Species-specific effects of soil fauna on fungal foraging and decomposition

• Published in: Oecologia Vol. 167; no. 2; pp. 535 - 545
• Main Authors: Crowther, Thomas W, Boddy, Lynne, Jones, T. Hefin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer-Verlag 01-10-2011; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Animal and plant ecology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Animals; Arthropods - physiology; Basidiomycetes; Basidiomycota; Basidiomycota - cytology; Basidiomycota - growth & development; Basidiomycota - physiology; biochemistry; biodegradation; Biological and medical sciences; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Carbon dioxide; Climate change; climatic factors; Community composition; Community structure; decay fungi; decayed wood; Decomposition; Ecological function; Ecology; ECOSYSTEM ECOLOGY; Ecosystem ecology - Original Paper; Ecosystems; Fagus - chemistry; Feeding Behavior; foraging; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Fungi; General aspects; Global climate; Global temperature changes; Grassland soils; Grazing; Hydrology/Water Resources; Invertebrates; Invertebrates - physiology; Life Sciences; Microbial ecology; microbial growth; Mineralization; Mycelium; Nematodes; Oligochaeta - physiology; Plant Sciences; Population Dynamics; Rhabditida - physiology; Soil - chemistry; Soil ecology; Soil fauna; Soil fungi; Soil invertebrates; Soil Microbiology; soil resources; soil structure; Soils; Spatial distribution; Species diversity; Species Specificity; Taxa; Various environments (extraatmospheric space, air, water); Wales; Wood; Wood - chemistry; Woodlands; Nutrient distribution; Soil invertebrates; Decomposer fungi; Grazing; Microbial community; Feeding behavior; Decomposer; Decomposition; Species specificity; Foraging behavior; Fungi; Soils; Soil fauna; Nutrient; Invertebrata
• ISSN: 0029-8549; 1432-1939
• DOI: 10.1007/s00442-011-2005-1

Decomposer fungi are primary decomposing agents in terrestrial soils. Their mycelial networks play an important role in nutrient mineralisation and distribution, but are also nutritious resources for various soil invertebrates. Global climate change is predicted to alter the diversity and community composition of these soil fauna. To understand whether changes in invertebrate species diversity are likely to affect fungal-mediated decomposition, this study compared the grazing potentials of different invertebrate taxa and functional groups. Specifically, the grazing impacts of seven invertebrate taxa on the growth and spatial distribution of six basidiomycete fungi growing from beech wood blocks in soil microcosms were explored. Wood decay rates by fungi were also compared. The consequences of grazing were both taxon- and species-specific. Generally, macro-invertebrates caused the greatest damage, while meso- and micro-invertebrates often stimulated mycelial growth. Invertebrate size, preferences and population dynamics are likely to influence grazing potentials. Effects of grazing varied between fungi, with mycelial morphology and biochemistry possibly influencing susceptibility. Heavy grazing indirectly increased fungal-mediated wood decomposition. Changes in invertebrate community composition are predicted to have consequences for fungal growth, activity and community structure in woodland soils. Abiotic climate change factors including CO2 and temperature affect mycelial productivity directly, but the indirect effects, mediated through changes in the soil invertebrate community, may be equally important in controlling ecosystem functioning.