Responses of diversity and morphometric traits of ground beetles to soil chemical properties in industrial city of China

Abstract

Industrial and agricultural activities result in the direct release of contaminants into soil, which alters and destructs the habitats of soil biota. Clarifying the effects of soil contamination on soil organisms can provide a theoretical basis for the conservation of soil organisms. In this study, 3 nonmetal elements (total C, total N, total P), 5 light metal elements (total K, Ca, Mg, Al, Na), 5 heavy metal elements (Fe, Hg, Pb, Mn, Zn) and soil pH, and 18 morphological traits of carabid species were analysed to explore the responses of spatial variation of species diversity, community composition and morphometric traits to differences of soil chemical properties in four sites (Cement Plant, Coal Coking Plant, Village and Nature Reserve) in Gujiao City, the largest coking coal production city of China. In total, 1095 carabid beetles representing 59 species were recorded, with the greatest richness and activity abundance of ground beetles were found in Cement Plant and the largest species diversity was found in Coal Coking Plant, Nature Reserve contained carabid assemblages distinct from the other three sites. As for species distribution, 14 soil chemical properties could be associated with 43.2% of the observed variation, with soil Zn, N, Ca and Mn being the most important in explaining the spatial variation of the species. Changes in the type of economic activity had a significant influence on the 18 morphometric traits of carabid species, species of Coal Coking Plant and Nature Reserve had larger morphological traits than the other two sites. Variations in morphometric traits showed a significant correlation with soil chemical properties, especially body wide and profemora length, with 14 soil factors explaining more than 60% of their variance. Soil Mg, Mn, total N and pH value contributed the most in explaining morphometric traits variability of ground beetles. In summary, changes in soil chemical properties due to industrial and agricultural activities have led to carabid species diversity, community and morphometric traits changes. Soil health management is prerequisites that contribute to conserve soil biodiversity and function in industrial areas.