Interactions between invertebrate and microbial communities in
decomposing camphor and Masson pine litter varied with seasonal rainfall
Abstract
To reveal the changes in the interactions between invertebrate and
microbe in decomposing litter along with seasonal rainfall, litterbags
containing camphor (Cinnamomum longepaniculatum) and Masson pine (Pinus
massoniana) litter were respectively in-situ incubated on the floor of
Masson pine and camphor mixed plantations in October 2013 in subtropical
region of China. Different mesh sizes of litterbags were used to control
the access of the invertebrate. The invertebrates were collected by
funnel method, and microbial communities were measured by phospholipid
fatty acid (PLFA) method after collecting the litterbag samples in
slightly rainy season (SRS), micro rainy season (MRS), early rainy
season (ERS) and rainy season (RS) during 2-yr decomposition. We found
that the abundance and structure of microbial and invertebrate
communities varied sharply with seasonal rainfall and tree species.
Invertebrate exclusion generally decreased all types of microbial
biomasses (the total microbial biomass, fungal biomass and bacterial
biomass, Gram-positive bacterial biomass and Gram-negative bacterial
biomass) in Masson pine needle litter, but generally increased these
types of microbial biomasses in camphor foliar litter at most time.
Invertebrate exclusion decreased the mass loss rate of Masson pine
litter, but increased the mass loss rate of camphor litter. In
conclusion, the interactions between invertebrates and microbial
communities are significantly controlled by litter quality and the
seasonal rainfall pattern, which could significantly drive the
decomposition process of leaf litter.