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Applications of microarthropod life-history tactics in nature management and ecotoxicology

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Abstract

Examples of the practical use of microarthropod life-history tactics in nature management and ecotoxicology were selected. A key to the tactics was developed to facilitate the use of the life-history tactics. Examples of the microarthropod distribution over these tacties were selected from a forest, a grassland, and a salt marsh. The process of decomposition of grass leaves in litterbags was described using life-history tactic diagrams. The effects of various disturbances were described in terms of shifts in the distribution of life-history tactics of species. Irregular unpredictable disturbances lead to an increased representation of phoresy tactics. Regular disturbances lead to an increased representation of synchronization tactics. Permanent and persistent pollution, finally, leads to an increased representation of tactics with thelytokous reproduction. The consequences of the latter for ecotoxicology were examined. It was concluded that microarthropod life-history tactics meet the criteria described, permitting comparisons between effects of management measures and pollution in different biotopes and countries.

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  1. Institute for Forestry and Nature Research (IBN-DLO), P.O. Box 23, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands

    Henk Siepel

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Siepel, H. Applications of microarthropod life-history tactics in nature management and ecotoxicology. Biol Fertil Soils 19, 75–83 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00336351

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