Biology subjects

Fromin, N.

Publications and source records attributed to Fromin, N..

2 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2023

Biodiversity in mountain soils above the treeline

Despite the importance of healthy soils for human livelihood, wellbeing, and safety, current gaps in our knowledge and understanding of biodiversity in soil are numerous, undermining conservation efforts. These gaps are particularly wide in mountain regions where healthy soils are especially important for human safety and yet evidence is accumulating of ongoing degradation, posing significant threats to ecosystem functioning and human settlements. To analyse these gaps in detail, we synthesise current research on the global diversity of microorganisms, cryptogams, and invertebrates in mountain soils above the treeline. This synthesis is based on a semi-quantitative survey of the literature and an expert-based analysis. Our work reveals not only deficiencies in geographic cover but also significant gaps in taxonomic coverage, particularly among soil protists and invertebrates, and a lack of (functional and ecological) description of the uncultivated majority of prokaryotes, fungi, and protists. We subsequently build on this overview to highlight opportunities for research on mountain soils as systems of co-occurring species that interact in complex environmental matrices to fulfil critical functions and make essential contributions to life on land. Closing gaps in biodiversity research in mountain soil is crucial to enhance our understanding and to promote laws and guidelines advancing international soil biodiversity conservation targets in mountains. Addressing sparse and biased data, recognizing the impact of environmental changes on mountain ecosystems, and advocating dedicated policies are essential strategies to safeguard mountain soils and their biodiversity. GLOSSARY O_TBL View this table: org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@16682fdorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@121b9feorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@139eadeorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@16abd74org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@bc3da9_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_TBL C_TBL

ecology↗

bioRxiv2023

Earthworms and plants can decrease soil greenhouse gases emissions by modulating soil moisture fluctuations and soil macroporosity in a mesocosm experiment

Earthworms can stimulate microbial activity and hence, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from soils. However, the extent of this effect in the presence of plants and soil moisture fluctuations, which are influenced by earthworm burrowing activity, remains uncertain. Here we report the effect of earthworms (without, anecic, endogeic, both) and plants (with, without) on GHG (CO2, N2O) emissions in a 3 month-greenhouse mesocosm experiment simulating a simplified agricultural context. The mesocosms allowed for water drainage at the bottom to account for the earthworm engineering effect on water flow during two drying-wetting cycles. N2O cumulative emissions were 34.6 and 44.8% lower when both earthworm species and only endogeic species were present, respectively, and 19.8% lower in presence of plants. The presence of the endogeic species alone or in combination with the anecic species slightly reduced CO2 emissions by 5.9% and 11.4% respectively, and plants presence increased emissions by 6%. Earthworms, plants and soil water content interactively affected weekly N2O emissions, an effect controlled by increased soil dryness due to drainage via earthworm burrows and mesocosm evapotranspiration. Soil macroporosity (measured by X-ray tomography) was affected by earthworm species-specific burrowing activity. Both GHG emissions decreased with top soil macropore volume, presumably due to reduced moisture and microbial activity. N2O emissions decreased with macropore volume in the deepest layer, likely due to fewer anaerobic microsites. Our results indicate that, under experimental conditions allowing for plant and earthworm engineering effects on soil moisture, earthworms do not increase GHG emissions and that endogeic earthworms may even reduce N2O emissions.

ecology↗