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Environmental role of different‐aged pine and oak stands growing on post‐agricultural and forest lands in forming the Mesostigmata mites communities
AbstractReclamation of agricultural soil and forest succession after afforestation proceeds slowly and at many levels. Therefore, the history of land use is recorded in the soil's physical, chemical and ecological parameters for many decades. This process depends on time and the form of afforestation, which primarily includes tree species. In our study, we analyzed differences in the physical and chemical characteristics of pine and oak stands on forest and post‐agricultural land at 22, 42 and 62 y/o. Our study revealed that 14 of 24 examined parameters (litter pH, soil pH, litter thickness, soil organic matter, Corg, bulk density, C/N ratio, soil moisture, soil K, Mg and Mn content, N and Ca litter content, Mg litter content) differed significantly among examined habitats (land use, stand age and tree species). We calculated the abundance, species richness and diversity of the mite communities (Acari, Mesostigmata) for each habitat type. In total, 6730 mites were classified into 72 taxa (60 species, 11 genera and one taxon as family). The highest abundance was recorded in 42 y/o. oak stands on post‐agricultural land, while the lowest is in 22 y/o. pine and oak stands on post‐agricultural land. The highest species richness and diversity were recorded in the oldest oak stand on post‐agricultural land. In contrast, the lowest diversity was recorded in the youngest oak and pine stands on post‐agricultural land. Our results demonstrate that the negative impact of the agricultural history of land use weakens over time and provides a better understanding of land use history on the relations between the soil environment and soil fauna, including mesostigmatid mite assemblages.
Impact of land use history and soil properties on soil mite communities (Acari, Mesostigmata) inhabiting stands growing on post‐agricultural land
AbstractDecades of agriculture in a former—type of ecosystem, for example, deciduous forests—result in severe habitat degradation. The planted tree species encounter harsh conditions due to physically and chemically transformed soil environments. In addition, afforestation itself significantly modifies the upper soil horizons. It may impact the soil fauna communities, including mites from the Mesostigmata order (Mesostigmata = Gamasida). Due to their sensitivity, mesostigmatid mites are good bioindicators of changes in the soil. A decrease in the density, species richness, and diversity of mites indicates disturbances in the soil environment and may confirm the impact of agricultural practice on the soil environment. Our research aim was to examine the impact of soil properties and land use history on the mesostigmatid mite communities in stands growing on forest and post‐agricultural lands. These sites were afforested with different tree species (Betula pendula Roth., Fagus sylvatica L., Pinus sylvestris L., and Quercus robur L.). Thus, 21 research plots were established on forest and post‐agricultural land, each on rusty soils considered to be one of the most common in Central European forests. We collected a total of 567 soil samples during three sampling sessions in spring and autumn for soil Mesostigmata investigation. We also described the soil profile on each plot and collected soil and litter samples to measure pH, litter thickness, soil organic matter, bulk density, soil moisture, soil organic carbon, and elements content. Our study revealed that 16 out of 30 environmental parameters differed between habitat types. A total of 1355 mites were classified into 58 taxa (50 species and 8 genera). The most numerous species were Veigaia nemorensis (165 ind.; 12.2% of all mesostigmatid mites), Zercon peltatus (156; 11.5%), and Paragamasus conus (141; 10.4%). The highest abundance was recorded in birch stands on forest land, whereas the lowest abundance for oak stands growing on post‐agricultural land. Interestingly, in oak stands we recorded both the highest diversity of mite communities (forest land) and the lowest on post‐agricultural land. Furthermore, our study showed that post‐agricultural land and Na content in forest litter affected the abundance, species richness, and diversity of mesostigmatid mite communities. Species richness was additionally affected by tree species, that is, pine and oak. Our research indicated that long‐term agricultural practice negatively affected the density, species richness, and diversity of Mesostigmata communities 20 years after afforestation.