Chapter 3.5 - Mesofauna

Abstract

This chapter discusses mesofauna, which is of great importance for the turnover of organic matter and decomposition processes in soils. These processes also have direct influence on the health and growth of crops and other plant species. Collembola and earthworms contribute to the decomposition of plant residues and fungi at the soil surface and underground. They are an essential part of the endogenous potential of agroecosystems. Strongly influenced by agronomy and the given conditions of the soils, they influence N- and C-turnover in the field. Due to this role, they became the most intensively studied organisms of the mesofauna in the Forschungsverbund Agrarökosysteme München (FAM). Their role in nutrient turnover, their interaction with microbial activities and their impact in the food web have been studied with respect to the redesign of the landscape in Scheyern and to the agricultural practices used. It is necessary to find out which management practices would be most beneficial to the mesofauna in order to keep soil fertility and stability high with regards to sustainable land use. All events increasing the organic matter of the soil, all measures that keep the soil undisturbed and all applications that stabilize pH in a neutral range are important in this respect. These factors are also beneficial for a good diversity and abundance of the soil mesofauna. With view to sustainable management of landscapes, the functional biodiversity of the mesofauna has to be addressed. Reliability studies will have to point out the significance of small-scale lab studies for interpretations on the field.