length: 236 words 2Number of references: 54 3 Tables and Figures: 3 figures and 1 table 4 5 Supplementary material: 6Appendix S1-5: 3 supplementary tables and 2 supplementary figures 7 5 ABSTRACT 1 Understory herbs and soil invertebrates play key roles in soil formation and nutrient cycling 2 in forests. Studies suggest that diversity in the canopy and in the understory are positively 3 associated, but they often confound the effects of tree diversity with those of tree species 4 identity and abiotic conditions. We combined extensive field sampling with structural 5 equation modeling to evaluate the simultaneous effects of tree diversity on the species 6 diversity of understory herbs, beetles, and earthworms. The diversity of earthworms and 7 saproxylic beetles was directly and positively associated with tree diversity, presumably 8 because species of both these taxa specialize on certain species of trees. Tree identity also 9 strongly affected diversity in the understory, especially for herbs, likely as a result of 10 interspecific differences in canopy light transmittance or litter decomposition rates. Our 11 results suggest that changes in forest management will disproportionately affect certain 12 understory taxa. For instance, changing canopy diversity will affect the diversity of 13 earthworms and saproxylic beetles more than changes in tree species composition, whereas 14 the converse would be expected for understory herbs and detritivorous beetles. We conclude 15 that the effects of tree diversity on understory taxa can vary from positive to neutral and may 16 affect biogeochemical cycling in temperate forests. We recommend to maintain high tree 17 diversity, thereby promoting the diversity of multiple understory taxa, and to reduce the 18 abundance of tree species that may reduce understory diversity. 19 20 21

Assemblages of earthworms were evaluated in spruce and beech stands in the Kienhaida Nature Reserve (Krušné hory Mts., Czech Republic) and its immediate surroundings, where site conditions were modified by the soil preparation for forest regeneration. The beech stands of the reserve showed low diversity but higher earthworm abundance than did the spruce stands, which in turn showed the lowest Lumbricidae abundance (18 individuals·m -2 ).The highest abundance of earthworms (124 individuals·m -2 ) was found in the soil of mounds created 30 years prior to sampling from the organic soil of the A h horizon. The highest species diversity and low abundance were characteristic of areas between the mounds, the soil surface of which was greatly disturbed after removal of the A h horizon to create those mounds. The degree to which the reforested clear-cuts created due to air pollution were overgrown with weeds contributed positively to the diversity and abundance of Lumbricidae.

Kula, E. Švarc, P. 2012: Earthworms (Lumbricidae) from a surface layer and wireworms (Elateridae) of forest stands in the anthropogenically-disturbed area of the Děčínská vrchovina Upland (Czech Republic). -Beskydy, 5 (1): 43-54In the area negatively affected by air pollution in the past, the earthworm assemblages and the occurrence of wireworms (Elateridae) in forest ecosystems were evaluated in relation to site conditions. From soil samples taken in 38 stands (Fagus, Betula, Alnus, Quercus, Pinus, Larix, Abies) earthworms and wireworms were extracted by means of Tullgren funnels. Eudominant species (Dendrobaena vejdovskyi, D. octaedra, D. illyrica) are typical representatives of forest ecosystems of the Ore Mountains. Relationships were proved to a tree species creating a forest stand and the pH of Ah horizon. The area is characterized by the generally low diversity of earthworms particularly in young stands of beech and Norway spruce. Faunistically rich sites occurred only in a mixed stand (birch, mountain ash, larch) and in a blue spruce monoculture. Reduced abundance of earthworms in the organic matter of mounds was surprising.The type/form of soil preparation, forest weed cover and the age of trees did not affect significantly the earthworm assemblages. The abundance of wireworms was increased in pine and larch stands and reduced in alder and blue spruce stands. The increasing pH value negatively affected the abundance of wireworms.