Mite Communities (Acari, Mesostigmata) in the Initially Decomposed ‘Litter Islands’ of 11 Tree Species in Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) Forest

Abstract

Replacement of native deciduous forests by coniferous stands was a common result of former European afforestation policies and paradigms of forest management and led to considerable ecological consequences. Therefore, the most popular management strategy nowadays in multi-functional forestry is the re-establishment of mixed or broadleaved forests with native species on suitable habitats. However, our knowledge about the effects of tree species introduced into coniferous monocultures on soil mesofauna communities is scarce. We investigated abundance, species richness and diversity of Mesostigmata mite communities in decomposed litter of seven broadleaved (Acer platanoides L., A. pseudoplatanus L., Carpinus betulus L., Fagus sylvatica L., Tilia cordata Mill., Quercus robur L., Q. rubra L.) and four coniferous (Abies alba Mill., Larix decidua Mill., Picea abies [L.] Karst., Pinus sylvestris L.) species. We collected 297 litterbags after 6, 12 and 18 months of exposition in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) monocultures in Siemianice Experimental Forest (SW Poland). Generally, species richness and diversity in litter samples were much lower than in the soil mite pool. The highest abundance was found in P. sylvestris and A. alba litter, while the lowest was found in A. platanoides. The most abundant families were Zerconidae, Parasitidae, Veigaiidae, and Trachytidae. Our study revealed that neither species richness nor diversity were affected, but that mite abundance was affected, by the tree species (litter quality). The mite communities were similarly comprised in both high- and low-quality litter and mite abundance decreased during the decomposition process in nutrient-poor Scots pine forests. Moreover, few mite species benefited from the decomposed litter. Additionally, a litter of various tree species was inhabited mainly by eu- and hemiedaphic mite species. Mite assemblages in A. alba, P. sylvestris, and Q. robur litter had higher abundances. Exposition time seems to be an important driver in shaping the mite community during the early stages of litter decomposition.

Monitoring, Assessment and Management of Forest Insect Pests and Diseases

“…Finally, four papers focused on the management of forest pests. Kamczyc et al [27] studied Mesostigmata mite communities in the decomposed litter of broadleaved and coniferous trees, to evaluate the effects of the re-establishment of mixed or broadleaved forests with native species. The results revealed that the species richness and diversity of the mite community were not affected, but the mite abundance was influenced by the tree species, which suggests differences in the litter quality.…”

Predatory mite instars (Acari, Mesostigmata) and decomposing tree leaves in mixed and monoculture stands growing on a spoil heap and surrounding forests

“…As many studies revealed, mesostigmatid mites feed primarily on herbivorous, fungivorous and saprophagous organisms (Koehler 1999 ; Wissuwa et al 2012 ; Skorupski et al 2013 ), which may be directly dependent on fallen litter features (Fujii and Takeda 2017 ; Kamczyc et al 2019 ; Urbanowski et al 2021 ). Moreover, microhabitat properties (Frouz 2018 ), including leaf structure (Schmidt 2014 ), as well as soil-forming processes, including forest litter decomposition (Osler et al 2004 ; Urbanowski et al 2018 , 2021 ), may significantly shape soil fauna communities, including mesostigmatid mites.…”

Short life–fast death: decomposition rates of woody plants leaf- and herb-litter

“…Decomposition rates depend on climate, litter quality, and communities of soil organisms (Berg and McClaugherty 2014;Cornwell et al 2008;Kamczyc et al 2019;Urbanowski et al 2018). Microclimates in temperate deciduous forest understories vary during the growing season, due to changing solar zenith angle and canopy phenology (Noda et al 2015).…”