Reactions of the macrofauna of a forest mull to experimental perturbations of litter supply

In: Oikos, 1991, 61(3), pp.316-326. The effects on forest soil macrofauna of two treatments, viz. litter interception and twofold litter supply, were studied for five yr in the field. Results concern five saprophagous groups (Lumbricidae, Diplopoda, Isopoda, Coleoptera larvae, Diptera larvae) and five zoophagous groups (Geophilomorpha, Lithobiomorpha, Pseudoscorpionida, Coleoptera larvae, Diptera larvae). The litter interception had a negative effect on the abundance of most taxa, but was rather slow; there was no significant decrease in abundance before at least 1 yr in Lumbricidae, 2 yr in Isopoda and zoophagous Diptera larvae, 2.5 yr in Diplopoda, saprophagous Diptera larvae, Geophilomorpha and Lithobiomorpha. The twofold litter supply had no significant effect on the abundance of most taxa; on the other hand, it initiated a process of dead leaf accumulation in relation to control, with an annual decomposition rate (k') higher on the control plot than on the plot with an increased litter supply. The results do not support the assumption that saprophagous soil macrofauna are food-limited in acid mull conditions.