Humus forms in terrestrial ecosystems: a framework to biodiversity

Ponge, Jean‐François

doi:10.1016/s0038-0717(03)00149-4

Cited by 306 publications

(271 citation statements)

References 112 publications

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“…We may thus suggest that mull humus release more efficiently N than moder humus during decomposition and that the passage of nitrogen from plant biomass to animal biomass is faster in mull than in moder. This is in accordance with ideas developed by Staaf (1987), Schaefer and Schauermann (1990) and Ponge (2003) on the faster circulation of nutrients in mull humus compared to moder humus.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

Origin of the nitrogen assimilated by soil fauna living in decomposing beech litter

Caner

Zeller

Dambrine

et al. 2004

Soil Biology and Biochemistry

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We investigated the nitrogen source for main taxa of soil fauna in two beech forests of contrasted humus type using 15 N-labelled beech litter and 15 N analysis of soil fauna. 15 Nlabelled beech litter was deposited on the topsoil in December 2000 in four stands of different ages at Leinefelde (Germany) with mull humus and in one mature stand at Sorø (Denmark) with moder humus. The fate of the tracer isotope was measured in litter and soil, as well as in the soil fauna, and for each taxa, we calculated the proportion of N in the animal derived from the labelled substrate. Of the original N contained in the litter, 20% to 41% was lost after 9 months at Leinefelde, and only 10% at Sorø. This loss was counterbalanced by the incorporation of 24% to 31% external N at Leinefelde, and 31% at Sorø, partly originating from fungal colonisation of the added litter. The proportion of N assimilated from the labelled litter by the different soil animals varied in relation to their mobility and feeding preferences.Large and mobile soil animals, especially predators, derived on average less 15 N because they were also able to feed outside the labelled litter boxes. Detritivores assimilated at most 15% of their nitrogen content at Leinefelde and 11% at Sorø from the decomposing labelled litter.The most labelled taxa at Leinefelde were small fungivorous and coprophagous species, mainly isotomid Collembola such as Isotomiella and Folsomia. At Sorø, best labelled taxa were saprophagous species such as Enchytraeidae, Glomeridae and Phthiracaroidea. These low rates of 15 N assimilation indicate that fresh litter is not directly the main N source for soil animals. The results obtained suggest that soil fauna fed preferentially upon microorganisms colonising the litter at Leinefelde (mull) and from litter itself at Sorø (moder).

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

Origin of the nitrogen assimilated by soil fauna living in decomposing beech litter

Caner

Zeller

Dambrine

et al. 2004

Soil Biology and Biochemistry

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“…The humus form is the seat of feed-back interactions, within the topsoil of a given local ecosystem, among roots, animals and associated biodegrader communities (Ehrenfeld et al, 2005). Changing the ecological frame (climate, parent material, human pressure, history…), the system evolves consequently into new biocenoses characterized by adapted humus forms (Ponge, 2003). The soil as carbon sink will be better understood if the spatial distribution of humus forms is taken into consideration when sampling the area (Sartori et al, 2004).…”

Section: Prospects For the Use Of The European Classification Of Humumentioning

confidence: 99%

A European morpho-functional classification of humus forms

Zanella¹,

Jabiol²,

Ponge³

et al. 2011

Geoderma

149

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In Europe an abundance of humus taxonomies exists starting with early approaches in the late 19th century. Frequently used in an international context, they do not cover all site conditions in the European area. Although having basic concepts and general lines, the European (and North American, Canadian) classification systems differ in important parameters used for the description and classification of humus forms. These discrepancies result in incongruities, so they require adjustments when exchanging partially compatible soil data, even between nearby countries. In 2003, 26 European specialists in humus forms met in Trento (Italy) and decided to formulate rules of classification based on morphogenetic descriptions and diagnostic horizons, adapted to European ecological conditions. Taking into account old and new European and North American systems of humus forms classification, six main references (Anmoor, Mull, Moder, Mor, Amphi and Tangel) were defined, each of them further divided into more detailed categories. This inventory assigned a strong discriminatory power to the action of soil animals. Both semiterrestrial (anoxic) and terrestrial (aerated) topsoils were classified. Descriptors of diagnostic horizons were conceived in accordance with recent international soil classifications. Assigning an "ecological value" to each main humus form along a gradient from biologically active forms, degrading and incorporating all organic remains, to those characterized by the accumulation of poorly transformed organic matter, this European system of classification avoids a strong hierarchical structure and allows a flexible approach open to additional ecological contributions and renditions.2

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“…There is a strong interaction between ecosystem function, organismal abundance and diversity and the nature of humus forms in soil. Ponge (2003) compared more than 20 ecosystem attributes and the nature of the processes and organisms occurring in mull, moder and mor soils (Table 4; Ponge, 2003). This table is a useful means of comparing many soil attributes across a broad range of physical, chemical and biological traits.…”

Section: Legacies In Soils (Organisms and Substrates)mentioning

confidence: 99%