Change in food relationships in the soil as a function of forest use

Picture: The photo shows a close-up of a centipede on a brown leaf.

Background

The LitterLinks project investigates changes in soil animal community structure with the form of forest use. The soil animal community is an integral and essential component of terrestrial ecosystems and closely linked to the aboveground system. Animal decomposers play an important role in the transformation of dead plant and animal matter, root feeding directly influences plant growth, the burrowing activity of many soil organisms (e.g. earthworms) shapes and improves the structure of the soil and thus the uptake of water and nutrients. The services of the soil animal community for a habitat are manifold, but the numerous interactions of the organisms of this subsystem are only rudimentarily understood. This is mainly due to methodological difficulties. Soil organisms are usually very small and therefore difficult to determine, and recording settlement densities, biomasses and species diversity is correspondingly time-consuming.

Goals

The work of the project is to identify key taxa in the soil and litter layer in forests of different types of use and to document changes in community composition and species diversity. For this purpose, the soil fauna expelled from soil cores by heat extraction will be determined at the species level. The determination of the soil fauna is carried out by the PhD students of the project or within the framework of Master’s and Bachelor’s theses. Subgroups are supplemented by the work of other projects within the Biodiversity Exploratories. For example, the horn mites are worked on by Georgia Erdmann (Frass), the protozoa by Jan Weinert (NanoFauna) and the isopods by Roswitha Ehnes (ModelWeb).

Additional biotic and abiotic factors, such as microbial respiration, acidity of soil and litter, and the storage density of the litter layer, were recorded to characterise the types of use and site-specific differences.

Following the identification of species, we analyse the feeding relationships of representative key taxa of the soil fauna, their trophic position and their basal food resource with the help of complementary laboratory methods.

Hypotheses

The composition of the decomposer community of forest ecosystems changes in a predictable and consistent way with the form of forest use.
Linkages between decomposers and their food change little with the intensity and form of forest use.

Methods

1. Analysis of the stable isotope signature (13C/12C and 15N/14N ratios) of soil animals and their potential resources (e.g. litter) allows conclusions to be drawn about the position in the food web and the basal resource of the organisms.
2. The analysis of fatty acid patterns detects fatty acids obtained directly from food in the body tissues of organisms and enables, among other things, the differentiation of bacterial and fungal food.
3. Molecular gut content analysis detects DNA fragments of prey in the digestive tract of predators and thus enables the detection of a feeding relationship.

The data on settlement density and biomass of key taxa, as well as the detected feeding relationships, form the data basis for an empirically based modelling of the food web structure by the ModelWeb project.

The trophic structure of the decomposer community in the soil of European beech forests and its changes with different forest use can thus be revealed with unprecedented accuracy.

Picture: The collage shows six photos of young scientists of the Georg-August-Universität in Göttingen during activities in the forest and in the laboratory

Publications

Temporal variation of soil microarthropods in different forest types and regions of Central Europe

Junggebauer A., Bluhm C., Erdmann G., Bluhm S. L, Pollierer M. M., Scheu S. (2024): Temporal variation of soil microarthropods in different forest types and regions of Central Europe. Oikos10: e10513. doi: 10.1111/oik.10513

Effects of forest gap formation and deadwood enrichment on oribatid mites (Acari: Oribatida) vary between regions

Die Auswirkungen Waldlückenbildung und Totholzanreicherung auf die Mikroarthropoden im Boden variieren von Region zu Region

Junggebauer A., Gericke N. M., Krakau K.L., Bluhm S. L., Maraun M., Pollierer M. M., Scheu S. (2024): Effects of forest gap formation and deadwood enrichment on oribatid mites (Acari: Oribatida) vary between regions. Forest Ecology and Management 565: 122015. doi: 10.1016/j.foreco.2024.122015

Opening up new niche dimensions: The stoichiometry of soil microarthropods in European beech and Norway spruce forests

Die stöchiometrische Nische im Bodensystem: eine Untersuchung der Elementgehalte von Bodenmilben in Buchen- und Fichtenwäldern

Warnke L., Hertel D., Scheu S., Maraun M. (2023): Opening up new niche dimensions: The stoichiometry of soil microarthropods in European beech and Norway spruce forests. Ecology and Evolution 13, e10122. doi: 10.1002/ece3.10122

Collembola communities across forest ecosystems in Germany: Long-term dynamics and interrelationships with fungal food resources

Jüds M. (2023): Collembola communities across forest ecosystems in Germany: Long-term dynamics and interrelationships with fungal food resources. Dissertation, University Göttingen. doi: 10.53846/goediss-9896

Amino acid isotopes in functional assemblages of Collembola reveal the influence of vertical resource heterogeneity and root energy supply on trophic interactions in soil food webs

Der Einfluss von wurzelbasierter Energieversorgung und vertikaler Ressourcenheterogenität auf die trophische Struktur von Springschwanz-Gemeinschaften, untersucht mit komponentenspezifischer Analyse von Aminosäureisotopen.

Li Z., Bluhm S. L., Scheu S., Pollierer M. M. (2022): Amino acid isotopes in functional assemblages of Collembola reveal the influence of vertical resource heterogeneity and root energy supply on trophic interactions in soil food webs. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 174, 108815. doi: 10.1016/j.soilbio.2022.108815

The stoichiometric niche in soil systems: Investigating the elemental composition of soil mites in beech and spruce forests

Die stöchiometrische Nische im Bodensystem: eine Untersuchung der Elementgehalte von Bodenmilben in Buchen- und Fichtenwäldern

Warnke L. (2022): The stoichiometric niche in soil systems: Investigating the elemental composition of soil mites in beech and spruce forests. Bachelor thesis, University Göttingen

The impact of root-derived resources on forest soil invertebrates depends on body size and trophic position

Bluhm S. L., Eitzinger B., Bluhm C., Ferlian O., Heidemann K., Ciobanu M., Maraun M., Scheu S. (2021): The Impact of Root-Derived Resources on Forest Soil Invertebrates Depends on Body Size and Trophic Position. Frontiers in Forests and Global Change 4:622370. doi: 10.3389/ffgc.2021.622370

Diversity and functional structure of soil animal communities suggest soil animal food webs to be buffered against changes in forest land use

Diversität und funktionelle Struktur von Bodentiergemeinschaften legen nahe, dass Bodentier-Nahrungsnetze gegenüber Änderungen in der Waldnutzung gepuffert sind

Pollierer M. M., Klarner B., Ott D. Digel C., Ehnes R. B., Eitzinger B., Erdmann G., Brose U., Maraun M., Scheu S. (2021): Diversity and functional structure of soil animal communities suggest soil animal food webs to be buffered against changes in forest land use. Oecologia 196, 195–209. doi: 10.1007/s00442-021-04910-1

Stable isotopes of amino acids indicate that soil decomposer microarthropods predominantly feed on saprotrophic fungi

Stabile Isotope von Aminosäuren weisen darauf hin, dass Zersetzer-Mikroarthropoden im Boden sich hauptsächlich von saprotrophen Pilzen ernähren

Pollierer M. M., Scheu S. (2021): Stable isotopes of amino acids indicate that soil decomposer microarthropods predominantly feed on saprotrophic fungi. Ecosphere 12 (3), e03425. doi: 10.1002/ecs2.3425

Basal resources and trophic level of macrofauna decomposers in beech and spruce forests as indicated by amino acid isotopes of carbon and nitrogen

Zusammensetzung von basalen Ressourcen und dem trophischen Level von Makrofauna Zersetzern in Buchen und Fichtenwald, wie von stabilen Isotopen von Kohlenstoff und Stickstoff in Aminosäuren angegeben

Wenglein R. (2021): Basal resources and trophic level of macrofauna decomposers in beech and spruce forests as indicated by amino acid isotopes of carbon and nitrogen. Master thesis, University Göttingen

Deprivation of root-derived resources affects microbial biomass but not community structure in litter and soil

Die Reduktion von wurzelbürtigem Energiefluss beeinflusst die mikrobielle Biomasse nicht aber die Gemeinschaft

Bluhm S. L., Eitzinger B., Ferlian O., Bluhm C., Schröter K., Pena R., Maraun M., Scheu S. (2019): Deprivation of root-derived resources affects microbial biomass but not community structure in litter and soil. PLoS ONE 14 (3): e0214233. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0214233

Protura are unique: first evidence of specialized feeding on ectomycorrhizal fungi in soil invertebrates

Beintaster (Protura) sind einzigartig: Erste Hinweise auf eine spezielle Ernährung mit Ektomykorrhizen bei Bodenarthropoden

Bluhm S. L., Potapov A. M., Shrubovych J., Ammerschubert S., Polle A., Scheu S. (2019): Protura are unique: first evidence of specialized feeding on ectomycorrhizal fungi in soil invertebrates. BMC Ecology 19:10. doi: 10.1186/s12898-019-0227-y

Testing the validity of functional response models using molecular gut content analysis for prey choice in soil predators

Einsatz von molekularer Darminhaltsanalyse zur Überprüfung der Eignung von Functional Response Modelle zur Vorhersage von Räuber-Beute-Interaktionen bei bodenlebenden Gliederfüßern

Eitzinger B., Rall B. C., Traugott M., Scheu S. (2018): Testing the validity of functional response models using molecular gut content analysis for prey choice in soil predators. Oikos 127 (7), 915-926. doi: 10.1111/oik.04885

Phylogenetic and trophic determinants of gut microbiota in soil oribatid mites

Gong X., Chen T.-W., Zieger S. L., Bluhm C., Heidemann K., Schaefer I., Maraun M., Liu M., Scheu S. (2018): Phylogenetic and trophic determinants of gut microbiota in soil oribatid mites. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 123, 155-164. doi: 10.1016/j.soilbio.2018.05.011

Driving factors and temporal fluctuation of Collembola communities and reproductive mode across forest types and regions

Bestimmende Faktoren und zeitliche Fluktuation von Collembola Gemeinschaften und Reproduktionsweise in unterschiedlichen Waldtypen und Regionen

Pollierer M. M., Scheu S. (2017): Driving factors and temporal fluctuation of Collembola communities and reproductive mode across forest types and regions. Ecology and Evolution 7 (12), 4390-4403. doi: 10.1002/ece3.3035/10.1002/ece3.3035

Temporal dynamics and variation with forest type of phospholipid fatty acids in litter and soil of temperate forests across regions

Zeitliche Dynamik und Varianz von Phospholipiden aus Boden und Streu in verschiedenen Wäldern und Regionen Deutschlands und der Einfluss von Landnutzung

Pollierer M. M., Ferlian O., Scheu S. (2015): Temporal dynamics and variation with forest type of phospholipid fatty acids in litter and soil of temperate forests across regions. Soil Biology& Biochemistry 91, 248-257. doi: 10.1016/j.soilbio.2015.08.035

Phylogenetic diversity as proxy for functional diversity

Unger E. M. (2015): Phylogenetic diversity as proxy for functional diversity. Master thesis, University Göttingen

Trophic niche differentiation and utilisation of food resources in collembolans based on complementary analyses of fatty acids and stable isotopes

Unterschiede in Nahrungsressourcen bei Springschwänzen anhand von Fettsäure- und Stabile-Isotopen-Analysen

Ferlian O., Klarner B., Langeneckert A. E., Scheu S. (2015): Trophic niche differentiation and utilisation of food resources in collembolans based on complementary analyses of fatty acids and stable isotopes. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 82, 28–35. doi: 10.1016/j.soilbio.2014.12.012

Shifts in trophic interactions with forest type in soil generalist predators as indicated by complementary analyses of fatty acids and stable isotopes

Verschiebung von Nahrungsspektren räuberischer Bodentiere mit Waldnutzungstypen anhand von Fettsäure- und Stabile-Isotopen-Analysen

Ferlian O., Scheu S. (2014): Shifts in trophic interactions with forest type in soil generalist predators as indicated by complementary analyses of fatty acids and stable isotopes. Oikos 123 (10), 1182–1191. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0706.2013.00848.x

Effects of prey quality and predator body size on prey DNA detection success in a centipede predator

Auswirkungen von Beutequalität und Räuberkörpergröße auf Beute-DNA-Detektionserfolg in Hundertfüssern

Eitzinger B., Unger E. M., Traugott M., Scheu S. (2014): Effects of prey quality and predator body size on prey DNA detection success in a centipede predator. Molecular Ecology 23 (15), 3767–377. doi: 10.1111/mec.12654

Variations in prey consumption of centipede predators in forest soils as indicated by molecular gut content analysis

Variationen in der Beutewahl von Hundertfüssern in Waldböden

Günther B., Rall B. C., Ferlian O., Scheu S., Eitzinger B. (2014): Variations in prey consumption of centipede predators in forest soils as indicated by molecular gut content analysis. Oikos 123 (10), 1192–1198. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0706.2013.00868.x

Soil animal food webs in temperate forests: effects of forest management on trophic structure as indicated by molecular gut content, stable isotope and fatty acid analyses

Ferlian O. (2014): Soil animal food webs in temperate forests: effects of forest management on trophic structure as indicated by molecular gut content, stable isotope and fatty acid analyses. Dissertation, University Goettingen

Carbon food resources of earthworms of different ecological groups as indicated by 13C compound-specific stable isotope analysis

Nahrungsressourcen von verschiedenen Regenwurm-Arten anhand von komponenten-spezifischen Stabile-Isotopen-Analysen

Ferlian O., Cesarz S., Marhan S., Scheu S. (2014): Carbon food resources of earthworms of different ecological groups as indicated by 13C compound-specific stable isotope analysis. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 77, 22–30. doi: 10.1016/j.soilbio.2014.06.002

Trophic shift of soil animal species with forest type as indicated by stable isotope analysis

Aufzeigen von Veränderungen der Ernährungsweise von Bodentieren in Wäldern unterschiedlicher Bewirtschaftung mittels stabiler Isotope

Klarner B., Ehnes R. B., Erdmann G., Eitzinger B., Pollierer M. M., Maraun M., Scheu S. (2014): Trophic shift of soil animal species with forest type as indicated by stable isotope analysis. Oikos 123 (10), 1173–1181. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0706.2013.00939.x

Unveiling soil food web links: New PCR assays for detection of prey DNA in the gut of soil arthropod predators

Bodennahrungsnetze sichtbar machen: Neue PCR Testverfahren zur Bestimmung von Beute-DNA im Darminhalt von räuberischen Gliederfüßern der Bodenschicht

Eitzinger B., Micic A., Körner M., Traugott M., Scheu S. (2013): Unveiling soil food web links: New PCR assays for detection of prey DNA in the gut of soil arthropod predators. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 57 (943–945). doi: 10.1016/j.soilbio.2012.09.001

Trophic diversity and niche partitioning in a species rich predator guild – Natural variations in stable isotope ratios (13C/12C, 15N/14N) of mesostigmatid mites (Acari, Mesostigmata) from Central European beech forests

Trophische Diversität und Nischentrennung in einer artenreichen Räubergilde; Natürliche Variation in stabilen Isotopenverhältnissen (13C/12C und 15N/14N) von Raubmilben (Acari, Mesostigmata) mitteleuropäischer Buchenwälder

Klarner B., Maraun M., Scheu S. (2013): Trophic diversity and niche partitioning in a species rich predator guild – Natural variations in stable isotope ratios (13C/12C, 15N/14N) of mesostigmatid mites (Acari, Mesostigmata) from Central European beech forests. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 57, 327–333. doi: 10.1016/j.soilbio.2012.08.013

Molecular analysis of centipede predation

Molekulare Analyse der Ernährung von Hundertfüssern (Chilopoda)

Eitzinger B. (2013): Molecular analysis of centipede predation. Dissertation, University of Goettingen

Changes in trophic structure of decomposer communities with land use in Central European temperate forests

Klarner B. (2013): Changes in trophic structure of decomposer communities with land use in Central European temperate forests. Dissertation, University Goettingen

Trophic interactions in centipedes (Chilopoda, Myriapoda) as indicated by fatty acid patterns: Variations with life stage, forest age and season

Nahrungsbeziehungen von Hundertfüßern anhand von Fettsäureanalysen: Unterschiede mit Individualentwicklung, Waldalter und Jahreszeit

Ferlian O., Scheu S., Pollierer M. M. (2012): Trophic interactions in centipedes (Chilopoda, Myriapoda) as indicated by fatty acid patterns: Variations with life stage, forest age and season. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 52, 33–42. doi: 10.1016/j.soilbio.2012.04.018

Prey spectrum of forest soil predators across a land-use gradient using molecular gut content analysis

Günther B. (2012): Prey spectrum of forest soil predators across a land-use gradient using molecular gut content analysis. Master thesis, University Goettingen

Compartmentalization and energy channels within the soil animal food web investigated by stable isotope and fatty acid analyses

Kompartimentierung und Energie-Kanäle im Bodentier-Nahrungsnetz untersucht mit stabiler Isotopen- und Fettsäuremuster-Analyse

Maraun M. (2012): Compartmentalization and energy channels within the soil animal food web investigated by stable isotope and fatty acid analyses. Dissertation, University Goettingen

Fatty acid patterns as biomarker for trophic interactions: Changes after dietary switch and starvation

Fettsäuremuster als Biomarker für trophische Interaktionen: Veränderungen nach Nahrungswechsel und Hungern

Haubert D., Pollierer M. M., Scheu S. (2011): Fatty acid patterns as biomarker for trophic interactions: Changes after dietary switch and starvation. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 43, 490-494. doi: 10.1016/j.soilbio.2010.10.008

Analysing trophic interactions in centipedes (Chilopoda, Myriapoda) using fatty acid patterns: effects of life stage,forest type and season

Ferlian O. (2011): Analysing trophic interactions in centipedes (Chilopoda, Myriapoda) using fatty acid patterns: effects of life stage,forest type and season. Thesis, University Göttingen

Auswirkungen von Landnutzung auf die Nematodengesellschaften in Wäldern gemäßigter Breiten

Wagner K. (2010): Auswirkungen von Landnutzung auf die Nematodengesellschaften in Wäldern gemäßigter Breiten. Thesis, HU Berlin

Taking it to the next level: Trophic transfer of marker fatty acids from basal resource to predators

Trophischer Transfer von Marker-Fettsäuren von der basalen Ressource zum Prädator

Pollierer M. M., Scheu S., Haubert D. (2010): Taking it to the next level: Trophic transfer of marker fatty acids from basal resource to predators. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 42, 919-925. doi: 10.1016/j.soilbio.2010.02.008

Analysing the litter food web: Molecular detection of springtails (Insecta: Collembola) in arthropod predators

Micic A.(2009): Analysing the litter food web: Molecular detection of springtails (Insecta: Collembola) in arthropod predators. Thesis, Technische Universität Darmstadt