Insect‐mediated nitrogen dynamics in decomposing wood

Abstract

Abstract. 1. Wood decomposition is characterised by complex and poorly understood nitrogen (N) dynamics with unclear implications for forest nutrient cycling and productivity. Wood-dwelling microbes have developed unique strategies for coping with the N limitations imposed by their substrate, including the translocation of N into wood by cord-forming fungi and the fixation of atmospheric nitrogen (N 2 ) by bacteria and Archaea.2. By accelerating the release of nutrients immobilised in fungal tissues and promoting N 2 fixation by free-living and endosymbiotic prokaryotes, saproxylic insects have the potential to influence N dynamics in forests.3. Prokaryotes capable of fixing N 2 appear to be commonplace among wood-feeding insects, with published records from three orders (Blattodea, Coleoptera and Hymenoptera), 13 families, 33 genera and at least 60 species. These organisms appear to play a significant role in the N economies of their hosts and represent a widespread solution to surviving on a diet of wood.4. While agricultural research has demonstrated the role that termites and other insects can play in enhancing crop yields, the importance of saproxylic insects to forest productivity remains unexplored.

Necrobiome framework for bridging decomposition ecology of autotrophically and heterotrophically derived organic matter

“…In addition to digestion, another important function performed by prokaryotes within the guts or salivary glands of many wood‐feeding arthropods is nitrogen fixation, which often provides much of the nitrogen required by these organisms to complete development (Ulyshen ). Ecto‐symbioses are common between insects and fungi associated with decomposing wood.…”

“…Endo-symbionts include a wide range of gut-dwelling bacteria, archaea, and eukarya (e.g., yeasts and protists) that have been the subjects of intense study in both termites (O'Brien andSlaytor 1982, Brune 2014) and various beetle species (Reid et al 2011, Urbina et al 2013). In addition to digestion, another important function performed by prokaryotes within the guts or salivary glands of many wood-feeding arthropods is nitrogen fixation, which often provides much of the nitrogen required by these organisms to complete development (Ulyshen 2015). Ecto-symbioses are common between insects and fungi associated with decomposing wood.…”

Effects of Hurricane-Felled Tree Trunks on Soil Carbon, Nitrogen, Microbial Biomass, and Root Length in a Wet Tropical Forest

“…They can accelerate release of N immobilized in microbial biomass through indirect interactions with cord-forming fungi [52,53]. They can also promote N 2 fixation by providing conditions conducive to prokaryote activity in their guts as well as in comminuted wood [54]. Results from Asmus [55] suggest that frass maybe a preferred substrate for N 2 fixing bacteria.…”

Differential Effects of Coarse Woody Debris on Microbial and Soil Properties in Pinus densiflora Sieb. et Zucc. Forests

“…Furthermore, only few studies have clarified changes in soil development and nutrient dynamics alongside CWD decomposition process, and particularly, the initial changes in soils beneath CWD [5]. Initial CWD decomposition by microbes and arthropods governs the magnitude of the fixation of N into CWD and the release of N from CWD in the long term [13]. Hence, studying the initial interaction between CWD and soils could provide insights into the long-term N availability in forest soils.…”