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The influence of millipedes on selected soil elements: a microcosm study on three species occurring on coastal sand dunes
Author(s) -
A.M. Smit,
R. J. Van Aarde
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
functional ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.272
H-Index - 154
eISSN - 1365-2435
pISSN - 0269-8463
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2435.2001.00493.x
Subject(s) - microcosm , biology , detritus , ecology , phosphorus , nutrient , soil water , botany , zoology , chemistry , organic chemistry
Summary1 The effect of mechanical breakdown of detritus by the millipedes Centrobolus fulgidus , Centrobolus richardii and Spinotarsus sp. on selected soil elements was investigated in the laboratory. 2 Microcosms containing soils, detritus and millipedes from areas undergoing vegetation regeneration were set up in a climate chamber. Short‐term changes in soil concentrations of ammonia (NH 4+ ), nitrates (NO 3− ), phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), nitrogen (N) and carbon (C) in the presence and absence of millipedes were determined. 3 Soil concentrations of the elements investigated were higher in microcosms subjected to millipede activity than in controls. Microcosms containing Spinotarsus sp. and C. richardii were found to have the highest concentrations of Mg, K, N and C. 4 The results further illustrated no major sex‐specific differences for individual species. 5 For most elements, rates of change were not affected by millipede biomass. However, the largest effect was in rate of change of Mg and K measured at 5–15 g of millipedes per microcosm. 6 Compositional effects (species present) were recorded for rates of change in K concentrations. 7 Influence of species richness on rates of change was only recorded for K and N, with rates for both increasing as the number of species increased. The predictability of rate of change diminished for K with an increase in the number of species. 8 It is concluded that millipedes influence concentrations of soil elements through species‐specific differential effects. Patterns related to composition and species richness only reflect species‐specific differences. Nevertheless, the rate at which these soil elements increase in the microcosms suggests that millipede activity may accelerate the release of elements in areas undergoing vegetation development on coastal dune forests.