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Humus forms in two secondary semi-evergreen tropical forests (2003)

Loranger, G. ; Ponge, J. F. ; Lavelle, P.

Oxford, UK : Blackwell Science Ltd

European journal of soil science 54 (2003), S. 0

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ISSN: 1365-2389

Source: Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005

Topics: Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition

Notes: The dynamics and function of humus forms in tropical forests are still poorly understood. Humus profiles in two secondary semi-evergreen woodlands in Guadeloupe (French West Indies) were analysed micromorphologically. The humus forms are described under the canopy of five dominant tree species at two sites: under Pisonia subcordata and Bursera simaruba in a secondary forest on a Leptosol (Rendzina), and under Swietenia macrophylla, Tabebuia heterophylla and B. simaruba in a plantation on a calcareous Vertisol.In the secondary forest, two distinct humus forms were observed. A calcareous Amphimull, characterized by an OH horizon comprising the faecal pellets of millipedes, is formed under the canopy of P. subcordata, which produces a litter that is rich in nitrogen. A Dysmull with a thick root mat (OFRh horizon) develops under the canopy of B. simaruba, which produces a litter rich in lignin and phenol that is consumed slowly by the soil fauna. In the plantation on the Vertisol, the activity of the endoanecic earthworm Polypheretima elongata has led to the rapid disappearance of litter and the mixing of organic and mineral material. The humus form is a Eumull and is similar under all three tree species present.

Type of Medium: Electronic Resource

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2389.2003.00500.x

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Impact of earthworms on the diversity of microarthropods in a vertisol (Martinique) (1998)

Loranger, G. ; Ponge, J. F. ; Blanchart, E. ; [et al.]

Springer

Biology and fertility of soils 27 (1998), S. 21-26

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ISSN: 1432-0789

Keywords: Key words Microarthropods ; Earthworms ; Spatial distribution ; Collembola ; Biodiversity

Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000

Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition

Notes: Abstract In a study of a 15-year-old pasture in Martinique (French West Indies), abundance and organization of microarthropod communities were correlated with the spatial distribution of the earthworm Polypheretima elongata (Megascolecidae). In patches of high earthworm density (133 individuals m–2), microarthropod density was significantly higher (80000 individuals m–2) than in patches with few earthworms (31 worms m–2 and 49000 microarthropods m– 2). The diversity of microarthropod communities followed a similar pattern, the Shannon index for Collembola communities being, respectively, 3.12 and 1.82 in and outside earthworm patches. These results suggest that mesofauna abundance and diversity might be at least partly determined by the activity of larger invertebrates, as a result of the dramatic effects that the latter group exerts upon soil structure, pore distribution and food resources.