Influence of soil properties on millipede (Diplopoda) communities in forest stands of various tree species

Abstract

Although millipedes are faunistically among the best studied groups of edaphon in Europe, there is still a lack of available information on the ecological requirements of particular species. Habitat preferences that determine the distribution of species are largely controlled by soil properties, habitat structure and microclimate. In forests, habitat features are predominantly driven by the properties of woody tree species. Millipedes, like other saprophages, are influenced by the characteristics of litter and soil. However, the effect of tree species on millipede communities has not been investigated in forest stands consisting of several autochthonous or allochthonous tree species. Our study examines the effect of soil properties related to several autochthonous and allochthonous tree species on millipede communities. The research was carried out at 9 stands in the Arboretum Mlyňany (western Slovakia). Each stand represents a monoculture of one of 9 tree species: 4 autochthonous species (Picea abies, Taxus baccata, Quercus cerris, and Carpinus betulus) and 5 allochthonous species (Picea orientalis, Pinus nigra, Pinus ponderosa, Thuja occidentalis, and Castanea sativa). The results of this research confirmed relationships between (1) the soil pH and the total activity-density of millipedes, (2) the soil pH and the structure of the millipede communities, (3) the soil conductivity and the structure of the millipede communities, and (4) the leaf litter pH and the equitability of the millipede communities. In terms of the total activity-density and species richness of the millipedes, forest stands with autochthonous tree species provided more favourable conditions for millipedes than forest stands with allochthonous tree species. Millipedes achieved high abundance and diversity in these stands and can therefore contribute to the faster decomposition of dead organic matter and nutrient recycling in forest ecosystems.