined by bacterial traits associated with diet quality and search, while food consumption was linked to nematode traits affecting diet handling.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49711,"journal":{"name":"Pedobiologia","volume":"108 ","pages":"Article 151018"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143135241","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-02-01DOI: 10.1016/j.pedobi.2024.151015
Heribert Insam , Julia Ecker , Theo Hug , Suzanne Kapelari , Edoardo Mandolini , Thorsten Schwerte , Julia Zöhrer , Judith Ascher-Jenull
MikroMondo, a forthcoming science center in Austria, will be dedicated to the fascinating world of microorganisms, with a special focus on soil and its intricate biodiversity. Designed to promote soil literacy among the public, MikroMondo will feature cutting-edge exhibits, among them Europe's tallest Winogradsky column, live demonstrations of plant-microbe interactions (e.g., mycorrhization of pine seedlings in transparent soil columns), and engaging sound-producing slime molds. These exhibits aim to captivate visitors and highlight the vital role of microorganisms in soil ecosystems. The center will also offer interactive, hands-on activities tailored for school pupils, students, and educators, designed to deepen understanding of microbiological processes such as carbon and nutrient cycling, plant-microbe symbiosis, and soil microbial diversity. Activities will include guided microscopy sessions, microbial cultivation, the creation of Winogradsky columns, and decomposition and gas production experiments. MikroMondo’s innovative approach will inspire curiosity and enhance public appreciation of the hidden world beneath our feet, fostering a new generation of soil stewards and microbial enthusiasts.
{"title":"Unveiling the hidden world beneath: A showcase of soil microorganisms at MikroMondo","authors":"Heribert Insam , Julia Ecker , Theo Hug , Suzanne Kapelari , Edoardo Mandolini , Thorsten Schwerte , Julia Zöhrer , Judith Ascher-Jenull","doi":"10.1016/j.pedobi.2024.151015","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pedobi.2024.151015","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>MikroMondo, a forthcoming science center in Austria, will be dedicated to the fascinating world of microorganisms, with a special focus on soil and its intricate biodiversity. Designed to promote soil literacy among the public, MikroMondo will feature cutting-edge exhibits, among them Europe's tallest Winogradsky column, live demonstrations of plant-microbe interactions (e.g., mycorrhization of pine seedlings in transparent soil columns), and engaging sound-producing slime molds. These exhibits aim to captivate visitors and highlight the vital role of microorganisms in soil ecosystems. The center will also offer interactive, hands-on activities tailored for school pupils, students, and educators, designed to deepen understanding of microbiological processes such as carbon and nutrient cycling, plant-microbe symbiosis, and soil microbial diversity. Activities will include guided microscopy sessions, microbial cultivation, the creation of Winogradsky columns, and decomposition and gas production experiments. MikroMondo’s innovative approach will inspire curiosity and enhance public appreciation of the hidden world beneath our feet, fostering a new generation of soil stewards and microbial enthusiasts.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49711,"journal":{"name":"Pedobiologia","volume":"108 ","pages":"Article 151015"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143135341","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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