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Soil Disturbance by the Emergence of Periodical Cicadas
Author(s) -
Luken J. O.,
Kalisz P. J.
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1989.03615995005300010060x
Subject(s) - burrow , disturbance (geology) , turret , environmental science , soil nutrients , ecology , geology , hydrology (agriculture) , soil water , soil science , biology , geography , geotechnical engineering , geomorphology , archaeology
Abstract Soil disturbance by animals is an important feature of soil genesis. This study evaluated the impact of cicada ( Magicicada spp.) nymph emergence on soil redistribution in northern Kentucky forests. The excavation of burrows and the construction of turrets at burrow openings were the primary activities causing soil movement. The number of turrets ranged from 40 to 170 m −2 , and quantity of soil deposited on the ground surface ranged from 626 to 2330 g m −2 . Turret soil material came primarily from the A horizon. Nutrient concentrations in turret soil were significantly less than concentrations in the upper 5 cm of soil, except for P. Most cicada feeding cells were located in the AB horizon at depths of 7 to 36 cm.