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regular research paper |
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The effect of shelterbelts
on litter decomposition and fauna of adjacent fields: in situ experiment |
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Maciej Szanser |
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Centre
for Ecological Research, PAS, Dziekanów Leśny, 05-092 Łomianki, Poland e-mail:
cbe@cbe-pan.pl |
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Abstract:
The effect of mid-field
shelterbelts on litter decomposition and the numbers and biomass of litter
inhabiting invertebrate macrofauna was evaluated. The question was how far
into the fields such an effect could reach. To answer this question an
experiment was set up, in which a uniform substratum (sand and loam) was laid
out inside the metal frames dug in the earth. Litter of cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata) was laid out on
these substrates. Samples were taken from the middle of a seven years old
wood strip (S) and along the transect i.e. in the ecotone from its wooded side (ES), from its
field side (EF) and in the field 10 (F10) and 50 (F50)
meters far from the shelterbelt. Decomposition rate of litter was retarded
with increasing distance from the shelterbelt. Biomass of the litter dwelling
macrofauna was lower in the field as compared to the shelterbelt and
ecotones. Input of dead invertebrate mass to the soil under litter decreased
also from the shelterbelt towards the field center.
At the end of the experiment dead invertebrate biomass contributed to 24% of
the total (dead and alive) of animal biomass
in the transect. Average contribution of predators to the total animal
biomass was the highest in the field ecotone (EF – 79%) and the
lowest in the field site F50 (56%). A significant negative
relationship was found between the density and biomass of predators
(Carabidae) and the density and biomass of their potential prey (larvae of
Diptera and Collembola) along the whole transect. |
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Key words: shelterbelt,
ecotone, field, litter, invertebrate remains, biomass, density, fauna |