Grazing Protection Influences Soil Mesofauna in Ungrazed and Grazed Riparian and Upland Pastures

Miller, Jim J.; Battigelli, Jeffrey P.; Willms, Walter D.

doi:10.2111/rem-d-14-00004.1

Cited by 6 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 56 publications

(73 reference statements)

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“…Studies on predator mite communities from natural grassland ecosystems revealed that mites have been reported as most abundant in soils with low pH values and nitrate concentrations (Hasegawa 2001;Bedano et al 2005;Birkhofer et al 2012;Miller et al 2014). Different studies have shown the relationship between soil mesofauna and nitrate content in grasslands to be very variable, with no, weak negative, strong negative or even positive correlations, depending on land-use type (Jandl et al 2003;Lindberg & Persson 2004;Cole et al 2005;Fountain et al 2008;Birkhofer et al 2012).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The influence of environmental variables on soil mite communities (Acari: Mesostigmata) from overgrazed grassland ecosystems – Romania

Manu

Iordache

Băncilă

et al. 2015

Italian Journal of Zoology

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In 2013-2014, the soil mite communities from six overgrazed grassland ecosystems located in the Trascău Mountains, Romania, were investigated. Forty-six species were identified, with 645 individuals. Some abiotic factors from soil were measured (soil temperature -T, soil water content -H, soil acidity -pH, carbon content -C, total nitrogen -Nt, and C/Nt ratio). Significant statistical differences were obtained between environmental factors. Using a canonical correspondence analysis of mite species abundance, environmental variables and habitats, strong relationships between investigated factors were established.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The influence of environmental variables on soil mite communities (Acari: Mesostigmata) from overgrazed grassland ecosystems – Romania

Manu

Iordache

Băncilă

et al. 2015

Italian Journal of Zoology

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“…grassland in southern Alberta. Miller et al (2014) found that Onychiuridae were the most abundant among the four families (including Hypogastruridae, Isotomidae, Sminthuridae) of Collembola identified in grazed and ungrazed upland and riparian pastures in southern Alberta.…”

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confidence: 96%

Response of Soil Mesofauna to Long‐Term Application of Feedlot Manure on Irrigated Cropland

et al. 2017

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Long-term application of feedlot manure to cropland may influence soil mesofauna. These organisms affect the health, structure, and fertility of soils, organic matter decomposition, and crop growth. The objective was to study the long-term (16-17 yr) influence of feedlot manure type and bedding on soil mesofauna over 2 yr (2014-2015). Stockpiled or composted feedlot manure with straw (ST) or wood-chip (WD) bedding (plus unamended control) was annually applied (13 Mg ha dry wt.) to an irrigated clay loam soil with continuous barley (). Intact cores were taken from surface (0-5 cm) soil in the fall, and the densities of Acari (mites) suborders and Collembola (springtails) families were determined. Manure type had no significant ( > 0.05) effect on soil mesofauna density. In contrast, there was a significant two- to sixfold increase in density with WD- compared with ST-amended soils of total Acari in 2014 and 2015, as well as total Collembola, total Acari and Collembola, oribatid mites, and entomobryid springtails in 2014. The bedding effect was attributed to significantly greater soil water content and lower bulk density for WD than ST. Density of soil mesofauna was not significantly greater in amended soils than in unamended soils. A shift by feedlot producers from stockpiled to composted feedlot manure application should have no effect on soil mesofauna density, whereas a shift from ST to WD bedding may increase the density of certain soil mesofauna, which may have a beneficial effect on soil.

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“…On pastures in Canada Clapperton et al (2002) found that Oribatida and Gamasida responded positively to moderate cattle grazing, while Prostigmata abundance increased with grazing intensity (more mites on heavily grazed pasture). In another experiment in Canada (Miller et al 2014) Oribatida and Collembola abundance decreased with grazing pressure, while Astigmata abundance increased on intensively grazed grasslands. In the present study no group of organisms reacted positively to heavy grazing.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

“…One of the most significant effects of grazing is soil compaction, resulting in a reduction of total pore space and movement of soil mesofauna (Battigelli et al 2003). Many authors have studied the positive effects of reduced cattle grazing on soil mesofauna (Bardgett and Cook 1998;Clapperton et al 2002;Schon et al 2011Schon et al , 2012Miller et al 2014). The impact of mowing on soil mesofauna has been studied less.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Journal of Plant Protection Research

Gruss¹,

Pastuszko²,

Twardowski³

et al. 2018

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In this study the effect of different grassland managements (cattle grazing with different intensities and mowing) on soil mesofauna, i.e. mites (Acari) and springtails (Collembola), was studied. Mites and springtails are the most numerous representatives of soil mesofauna organisms living in the upper soil layers (up to 5 cm). Soil mesofauna groups or species are commonly used as bioindicators of soil health. The experiment was carried out from 2007 to 2009 in the West Sudety Mountains, Poland. Pastures and meadows were under organic farming management, without pesticides or synthetic fertilizers, and restricted livestock density. Soil samples were taken three times a year (in May−June, July and October) from pastures grazed at different frequencies: once, twice and four times a year, alternate management (grazed and mown pasture) and mown meadow. Mites were identified according to orders or suborders (Oribatida, Gamasida, Prostigmata, Astigmata), while springtails to the species level. The data were analysed using a general linear model (GLM). The mesofauna taxa in relation to the treatment and date were analysed with the canonical correspondence analysis (CCA). The data from three years showed that most soil mesofauna assemblages occurred in significantly higher numbers on the pasture grazed once or twice and on alternate managed pasture than in pasture grazed four times a year and mown meadow. The CCA analysis showed the preference of most springtail species to pasture grazed once a year, while mites preferred pasture grazed twice a year and alternate management. The number of species and the abundance of the most numerous species (Protaphorura pannonica, Desoria multisetis and Folsomides parvulus) did not differ significantly between treatments. To summarize, cattle grazing once or twice a season or alternate management (grazing and mowing once a season) have a positive impact on soil mesofauna.

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Grazing Protection Influences Soil Mesofauna in Ungrazed and Grazed Riparian and Upland Pastures

Cited by 6 publications

References 56 publications

The influence of environmental variables on soil mite communities (Acari: Mesostigmata) from overgrazed grassland ecosystems – Romania

The influence of environmental variables on soil mite communities (Acari: Mesostigmata) from overgrazed grassland ecosystems – Romania

Response of Soil Mesofauna to Long‐Term Application of Feedlot Manure on Irrigated Cropland

Journal of Plant Protection Research

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