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Liu Q, Eisenhauer N, Scheu S, Angst G, Bücker M, Huang Y, Meador TB, Schädler M. Climate-dependent plant responses to earthworms in two land-use types. Oecologia 2024; 204:133-146. [PMID: 38147134 PMCID: PMC10830777 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-023-05493-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023]
Abstract
Plant nutrient uptake and productivity are driven by a multitude of factors that have been modified by human activities, like climate change and the activity of decomposers. However, interactive effects of climate change and key decomposer groups like earthworms have rarely been studied. In a field microcosm experiment, we investigated the effects of a mean future climate scenario with warming (+ 0.50 °C to + 0.62 °C) and altered precipitation (+ 10% in spring and autumn, - 20% in summer) and earthworms (anecic-two Lumbricus terrestris, endogeic-four Allolobophora chlorotica and both together within 10 cm diameter tubes) on plant biomass and stoichiometry in two land-use types (intensively used meadow and conventional farming). We found little evidence for earthworm effects on aboveground biomass. However, future climate increased above- (+40.9%) and belowground biomass (+44.7%) of grass communities, which was mainly driven by production of the dominant Festulolium species during non-summer drought periods, but decreased the aboveground biomass (- 36.9%) of winter wheat. Projected climate change and earthworms interactively affected the N content and C:N ratio of grasses. Earthworms enhanced the N content (+1.2%) thereby decreasing the C:N ratio (- 4.1%) in grasses, but only under ambient climate conditions. The future climate treatment generally decreased the N content of grasses (aboveground: - 1.1%, belowground: - 0.15%) and winter wheat (- 0.14%), resulting in an increase in C:N ratio of grasses (aboveground: + 4.2%, belowground: +6.3%) and wheat (+5.9%). Our results suggest that climate change diminishes the positive effects of earthworms on plant nutrient uptakes due to soil water deficit, especially during summer drought.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qun Liu
- Department of Community Ecology, Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ, Halle (Saale), Germany.
- Johann-Friedrich-Blumenbach Institute of Zoology and Anthropology, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Nico Eisenhauer
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv), Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Institute for Biology, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Stefan Scheu
- Johann-Friedrich-Blumenbach Institute of Zoology and Anthropology, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Centre of Biodiversity and Sustainable Land Use, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Gerrit Angst
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv), Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Institute for Biology, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Soil Biology and Biogeochemistry, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Miriam Bücker
- Institute of Agricultural and Nutritional Sciences, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Yuanyuan Huang
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv), Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Institute for Biology, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Travis B Meador
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Soil Biology and Biogeochemistry, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Department of Ecosystem Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Schädler
- Department of Community Ecology, Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ, Halle (Saale), Germany
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv), Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
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2
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Buchkowski RW, Schmitz OJ. Weak interactions between strong interactors in an old‐field ecosystem: Control of nitrogen cycling by coupled herbivores and detritivores. Funct Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.13932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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3
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Thouvenot L, Ferlian O, Beugnon R, Künne T, Lochner A, Thakur MP, Türke M, Eisenhauer N. Do Invasive Earthworms Affect the Functional Traits of Native Plants? FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:627573. [PMID: 33796124 PMCID: PMC8007962 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.627573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
As ecosystem engineers, invasive earthworms are one of the main drivers of plant community changes in North American forests previously devoid of earthworms. One explanation for these community changes is the effects of earthworms on the reproduction, recruitment, and development of plant species. However, few studies have investigated functional trait responses of native plants to earthworm invasion to explain the mechanisms underlying community changes. In a mesocosm (Ecotron) experiment, we set up a plant community composed of two herb and two grass species commonly found in northern North American forests under two earthworm treatments (presence vs. absence). We measured earthworm effects on above- and belowground plant biomass and functional traits after 3 months of experiment. Our results showed that earthworm presence did not significantly affect plant community biomass and cover. Furthermore, only four out of the fifteen above- and belowground traits measured were affected by earthworm presence. While some traits, such as the production of ramets, the carbon and nitrogen content of leaves, responded similarly between and within functional groups in the presence or absence of earthworms, we observed opposite responses for other traits, such as height, specific leaf area, and root length within some functional groups in the presence of earthworms. Plant trait responses were thus species-specific, although the two grass species showed a more pronounced response to earthworm presence with changes in their leaf traits than herb species. Overall, earthworms affected some functional traits related to resource uptake abilities of plants and thus could change plant competition outcomes over time, which could be an explanation of plant community changes observed in invaded ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lise Thouvenot
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Biology, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Olga Ferlian
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Biology, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Rémy Beugnon
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Biology, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Tom Künne
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Biology, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Alfred Lochner
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Biology, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Madhav P Thakur
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Biology, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
- Terrestrial Ecology Group, Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Manfred Türke
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Biology, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Nico Eisenhauer
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Biology, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
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4
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Liu L, Alpert P, Dong BC, Yu FH. Modification by earthworms of effects of soil heterogeneity and root foraging in eight species of grass. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 708:134941. [PMID: 31796271 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.134941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2019] [Revised: 10/08/2019] [Accepted: 10/10/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Spatial heterogeneity of soil nutrients and earthworm activity can each increase the performance of plant species, but their interactive effects have been little studied. The ability of plants to forage for nutrients by concentrating roots where nutrients are concentrated can partly explain the positive effects of nutrient heterogeneity, but whether root foraging can help explain the positive effects of earthworm activity is untested. We conducted a greenhouse experiment in which we grew eight species of Poaceae in homogeneous and heterogeneous soils with or without the earthworms Eisenia fetida and Metaphire guillelmi and measured net accumulation of plant mass and tillers. Effects of heterogeneity and earthworms on plant performance were positive in most species. The presence of earthworms reduced the directly measured effect of heterogeneity on total mass in some grass species. Most species showed root foraging ability. Ability showed no relationship to effects of heterogeneity or earthworms on final total dry mass. However, earthworms reduced foraging in some species, possibly by lessening heterogeneity. Earthworm activity in heterogeneous soil may thus reduce the benefits of root foraging for nutrients in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Liu
- Institute of Wetland Ecology & Clone Ecology/Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation, Taizhou University, Taizhou 318000, China; School of Water Conservancy, North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, Zhengzhou 450045, China; School of Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Peter Alpert
- Biology Department, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Bi-Cheng Dong
- School of Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Fei-Hai Yu
- Institute of Wetland Ecology & Clone Ecology/Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation, Taizhou University, Taizhou 318000, China; School of Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China.
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5
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Goh HW, Lem KS, Azizan NA, Chang CK, Talei A, Leow CS, Zakaria NA. A review of bioretention components and nutrient removal under different climates-future directions for tropics. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 26:14904-14919. [PMID: 30977005 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-05041-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2019] [Accepted: 03/29/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Bioretention systems have been implemented as stormwater best management practices (BMPs) worldwide to treat non-point sources pollution. Due to insufficient research, the design guidelines for bioretention systems in tropical countries are modeled after those of temperate countries. However, climatic factors and stormwater runoff characteristics are the two key factors affecting the capacity of bioretention system. This paper reviews and compares the stormwater runoff characteristics, bioretention components, pollutant removal requirements, and applications of bioretention systems in temperate and tropical countries. Suggestions are given for bioretention components in the tropics, including elimination of mulch layer and submerged zone. More research is required to identify suitable additives for filter media, study tropical shrubs application while avoiding using grass and sedges, explore function of soil faunas, and adopt final discharged pollutants concentration (mg/L) on top of percentage removal (%) in bioretention design guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Weng Goh
- River Engineering and Urban Drainage Research Centre (REDAC), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Engineering Campus, Nibong Tebal, Penang, Malaysia.
| | - Khe Sin Lem
- River Engineering and Urban Drainage Research Centre (REDAC), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Engineering Campus, Nibong Tebal, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Nor Ariza Azizan
- River Engineering and Urban Drainage Research Centre (REDAC), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Engineering Campus, Nibong Tebal, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Chun Kiat Chang
- River Engineering and Urban Drainage Research Centre (REDAC), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Engineering Campus, Nibong Tebal, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Amin Talei
- Discipline of Civil Engineering, School of Engineering, Monash University Malaysia, 47500, Bandar Sunway, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
| | | | - Nor Azazi Zakaria
- River Engineering and Urban Drainage Research Centre (REDAC), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Engineering Campus, Nibong Tebal, Penang, Malaysia
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6
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Tamburini G, van Gils S, Kos M, van der Putten W, Marini L. Drought and soil fertility modify fertilization effects on aphid performance in wheat. Basic Appl Ecol 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.baae.2018.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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7
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Xiao Z, Wang X, Koricheva J, Kergunteuil A, Le Bayon R, Liu M, Hu F, Rasmann S. Earthworms affect plant growth and resistance against herbivores: A meta‐analysis. Funct Ecol 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.12969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Zhenggao Xiao
- Soil Ecology LabCollege of Resources and Environmental SciencesNanjing Agricultural University Nanjing China
- Institute of BiologyUniversity of Neuchâtel Neuchatel Switzerland
| | - Xie Wang
- Soil and Fertilizer Research InstituteSichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences Chengdu China
| | - Julia Koricheva
- School of Biological SciencesRoyal Holloway University of London Egham UK
| | - Alan Kergunteuil
- Institute of BiologyUniversity of Neuchâtel Neuchatel Switzerland
| | | | - Manqiang Liu
- Soil Ecology LabCollege of Resources and Environmental SciencesNanjing Agricultural University Nanjing China
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Solid Organic Waste Resource Utilization Nanjing China
| | - Feng Hu
- Soil Ecology LabCollege of Resources and Environmental SciencesNanjing Agricultural University Nanjing China
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Solid Organic Waste Resource Utilization Nanjing China
| | - Sergio Rasmann
- Institute of BiologyUniversity of Neuchâtel Neuchatel Switzerland
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Velki M, Ečimović S. Important Issues in Ecotoxicological Investigations Using Earthworms. REVIEWS OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2017; 239:157-184. [PMID: 27161559 DOI: 10.1007/398_2016_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The importance and beneficial effects of earthworms on soil structure and quality is well-established. In addition, earthworms have proved to be important model organisms for investigation of pollutant effects on soil ecosystems. In ecotoxicological investigations effects of various pollutants on earthworms were assessed. But some important issues regarding the effects of pollutants on earthworms still need to be comprehensively addressed. In this review several issues relevant to soil ecotoxicological investigations using earthworms are emphasized and guidelines that should be adopted in ecotoxicological investigations using earthworms are given. The inclusion of these guidelines in ecotoxicological studies will contribute to the better quantification of impacts of pollutants and will allow more accurate prediction of the real field effects of pollutants to earthworms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirna Velki
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Cara Hadrijana 8/A, Osijek, 31000, Croatia.
| | - Sandra Ečimović
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Cara Hadrijana 8/A, Osijek, 31000, Croatia
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9
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Kos M, Jing J, Keesmaat I, Declerck SAJ, Wagenaar R, Bezemer TM. After-life effects: living and dead invertebrates differentially affect plants and their associated above- and belowground multitrophic communities. OIKOS 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.03734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Martine Kos
- Netherlands Inst. of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW); Dept of Terrestrial Ecology; PO Box 50 NL-6700 AB Wageningen the Netherlands
| | - Jingying Jing
- Netherlands Inst. of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW); Dept of Terrestrial Ecology; PO Box 50 NL-6700 AB Wageningen the Netherlands
| | - Ivor Keesmaat
- Netherlands Inst. of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW); Dept of Terrestrial Ecology; PO Box 50 NL-6700 AB Wageningen the Netherlands
| | - Steven A. J. Declerck
- Netherlands Inst. of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW); Dept of Aquatic Ecology; Wageningen the Netherlands
| | - Roel Wagenaar
- Netherlands Inst. of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW); Dept of Terrestrial Ecology; PO Box 50 NL-6700 AB Wageningen the Netherlands
| | - T. Martijn Bezemer
- Netherlands Inst. of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW); Dept of Terrestrial Ecology; PO Box 50 NL-6700 AB Wageningen the Netherlands
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Chamagne J, Paine CET, Schoolmaster DR, Stejskal R, Volarřík D, Šebesta J, Trnka F, Koutecký T, Švarc P, Svátek M, Hector A, Matula R. Do the rich get richer? Varying effects of tree species identity and diversity on the richness of understory taxa. Ecology 2016; 97:2364-2373. [DOI: 10.1002/ecy.1479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2016] [Revised: 05/03/2016] [Accepted: 05/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Juliette Chamagne
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies; University of Zurich; Winterthurerstrasse 190 CH-8057 Zurich Switzerland
| | - C. E. Timothy Paine
- Biological and Environmental Sciences; University of Stirling; Stirling FK9 4LA United Kingdom
| | - Donald R. Schoolmaster
- Wetland and Aquatic Research Center; U.S. Geological Survey; Lafayette Louisiana 70506 USA
| | - Robert Stejskal
- Department of Forest Botany, Dendrology and Geobiocoenology; Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology; Mendel University in Brno; Zemeědeělská 3 613 00 Brno Czech Republic
| | - Daniel Volarřík
- Department of Forest Botany, Dendrology and Geobiocoenology; Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology; Mendel University in Brno; Zemeědeělská 3 613 00 Brno Czech Republic
| | - Jan Šebesta
- Department of Forest Botany, Dendrology and Geobiocoenology; Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology; Mendel University in Brno; Zemeědeělská 3 613 00 Brno Czech Republic
| | - Filip Trnka
- Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences; Faculty of Science; Palacký University Olomouc; Šlechtiteluů 27 CZ-783 71 Olomouc Czech Republic
| | - Tomáš Koutecký
- Department of Forest Botany, Dendrology and Geobiocoenology; Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology; Mendel University in Brno; Zemeědeělská 3 613 00 Brno Czech Republic
| | - Petr Švarc
- Department of Forest Protection and Wildlife Management; Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology; Mendel University in Brno; Zemeědeělská 3 613 00 Brno Czech Republic
| | - Martin Svátek
- Department of Forest Botany, Dendrology and Geobiocoenology; Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology; Mendel University in Brno; Zemeědeělská 3 613 00 Brno Czech Republic
| | - Andy Hector
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies; University of Zurich; Winterthurerstrasse 190 CH-8057 Zurich Switzerland
- Department of Plant Sciences; University of Oxford; Oxford OX1 3RB United Kingdom
| | - Radim Matula
- Department of Forest Botany, Dendrology and Geobiocoenology; Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology; Mendel University in Brno; Zemeědeělská 3 613 00 Brno Czech Republic
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Zhang T, Li S, Sun X, Zhang Y, Gong X, Fu Y, Jia L. The Earthworm Eisenia fetida Can Help Desalinate a Coastal Saline Soil in Tianjin, North China. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0144709. [PMID: 26699869 PMCID: PMC4689387 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0144709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2015] [Accepted: 11/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
A laboratory microcosm experiment was conducted to determine whether the earthworm Eisenia fetida could survive in a saline soil from a field site in North China, and an experiment using response surface methodology was conducted at that field site to quantify the effects of E. fetida and green waste compost (GWC) on the salt content of the soil. The microcosm results showed that E. fetida survived in GWC-amended saline soil and increased the contents of humic acid, available N, and available P in the GWC-amended soil. The data from the field experiment were described by the following second-order model: [Formula in text], where y is the decrease in soil salinity (g of salt per kg of dry soil) relative to the untreated control, x1 is the number of E. fetida added per m2, and x2 is the quantity of GWC added in kg per m2. The model predicted that the total salt content of the saline soil would decrease by > 2 g kg(-1) (p<0.05) when 29-90 individuals m-2 of E. fetida and 6.1-15.0 kg m(-2) of GWC were applied. We conclude that the use of E. fetida for soil desalination is promising and warrants additional investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Zhang
- College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Suyan Li
- College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiangyang Sun
- College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Zhang
- College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoqiang Gong
- College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Fu
- Shandong ShengWei Gardening Technology Co., Ltd., Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Liming Jia
- Tianjin JiaLiMing Biological Technology Co., Ltd., Tianjin, China
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12
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Mehring AS, Levin LA. REVIEW: Potential roles of soil fauna in improving the efficiency of rain gardens used as natural stormwater treatment systems. J Appl Ecol 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.12525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew S. Mehring
- Center for Marine Biodiversity and Conservation; Scripps Institution of Oceanography; University of California; San Diego La Jolla CA 92093-0218 USA
| | - Lisa A. Levin
- Center for Marine Biodiversity and Conservation; Scripps Institution of Oceanography; University of California; San Diego La Jolla CA 92093-0218 USA
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13
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Singh A, Braun J, Decker E, Hans S, Wagner A, Weisser WW, Zytynska SE. Plant genetic variation mediates an indirect ecological effect between belowground earthworms and aboveground aphids. BMC Ecol 2014; 14:25. [PMID: 25331082 PMCID: PMC4209454 DOI: 10.1186/s12898-014-0025-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2014] [Accepted: 09/25/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Interactions between aboveground and belowground terrestrial communities are often mediated by plants, with soil organisms interacting via the roots and aboveground organisms via the shoots and leaves. Many studies now show that plant genetics can drive changes in the structure of both above and belowground communities; however, the role of plant genetic variation in mediating aboveground-belowground interactions is still unclear. We used an earthworm-plant-aphid model system with two aphid species (Aphis fabae and Acyrthosiphon pisum) to test the effect of host-plant (Vicia faba) genetic variation on the indirect interaction between the belowground earthworms (Eisenia veneta) on the aboveground aphid populations. RESULTS Our data shows that host-plant variety mediated an indirect ecological effect of earthworms on generalist black bean aphids (A. fabae), with earthworms increasing aphid growth rate in three plant varieties but decreasing it in another variety. We found no effect of earthworms on the second aphid species, the pea aphid (A. pisum), and no effect of competition between the aphid species. Plant biomass was increased when earthworms were present, and decreased when A. pisum was feeding on the plant (mediated by plant variety). Although A. fabae aphids were influenced by the plants and worms, they did not, in turn, alter plant biomass. CONCLUSIONS Previous work has shown inconsistent effects of earthworms on aphids, but we suggest these differences could be explained by plant genetic variation and variation among aphid species. This study demonstrates that the outcome of belowground-aboveground interactions can be mediated by genetic variation in the host-plant, but depends on the identity of the species involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akanksha Singh
- Terrestrial Ecology Research Group, Department for Ecology and Ecosystem Management, Centre for Food and Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technische Universität München, Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz-Platz 2, Freising, 85354, Germany.
| | - Julia Braun
- Terrestrial Ecology Research Group, Department for Ecology and Ecosystem Management, Centre for Food and Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technische Universität München, Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz-Platz 2, Freising, 85354, Germany.
| | - Emilia Decker
- Terrestrial Ecology Research Group, Department for Ecology and Ecosystem Management, Centre for Food and Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technische Universität München, Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz-Platz 2, Freising, 85354, Germany.
| | - Sarah Hans
- Terrestrial Ecology Research Group, Department for Ecology and Ecosystem Management, Centre for Food and Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technische Universität München, Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz-Platz 2, Freising, 85354, Germany.
| | - Agnes Wagner
- Terrestrial Ecology Research Group, Department for Ecology and Ecosystem Management, Centre for Food and Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technische Universität München, Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz-Platz 2, Freising, 85354, Germany.
| | - Wolfgang W Weisser
- Terrestrial Ecology Research Group, Department for Ecology and Ecosystem Management, Centre for Food and Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technische Universität München, Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz-Platz 2, Freising, 85354, Germany.
| | - Sharon E Zytynska
- Terrestrial Ecology Research Group, Department for Ecology and Ecosystem Management, Centre for Food and Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technische Universität München, Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz-Platz 2, Freising, 85354, Germany.
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14
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Wurst S. Plant-mediated links between detritivores and aboveground herbivores. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2013; 4:380. [PMID: 24069027 PMCID: PMC3781341 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2013.00380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2013] [Accepted: 08/21/2013] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Most studies on plant-mediated above-belowground interactions focus on soil biota with direct trophic links to plant roots such as root herbivores, pathogens, and symbionts. Detritivorous soil fauna, though ubiquitous and present in high abundances and biomasses in soil, are under-represented in those studies. Understanding of their impact on plants is mainly restricted to growth and nutrient uptake parameters. Detritivores have been shown to affect secondary metabolites and defense gene expression in aboveground parts of plants, with potential impacts on aboveground plant-herbivore interactions. The proposed mechanisms range from nutrient mobilization effects and impacts on soil microorganisms to defense induction by passive or active ingestion of roots. Since their negative effects (disruption or direct feeding of roots) may be counterbalanced by their overall beneficial effects (nutrient mobilization), detritivores may not harm, but rather enable plants to respond to aboveground herbivore attacks in a more efficient way. Both more mechanistic and holistic approaches are needed to better understand the involvement of detritivores in plant-mediated above-belowground interactions and their potential for sustainable agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Wurst
- *Correspondence: Susanne Wurst, Dahlem Centre of Plant Sciences, Functional Biodiversity, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Strasse 1-3, 14195 Berlin, Germany e-mail:
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Wurst S. Plant-mediated links between detritivores and aboveground herbivores. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2013; 4:380. [PMID: 24069027 PMCID: PMC3781341 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2013.00353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2013] [Accepted: 08/21/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Most studies on plant-mediated above-belowground interactions focus on soil biota with direct trophic links to plant roots such as root herbivores, pathogens, and symbionts. Detritivorous soil fauna, though ubiquitous and present in high abundances and biomasses in soil, are under-represented in those studies. Understanding of their impact on plants is mainly restricted to growth and nutrient uptake parameters. Detritivores have been shown to affect secondary metabolites and defense gene expression in aboveground parts of plants, with potential impacts on aboveground plant-herbivore interactions. The proposed mechanisms range from nutrient mobilization effects and impacts on soil microorganisms to defense induction by passive or active ingestion of roots. Since their negative effects (disruption or direct feeding of roots) may be counterbalanced by their overall beneficial effects (nutrient mobilization), detritivores may not harm, but rather enable plants to respond to aboveground herbivore attacks in a more efficient way. Both more mechanistic and holistic approaches are needed to better understand the involvement of detritivores in plant-mediated above-belowground interactions and their potential for sustainable agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Wurst
- Dahlem Centre of Plant Sciences, Functional Biodiversity, Freie Universität BerlinBerlin, Germany
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Trouvé R, Drapela T, Frank T, Hadacek F, Zaller JG. Herbivory of an invasive slug in a model grassland community can be affected by earthworms and mycorrhizal fungi. BIOLOGY AND FERTILITY OF SOILS 2013; 50:13-23. [PMID: 26069356 PMCID: PMC4459544 DOI: 10.1007/s00374-013-0827-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2013] [Revised: 05/17/2013] [Accepted: 05/30/2013] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Invasion of non-native species is among the top threats for the biodiversity and functioning of native and agricultural ecosystems worldwide. We investigated whether the herbivory of the slug Arion vulgaris (formerly Arion lusitanicus; Gastropoda), that is listed among the 100 worst alien species in Europe, is affected by soil organisms commonly present in terrestrial ecosystems (i.e. earthworms-Annelida: Lumbricidae and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi-AMF, Glomerales). We hypothesized that slug herbivory would be affected by soil organisms via altered plant nutrient availability and plant quality. In a greenhouse experiment, we created a simple plant community consisting of a grass, a forb, and a legume species and inoculated these systems with either two earthworm species and/or four AMF taxa. Slugs were introduced after plants were established. Earthworms significantly reduced total slug herbivory in AMF-inoculated plant communities (P = 0.013). Across plant species, earthworms increased leaf total N and secondary metabolites, AMF decreased leaf thickness. Mycorrhizae induced a shift in slug feeding preference from non-legumes to legumes; the grass was generally avoided by slugs. AMF effects on legume herbivory can partly be explained by the AMF-induced increase in total N and decrease in C/N ratio; earthworm effects are less clear as no worm-induced alterations of legume plant chemistry were observed. The presence of earthworms increased average AMF colonization of plant roots by 140 % (P < 0.001). Total shoot mass was significantly increased by AMF (P < 0.001). These data suggest that the feeding behavior of this invasive slug is altered by a belowground control of plant chemical quality and community structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raphaël Trouvé
- Institute of Zoology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, Gregor Mendel Straße 33, 1180 Vienna, Austria
- Agro Paris Tech, Paris Institute of Technology for Life, Food and Environmental Sciences, 14 rue Girardet, CS 14216, 54042 Nancy, France
| | - Thomas Drapela
- Institute of Zoology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, Gregor Mendel Straße 33, 1180 Vienna, Austria
- Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL Austria), Seidengasse 33-35/13, 1070 Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas Frank
- Institute of Zoology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, Gregor Mendel Straße 33, 1180 Vienna, Austria
| | - Franz Hadacek
- Albrecht-von-Haller Institute, Plant Biochemistry, Georg-August-University of Göttingen, Justus-von-Liebig Weg 11, 370077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Johann G. Zaller
- Institute of Zoology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, Gregor Mendel Straße 33, 1180 Vienna, Austria
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van der Putten WH, Bardgett RD, de Ruiter PC, Hol WHG, Meyer KM, Bezemer TM, Bradford MA, Christensen S, Eppinga MB, Fukami T, Hemerik L, Molofsky J, Schädler M, Scherber C, Strauss SY, Vos M, Wardle DA. Empirical and theoretical challenges in aboveground-belowground ecology. Oecologia 2009; 161:1-14. [PMID: 19412705 PMCID: PMC2700873 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-009-1351-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 198] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2008] [Accepted: 03/12/2009] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
A growing body of evidence shows that aboveground and belowground communities and processes are intrinsically linked, and that feedbacks between these subsystems have important implications for community structure and ecosystem functioning. Almost all studies on this topic have been carried out from an empirical perspective and in specific ecological settings or contexts. Belowground interactions operate at different spatial and temporal scales. Due to the relatively low mobility and high survival of organisms in the soil, plants have longer lasting legacy effects belowground than aboveground. Our current challenge is to understand how aboveground-belowground biotic interactions operate across spatial and temporal scales, and how they depend on, as well as influence, the abiotic environment. Because empirical capacities are too limited to explore all possible combinations of interactions and environmental settings, we explore where and how they can be supported by theoretical approaches to develop testable predictions and to generalise empirical results. We review four key areas where a combined aboveground-belowground approach offers perspectives for enhancing ecological understanding, namely succession, agro-ecosystems, biological invasions and global change impacts on ecosystems. In plant succession, differences in scales between aboveground and belowground biota, as well as between species interactions and ecosystem processes, have important implications for the rate and direction of community change. Aboveground as well as belowground interactions either enhance or reduce rates of plant species replacement. Moreover, the outcomes of the interactions depend on abiotic conditions and plant life history characteristics, which may vary with successional position. We exemplify where translation of the current conceptual succession models into more predictive models can help targeting empirical studies and generalising their results. Then, we discuss how understanding succession may help to enhance managing arable crops, grasslands and invasive plants, as well as provide insights into the effects of global change on community re-organisation and ecosystem processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wim H van der Putten
- Department of Multitrophic Interactions, Centre for Terrestrial Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology NIOO-KNAW, Heteren, The Netherlands.
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Earthworms, Collembola and residue management change wheat (Triticum aestivum) and herbivore pest performance (Aphidina: Rhophalosiphum padi). Oecologia 2008; 157:603-17. [DOI: 10.1007/s00442-008-1106-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2008] [Accepted: 06/19/2008] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Milcu A, Partsch S, Scherber C, Weisser WW, Scheu S. EARTHWORMS AND LEGUMES CONTROL LITTER DECOMPOSITION IN A PLANT DIVERSITY GRADIENT. Ecology 2008; 89:1872-82. [DOI: 10.1890/07-1377.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Milcu A, Partsch S, Langel R, Scheu S. The response of decomposers (earthworms, springtails and microorganisms) to variations in species and functional group diversity of plants. OIKOS 2006. [DOI: 10.1111/j.0030-1299.2006.14292.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Abstract
Studies on plant-defensive chemistry have mainly focused on plants in direct interaction with aboveground and occasionally belowground herbivores and pathogens. Here we investigate whether decomposers and the spatial distribution of organic residues in soil affect plant-defensive chemistry. Litter concentrated in a patch (vs. homogeneously mixed into the soil) led to an increase in the aucubin content in shoots of Plantago lanceolata. Earthworms increased total phytosterol content of shoots, but only when the litter was mixed homogeneously into the soil. The phytosterol content increased and aphid reproduction decreased with increasing N concentration of the shoots. This study documents for the first time that earthworms and the spatial distribution of litter may change plant-defensive chemistry against herbivores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Wurst
- Institut für Zoologie, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Schnittspahnstr. 3 64287 Darmstadt, Germany.
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NEWINGTON JE, SETALA H, BEZEMER TM, JONES TH. Potential effects of earthworms on leaf-chewer performance. Funct Ecol 2004. [DOI: 10.1111/j.0269-8463.2004.00888.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Vestergård M, Bjørnlund L, Christensen S. Aphid effects on rhizosphere microorganisms and microfauna depend more on barley growth phase than on soil fertilization. Oecologia 2004; 141:84-93. [PMID: 15278430 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-004-1651-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2004] [Accepted: 06/08/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
This paper gives the first reports on aphid effects on rhizosphere organisms as influenced by soil nutrient status and plant development. Barley plants grown in pots fertilized with N but without P (N), with N and P (NP), or not fertilized (0) were sampled in the early growth phase (day 25), 1 week before and 1 week after spike emergence. Aphids were added 16 days before sampling was carried out. In a separate experiment belowground respiration was measured on N and NP fertilized plant-soil systems with aphid treatments comparable to the first experiment. Aphids reduced numbers of rhizosphere bacteria and fungal feeding nematodes 1 week before spike emergence. Before spike emergence, aphids reduced belowground respiration in NP treatments. These findings strongly indicate that aphids reduced allocation of photoassimilates to roots and deposition of root exudates in the growth phase of the plant. Contrary to this, 1 week after spike emergence numbers of bacteria, fungal feeding nematodes and Protozoa were higher in rhizospheres of plants subjected to aphids probably because aphids enhanced root mortality and root decomposition. Protozoa and bacterial feeding nematodes were stimulated at different experimental conditions with nematodes being the dominant bacterial grazers at N fertilization and Protozoa in the NP treatment before spike emergence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mette Vestergård
- Department of Terrestrial Ecology, Biological Institute, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 15, 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark.
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Wurst S, Dugassa-Gobena D, Langel R, Bonkowski M, Scheu S. Combined effects of earthworms and vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizas on plant and aphid performance. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2004; 163:169-176. [PMID: 33873788 DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2004.01106.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
• Vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza (VAM) and earthworms are known to affect plant and herbivore performance. However, surprisingly few studies have investigated their interactions. • In a glasshouse experiment we investigated the effects of earthworms (Aporrectodea caliginosa) and VAM (Glomus intraradices) on the growth and chemistry of Plantago lanceolata and the performance of aphids (Myzus persicae). • Earthworms did not affect VAM root colonization. Earthworms enhanced shoot biomass, and VAM reduced root biomass. VAM increased plant phosphorus content, but reduced the total amount of N in leaves. Earthworms led to a preferential uptake of soil N compared with 15 N from the added grass residues in the absence of VAM. Earthworm presence reduced the concentration of catalpol. Earthworms and VAM combined accelerated the development of M. persicae, while the development tended to be delayed when only VAM or earthworms were present. • We suggest that earthworms promote plant growth by enhancing soil N availability and may affect herbivores by influencing concentrations of secondary metabolites. VAM enhances the P uptake of plants, but presumably competes with plant roots for N.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Wurst
- Technische Universität Darmstadt, Institut für Zoologie, Schnittspahnstr. 3, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Dereje Dugassa-Gobena
- Georg-August Universität Göttingen, Institut für Pflanzenpathologie und Pflanzenschutz, Grisebachstr. 6, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Reinhard Langel
- Georg-August Universität Göttingen, Kompetenzzentrum Stabile Isotope, Forschungszentrum Waldökosysteme, Büsgenweg 2, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Michael Bonkowski
- Technische Universität Darmstadt, Institut für Zoologie, Schnittspahnstr. 3, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Stefan Scheu
- Technische Universität Darmstadt, Institut für Zoologie, Schnittspahnstr. 3, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
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Abstract
All nutrients that plants absorb have to pass a region of intense interactions between roots, microorganisms and animals, termed the rhizosphere. Plants allocate a great portion of their photosynthetically fixed carbon to root-infecting symbionts, such asmycorrhizal fungi; another part is released as exudates fuelling mainly free-living rhizobacteria. Rhizobacteria are strongly top-down regulated by microfaunal grazers, particularly protozoa. Consequently, beneficial effects of protozoa on plant growth have been assigned to nutrients released from consumed bacterial biomass, that is, the 'microbial loop'. In recent years however, the recognition of bacterial communication networks, the common exchange of microbial signals with roots and the fact that these signals are used to enhance the efflux of carbon from roots have revolutionized our view of rhizosphere processes. Most importantly, effects of rhizobacteria on root architecture seem to be driven in large by protozoan grazers. Protozoan effects on plant root systems stand in sharp contrast to effects of mycorrhizal fungi. Because the regulation of root architecture is a key determinant of nutrient- and water-use efficiency in plants, protozoa provide a model system that may considerably advance our understanding of the mechanisms underlying plant growth and community composition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Bonkowski
- Rhizosphere Ecology Group, Institut für Zoologie, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Schnittspahnstr. 3, D-64287 Darmstadt, Germany
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