Abstract
The paper presents a study about the influence of two saprophage groups (Isopoda, Diplopoda) on leaf litter decomposition under different levels of humidification and chemical stress. Because of their worldwide distribution, we focused on the common pillbug Armadillidium vulgare (Latreille, 1804) (Isopoda, Armadillidiidae), and the common millipede species Rossiulus kessleri (Lohmander, 1927) (Julida, Julidae). The function of environment creation by the given saprophages, as destructors of dead plant matter, supporting such ecosystem services as soil fertility improvement and nutrients’ turnover, is highlighted. To conduct the experiment, the animals were collected manually and using pitfall trapping. In order to bring the experimental conditions closer to the natural, the individuals were not sexed. The maximum consumption of leaf litter by woodlice was recorded in the conditions with adequate moisture (0.5 mL of distilled water per box) and amounted to 2.52 mg/10 individuals per day, which exceeds its consumption with low and increased moisture, respectively, by 1.82 and 1.24 times. As for the effect of interaction, the consumption of maple litter with optimal moisture (4.77 mg/10 individuals per day) was the greatest. The largest absolute difference between broad-leaved tree species in the average weight of leaf litter consumed by woodlice was between maple leaf litter and oak leaf litter, the minimum – between robinia leaf litter and oak leaf litter. According to the results of the obtained data (Diplopoda), it can be stated that there is a statistically significant effect of chemical stress and discrepancy of the average zinc content in the object of study (in Diplopoda and their faecal pellets). We found that the diet provided did not affect the distribution of zinc in Diplopoda under conditions of chemical stress. According to the results of pairwise comparisons, we determined that the zinc content in the Diplopoda clearly differs for control and almost every concentration of zinc sulfate solution – 0.03 and 0.15 g/L, the samples of which do not form a homogeneous group. The species composition, abundance and distribution in space of soil invertebrates are informative indicators which reflect the ecological state of soils, intensity in development of soil horizons as well as intensity of processes occurring in them.
Highlights
Anthropogenic influence disturbs the ability of nature acquired in the process of evolution to self-regulate
We conducted laboratory research on the trophic activity of A. vulgare depending on trophic base and moistening (Table 1), and on the zinc accumulation pattern of R. kessleri specimens depending on food resources and chemical stress (Table 2)
We evaluated the level of realization by A. vulgare of its main ecological function, participation in leaf litter transformation and decomposition under various moisture conditions
Summary
Anthropogenic influence disturbs the ability of nature acquired in the process of evolution to self-regulate. One of the natural mechanisms of the initiation of restoration of disturbed soils is the activity of saprophages in the transformation of the organic matter, for example such ecosystem engineers as representatives of Isopoda (Didur et al, 2017; Spaldonova & Frouz, 2019; Yang et al, 2020) and Diplopoda (Jones et al, 1997; Pakhomov et al, 2009; Brygadyrenko & Ivanyshyn, 2015; Pokhylenko et al, 2018) These saprophages have a positive effect on maintaining and improving the properties of natural soils. Woodlice produce faecal pellets which decompose rapidly, and, in large amounts provide a significant source of soil fertility, allowing essential nutrients for plants to return (Striganova, 1980; Paoletti & Hassal, 1999; Quadros & Araujo, 2008; Leclercq-Dransart et al, 2019) This natural mechanism positively influences the sustenance and improvement of properties of natural soils. Terrestrial isopods utilize more than 10% of the annual litter, causing a four-fold increase in the surface available to microorganisms
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