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Effects of aphid infestation on the biogeochemistry of the water routed through European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) saplings

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Abstract

Mass outbreaks of herbivore insects perturb the functional properties of forests, by substantially altering water and nutrient cycling of infested trees. Less clear is how low to moderate herbivory affects the vertical flow of nutrients from trees to the soil. We report on the effects of low to moderate infestation levels of the woolly beech aphid (Phyllaphis fagi L.) on the nutrient dynamics and hydrology of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.). We traced the vertical dynamics of macro and micronutrients via throughfall (TF), stemflow (SF) and Oa litter leachates from potted saplings underneath infested and uninfested control trees. The low infestation levels were insufficient to significantly alter TF and litter leachate composition, although, on average, the release of K and DOC and the immobilization of N (NH4–N) in TF solution were more pronounced under aphid infestation. SF chemistry was significantly altered by aphid activity exhibiting intensified fluxes of K (+159 %), Mg (+82 %), Mn (+93 %), S (+86 %), SO4–S (+62 %), DOS (+137 %), DOC (+51 %) and DON (+62 %), compared to control trees. SF is likely enriched by low and mid-level aphid activity due to its increased residence time in the canopy. It has interaction with large areas of aboveground vegetative surface area representing a cumulative flux of solutes and particulates from both foliar and woody surfaces from above-lying portions of the canopy. Accordingly, SF might be a useful indicator to evaluate the impact of sap- and leaf-feeding herbivores on forest ecosystems.

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Acknowledgments

The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation is acknowledged for its funding of this work through a fellowship award to D. Levia to work with B. Michalzik at the Friedrich Schiller University of Jena. Ms. H. Garlipp (Otto-Schott Institute of Material Sciences) is thanked for the scanning electron microscopy work. Dr. G. Ilgen (Bayreuth Center of Ecology and Environmental Research, BayCEER) and Ms. B. Dreßler (Institute for Geography, University of Jena) are graciously recognized for the analysis of NH4, NO3, PO4 and for ICP-OES analyses, respectively. We also gratefully acknowledge helpful suggestions and valuable comments by two anonymous reviewers.

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    Authors and Affiliations

    1. Institute of Geography, Friedrich Schiller University of Jena, 07743, Jena, Germany

      Beate Michalzik, Sebastian Bischoff & Kerstin Näthe

    2. Departments of Geography and Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, 19716, USA

      Delphis F. Levia

    3. University of Wuppertal, Wuppertal, Germany

      Susanne Richter

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    1. Beate Michalzik
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    2. Delphis F. Levia
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    Correspondence to Beate Michalzik.

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    Beate Michalzik and Delphis F. Levia have contributed equally to this work.

    Responsible Editor: Jan Mulder.

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    Michalzik, B., Levia, D.F., Bischoff, S. et al. Effects of aphid infestation on the biogeochemistry of the water routed through European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) saplings. Biogeochemistry 129, 197–214 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10533-016-0228-2

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