The effects of mountain meadows management on soil fauna communities (on example of earthworms and oribatid mites)

0206385 - UPB-H 20023029 RIV CZ eng J - Journal Article
Pižl, Václav - Starý, Josef
The effects of mountain meadows management on soil fauna communities (on example of earthworms and oribatid mites).
Silva Gabreta. Roč. 7, - (2001), s. 87-96. ISSN 1211-7420
R&D Projects: GA ČR GA206/99/1410
Institutional research plan: CEZ:AV0Z6066911
Keywords : earthworms * oribatid mites * mountain meadows
Subject RIV: EH - Ecology, Behaviour

The impact of different management on communities of earthworms and oribatid mites was studied in a mountain meadow at Huťská hora Mt. (Bohemian Forest, Czech Republic) in 1999-2000. Significant differences in earthworm populations were found between regularly mown plots and those where management shifted to mulching or to lying fallow. Compared with the mean worm biomass of 24 g.m-2 in moist mown plot, mulched plot had 10g.m-2 and that lain fallow 6 g.m-2. Earthworm species recorded were Aporrectodea caliginosa, A. rosea, Dendrobaena octaedra, Lumbricus rubellus and Octolasion lacteum. Species composition did not differ between plots; however, management shifting resulted in structural changes of earthworm communities. Average density of oribatid mites was significantly lower in mulched plot (31 500 ind.m-2) than in lain fallow (51 400 ind.m-2)and moist mown ones (58 900 ind.m-2) in 1999. Mulching and lying fallow resulted in changes of community structure of oribatid mites; dominance and population density of eudominant species Tectocepheus sarekensis decreased, while the same parameters of Berniniella hauseri and Brachychthonius impressus increased.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0101979