Predatory mite instars (Acari, Mesostigmata) and decomposing tree leaves in mixed and monoculture stands growing on a spoil heap and surrounding forests

Abstract

In the past, ecological research mainly omitted the sexual and developmental variability of mite communities, and therefore could not fully reflect the actual state and function of mite communities in the ecosystems studied. The aim here was to analyze how habitat conditions (mixed vs. monoculture stands) and single-species litter of 14 tree species (in mixed stands) affect the sex and developmental stages of Mesostigmata mites living on the decomposing litter. The research was conducted in 2011–2016, at the Bełchatów Lignite Mine external spoil heap (Central Poland) in mixed stands growing on the spoil heap, as well as in pine and birch monoculture stands growing on the spoil heap and an adjacent forest area. We found significant influences of habitat on females, males and juveniles. Additionally, we found that soil mean temperature had a significant effect on males and juveniles, but not on females. Moreover, despite the insignificant influence of litter species on mite communities, we found that percentage litter mass loss significantly affected female and juvenile mites. Taking into account habitat type, the percentage litter mass loss significantly affected female and male mites, but not juveniles. The mite abundance calculated per dry litter mass usually gradually increased during decomposition. Interestingly, the highest mean female, male and juvenile abundances were recorded in birch stands growing on the adjacent forest area; however, juvenile mites were also very numerous in mixed stands on spoil heap. Therefore, our results confirm that mixed stands on post-mining areas are a potentially better habitat for development of mesostigmatid communities compared to monocultures, among others by relatively higher humidity and lower temperatures.

Soil mite communities structure (Acari, Mesostigmata) during litter decomposition of seven tree species in pure Scots pine stands (Pinus sylvestrisL.) growing on a reclaimed post‐industrial area

“…Due to complex soil trophic interactions, this could be reflected in the succession ratio of edaphic organisms located at the higher trophic levels, and also in the rapid increases in abundance, species richness, and diversity of soil predatory mites (Polis & Strong, 1996; Salmane & Brumelis, 2008; Urbanowski et al, 2018). The rapid increase in abundance of mite assemblages may result from appropriate microhabitat conditions, that is, high humidity, soil pH, or lower temperature of the topsoil (Huhta & Hänninen, 2001; Manu et al, 2018), as well as food capacity (Polis & Strong, 1996; Urbanowski et al, 2021b). Therefore, some recorded mesostigmatid mite species (for example, Dendrolaelaps angulosus , D. rotundus , or Trachytes aegrota ) may respond to optimal microhabitat conditions by increasing reproduction (Polis & Strong, 1996), and thus by a higher number of mite juveniles.…”

“…Mite assemblages are taxonomically homogeneous, occur in large number per unit area and characterized by difficult, low rates of movement over greater distances. Therefore, they are considered to lead a relatively sedentary lifestyle (Skorupski et al, 2013; Urbanowski et al, 2021b). Thanks to that, they have often been used as good bioindicators that faithfully reflect the state and changes in the environment (Beaulieu & Weeks, 2007; Madej, 2004), including on degraded post‐mining areas submitted to reclamation.…”

“…Standard characteristics of well‐developed soils disappear, for example, the structure of soil profiles, air‐water conditions (Sako et al, 2018), or the proper amount of organic matter (Horodecki et al, 2015). However, these areas can be a potential habitat for many species of vascular plants and bryophytes (Rawlik et al, 2021; Rawlik, Kasprowicz, & Jagodziński, 2018), fungi (Kałucka et al, 2016; Kałucka & Jagodziński, 2016), and animals (Camizuli et al, 2018; Frouz, 2008), including mites (Madej & Skubała, 1996; Murvanidze et al, 2013; Pastwik et al, 2013; Piasta et al, 2015; Skorupski et al, 2013; Urbanowski et al, 2018, 2021a, 2021b).…”

“…The availability of food has a decisive impact on the proper development of soil organisms, including those located at the end sections of the soil trophic chains (Beaulieu & Weeks, 2007; Polis & Strong, 1996; Urbanowski et al, 2021b). Mesostigmatid mites feed primarily on herbivorous, fungivorous, and saprophagous organisms (Koehler, 1999; Skorupski et al, 2013; Wissuwa et al, 2012), which may be directly dependent on fallen litter features (Fujii & Takeda, 2017; Kamczyc et al, 2019; Urbanowski et al, 2018).…”

“…foreign), often due to soil biota communities well adapted to specific litter quality (Freschet et al, 2012; Kamczyc et al, 2019; St. John et al, 2011). Moreover, soil fauna communities may differ significantly not only within the studied litter, but also time and decomposition ratio may have a key effect on edaphic fauna (Gergócs & Hufnagel, 2016; Kamczyc et al, 2019; Urbanowski et al, 2021b). All this suggests that the influence of litter on soil fauna community features may be very specific and diverse during ongoing litter decomposition.…”