Summary
The soil fauna of a mull beech forest on lime-stone in southern Lower Saxony (West Germany) was sampled quantitatively. Biomass estimates, trophic characteristics, and measurement and calculation of the energetic parameters of the constituent animal populations were used to construct an energy budget of the total heterotrophic subsystem of the forest. Mean annual zoomass amounted to about 15 g d wt m−2; earthworms (about 10 g d wt m−2) and other groups of the macrofauna were dominant. Protozoa constituted about 1.5 g d wt m−2. Relative distribution of zoomass among the trophic categories was 50% macrosaprophages, 30% microsaprophages, 12% microphytophages, and 4% zoophages. Total annual consumption rate of the saprophagous and microphytophagous soil fauna (6328 and 4096 kJ m−2 yr−1, respectively) was of the same order of magnitude as annual litter fall (canopy leaves 6124 kJ m−2 yr−1, flowers and fruits 944 kJ m−2 yr−1, herbs 1839 kJ m−2 yr−1, fine woody material 870 kJ m−2 yr−1, tree roots 3404 kJ m−2 yr−1, without coarse woody litter). Primary decomposers (macrosaprophages) were the key group for litter comminution and translocation onto and into the soil, thus contributing to the high decomposition rate (k=0.8) for leaf litter. Consumption rates of the other trophic groups were (values as kJ m−2 yr−1): bacteriophages 2954, micromycophages 416, zoophages 153. Grazing pressure of macrophytophages (including rhizophages) was low. Faeces input from the canopy layer was not significant. Grazing pressure on soil microflora almost equalled microbial biomass; hence, a large fraction of microbial production is channelled into the animal component. Predator pressure on soil animals is high, as a comparison between consumption rates by zoophages and production by potential prey — mainly microsaprophages, microphytophages and zoophages — demonstrated. Soil animals contributed only about 11% to heterotrophic respiration. However, there is evidence that animals are important driving variables for matter and energy transfer: key processes are the transformation of dead organic material and grazing on the microflora. It is hypothesized that the soil macrosaprophages are donor-limited.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Alexander M (1977) An introduction to soil microbiology. 2nd ed. Wiley, New York, Santa Barbara
Allen SE, Grimshaw HM, Parkinson JA, Quarmby C (1974) Chemical analysis of ecological materials, Blackwell, Oxford London
Anderson JM (1987) Interactions between invertebrates and microorganisms: noise or necessity for soil processes? In: Fletcher M, Gray TRG, Jones JG (eds) Ecology of microbial communities. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp 125–145
Anderson JPE, Domsch KH (1978) A physiological method for the quantitative measurement of microbial biomass in soil. Soil Biol Biochem 17: 197–203
Andres E (1984) Kohlenstoff-Umsatz und-Bilanz des Bodens eines Buchenwald-Ökosystems auf Kalkgestein. Gött bodenkundl Ber 80: 1–174
Axelsson B, Lohm U, Persson P (1984) Enchytraeids, lumbricids and soil arthropods in a northern deciduous woodland — a quantitative study. Holarct Ecol 7: 91–103
Büttner V (1988) Untersuchungen zur Ökologie der Nematoden eines Kalkbuchenwaldes. Thesis, Göttingen
Corsmann M (1981) Untersuchungen zur Ökologie der Schnecken (Gastropoda) cines Kalkbuchenwaldes: Populationsdichte, Phänologie und kleinräumige Verteilung. Drosera 81: 75–92
Crawley MJ (1983) Herbivory: the dynamics of animal-plant interactions. Blackwell, Oxford London
DeAngelis DL, Gardner RH, Shugart HH (1981) Productivity of forest ecosystems studied during IBP: the woodland data set. In: Reichle DE (ed) Dynamic properties of forest ecosystems. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp 567–672
Dierschke H (1989) Kleinräumige Vegetationsstruktur und phänologischer Rhythmus eines Kalkbuchenwaldes. Verh Ges Ökol 17 (in press)
Dierschke H, Song Y (1982) Vegetationsgliederung und kleinräumige Horizontalstruktur eines submontanen Kalkbuchenwaldes. In: Dierschke H (ed) Struktur und Dynamik von Wäldern. Berichte der internationalen Symposien der Internationalen Vereinigung für Vegetationskunde, Rinteln 1981. Cramer, Vaduz, pp 513–539
Edwards NT, Shugart HH, McLaughlin SB, Harris WF, Reichle DE (1981) Carbon metabolism in terrestrial ecosystems. In: Reichle DE (ed) Dynamic properties of forest ecosystems. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp 499–536
Ellenberg H, Mayer R, Schauermann J (1986) Ökosystemforschung. Ergebnisse des Sollingprojekts 1966–1986. Ulmer, Stuttgart
Foissner W (1987) Soil Protozoa: Fundamental problems, ecological significance, adaptations in ciliates and testaceans, bioindicators, and guide to literature. Progr Protist 2: 69–212
Funke W (1971) Food and energy turnover of leaf-eating insects and their influence on primary production. Ecol Studies 2: 81–93
Grimm R, Funke W (1986) Energieflüsse durch die Populationen der Tiere. In: Ellenberg H, Mayer R, Schauermann J (eds) Ökosystemforschung. Ergebnisse des Sollingprojekts 1966–1986, Ulmer, Stuttgart, pp 337–355
Heal OW, MacLean SF (1975) Comparative productivity in ecosystems — secondary productivity. In: van Dobben WH, Lowe-McConnell RH (eds) Unifying concepts in ecology. Junk, Pudoc, The Hague, Wageningen, pp 89–108
Hövemeyer K (1984) Die Dipterengemeinschaft eines Buchenwaldes auf Kalkgestein: Produktion and Imagines. Abundanz und räumliche Verteilung insbesondere der Larven. Pedobiologia 26: 1–15
Hövemeyer K (1985) Die Zweiflügler eines Kalkbuchenwaldes: Lebenszyklen, Raum-Zeit-Muster und Nahrungsbiologie. Thesis, Göttingen
Humphreys WF (1979) Production and respiration in animal populations. J Anim Ecol 48: 427–453
Jörgensen RG (1987) Flüsse, Umsatz und Haushalt der postmortalen organischen Substanz und ihrer Stoffgruppen in Streudecke und Bodenkörper eines Buchenwald-Ökosystems auf Kalkgestein. Gött bodenkundl Bér 91: 1–409
Judas M (1989a) Populationsökologie der Regenwürmer (Lumbricidae) in einem Kalkbuchenwald: Abundanzdynamik und Bedeutung von Nahrungsressourcen. Thesis, Göttingen
Judas M (1989b) Predator-pressure on earthworms in a beechwood: field experiments and a review of potential impact. Pedobiologia 33: 339–354
Judas M, Poser K, Joger HG, Schaefer M (1989) Langfristige Populationsdynamik der Regenwürmer (Lumbricidae) eines Kalkbuchenwaldes. Verh Ges Ökol (in press)
Kjoller A, Struwe S (1982) Microfungi in ecosystems: fungal occurrence and activity in litter and soil. Oikos 39: 389–422
Larcher W (1984) Ökologie der Pflanzen. 4th ed. Ulmer, Stuttgart
Luxton M (1972) Studies on the oribatid mites of a Danish beech wood soil. Pedobiologia 12: 434–463
Luxton M (1979) Food and energy processing by oribatid mites. Rev Ecol Biol Sol 16: 103–111
Martius C (1986) Die Laufkäferfauna (Coleoptera: Carabidae) eines Kalkbuchenwaldes. Drosera '86: 1–11
McBrayer JF (1977) Contributions of cryptozoa to forest nutrient cycles. In: Mattson WJ (ed) The role of arthropods in forest ecosystems. Springer, New York Heidelberg, pp 70–77
McNeill S, Lawton JH (1970) Annual production and respiration in animal populations. Nature 225: 472–474
Meistefeld R (1989) Die Bedeutung der Protozoen im Kohlenstoffhaushalt eines Kalkbuchenwaldes. Verh Ges Ökol 17 (in press)
Meiwes KJ, Beese F (1988) Ergebnisse der Untersuchung des Stoffhaushaltes eines Buchenwaldökosystems auf Kalkgestein. Ber Forschungszentrum Waldökosysteme B 9: 1–141
Mellin A (1988) Untersuchungen zur Autökologie und Funktion von Enchytraeiden, Tubificiden und Aeolosomatiden (Annelida, Oligochaeta) im Ökosystem Kalkbuchenwald. Thesis, Göttingen
Odum EP (1971) Fundamentals of ecology. 3rd ed. Saunders, Philadelphia
O'Neill RV, DeAngelis DL, Waide JB, Allen TFH (1986) A hierarchical concept of ecosystems. Princeton University Press, Princeton
O'Neill RV, Reichle DE (1979) Dimensions of ecosystem theory. In: Waring RH (ed) Forests: Fresh perspectives from ecosystem analysis. Oregon State University Press, Corvallis, pp 11–25
Pellinen P (1986) Biomasseuntersuchung im Kalkbuchenwald. Thesis, Göttingen
Persson T, Bååth E, Clarholm M, Lundkvist H, Söderström BE, Sohlenius B (1980) Trophic structure, biomass dynamics and carbon metabolism of soil organisms in a Scots pine forest. In: Persson T (ed) Structure and function of northern coniferous forests. Ecological Bulletins 32, Stockholm, pp 419–459
Persson T, Lohm U (1977) Energetical significance of the annelids and arthropods in a Swedish grassland soil. Ecological Bulletins 23, Stockholm
Petersen H, Luxton M (1982) A comparative analysis of soil fauna populations and their role in decomposition processes. Oikos 39: 287–388
Petrusewicz K, MacFadyen A (1970) Productivity of terrestrial animals. Principles and methods. IBP Handbook 13, Blackwell, Oxford Edinburgh
Poser T (1988) Chilopoden als Prädatoren in einem Laubwald. Pedobiologia 31: 261–281
Reichle DE (1977) The role of soil invertebrates in nutrient cycling. In: Lohm U, Persson T (eds) Soil organisms as components of ecosystems. Ecological Bulletins 25. NFR, Stockholm, pp 145–156
Sayer M (1989) Zur Nahrungsbiologie der Kleinsäuger im Kalkbuchenwald. Verh Ges Ökol 17 (in press)
Schaefer M (1983) Kurzflügler (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) als Teil des Ökosystems “Kalkbuchenwald”. Verh Ges Ökol 11: 361–372
Schaefer M (1989a) Die Bodentiere eines Kalkbuchenwaldes: ein Ökosystemforschungsprojekt. Verh Ges Ökol 17 (in press)
Schaefer M (1989b) The animal community: diversity and resources. In: Röhrig E, Ulrich B (eds) Temperature deciduous forests (Ecosystems of the world). Elsevier, Amsterdam (in press)
Schaefer M (1989c) Animals in European temperate deciduous forests. In: Röhrig E, Ulrich B (eds) Temperate deciduous forests (Ecosystems of the world) Elsevier, Amsterdam (in press)
Schaefer M (1989d) Ecosystem processes: secondary production and decomposition. In: Röhrig E, Ulrich B (eds) Temperature deciduous forests (Ecosystems of the world). Elsevier, Amsterdam (in press)
Schaefer M, Schauermann J (1989) The soil fauna of beech forests: comparison between a mull and a moder soil. Manuscript submitted
Scheu S (1987a) The influence of earthworms (Lumbricidae) on the nitrogen dynamics in the soil litter system of a deciduous forest. Oecologia 72: 197–201
Scheu S (1987b) Microbial activity and nutrient dynamics in earthworm casts (Lumbricidae). Oecologia 72: 230–234
Schmidt W, Eggert A, Hartmann T, Kothe G, Schultz R (1989) Jahresrhythmus und Produktion der Krautschicht in einem Kalkbuchenwald. Verh Ges Ökol 17 (in press)
Slansky F, Rodriguez JG (1987) Nutritional ecology of insects, mites, spiders and related invertebrates. Wiley, New York Chichester
Sprengel T (1986) Die Doppelfüßer (Diplopoda) eines Kalkbuchenwaldes und ihre Funktion beim Abbau der Laubstreu. Thesis, Göttingen
Stippich G (1986) Die Spinnenfauna (Arachnida: Araneida) eines Kalkbuchenwaldes: Bedeutung von Habitatstruktur und Nahrung. Thesis Göttingen
Strüve-Krusenberg R (1987) Die Asseln eines Kalkbuchenwaldes: Populationsökologie und Nahrungsbiologie. Thesis, Göttingen
Strüve-Kusenberg R (1989) Zur Nahrungsbiologie der Asseln (Isopoda) eines Kalkbuchenwaldes. Verh Ges Ökol 17 (in press)
Swift MJ, Heal OW, Anderson JM (1979) Decomposition in terrestrial ecosystems. Studies in Biology 5. Blackwell, Oxford London
Ulrich W (1987) Wirtsbeziehungen der parasitoiden Hautflügler in einem Kalkbuchenwald (Hymenoptera). Zool Jahrb Abt Syst Oekol Geogr Tiere 114: 303–342
Vogt KA, Grier CC, Vogt DJ (1986) Production, turnover, and nutrient dynamics of above- and belowground detritus of world forests. Adv Ecol Res 15: 303–377
Wagner B, Schaefer M (1989) Rüsselkäfer und Blattkäfer (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Chrysomelidae) als Phytophage in einem Kalkbuchenwald Verh Ges Ökol (in press)
Wallwork JA (1976) The distribution and diversity of soil fauna. Academic Press, London New York San Francisco
Wiegert RG, Petersen CE (1983) Energy transfer in insects. Annu Rev Entomol 28: 455–486
Wieser W (1986) Bioenergetik. Energietransformationen bei Organismen. Thieme, Stuttgart New York
Winter K (1985) Über die Rolle phytophager Insekten in Buchenwäldern. Forst- Holzwirt 40: 93–99
Wolters V (1983) Ökologische Untersuchungen an Collembolen eines Buchenwaldes auf Kalk. Pedobiologia 25: 73–85
Wolters V (1985) Untersuchungen zur Habitatbindung und Nahrungsbiologie der Springschwänze (Collembola) eines Laubwaldes unter besonderer Berücksichtigung ihrer Funktion in der Zersetzerkette. Thesis, Göttingen
Wolters V (1988) Effects of Mesenchytraeus glandulosus (Oligochaeta, Enchytraeidae) on decomposition processes. Pedobiologia 32: 387–398
Wolters V (1989) The influence of omnivorous elaterid larvae on the microbial carbon cycle in different forest soils. Oecologia 80: 405–413
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Schaefer, M. The soil fauna of a beech forest on limestone: trophic structure and energy budget. Oecologia 82, 128–136 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00318544
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00318544