Ref ID : 2325
Helmut Berger, Wilhelm Foissner, and Hans Adam; [Protozoologische Untersuchungen an Almboden im Gasteiner Tal (Zentralalpen, Osterreich). IV. Experimentelle Studien zur Wirkung der Bodenverdichtung auf die Struktur der Testaceen- und Ciliatentaxozonose] (Studies on the protozoa in alpine soils from the Gastein area (Central Alps, Austria). IV. Experimental studies about the effects of soil compaction on the structure of the testacean and ciliate community). Veroff.Osterr.MaB-Programms 9:97-112, 1985
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The effects of soil compaction on the structure of the testacean and ciliate community were studied by means of a special compaction chamber. The upper 5 cm of soil of an alpine pasture (ca. 1,965 m above sea-level) were compacted at 10% (c), 30% (d) and 50% (e). The control (a) was the undisturbed alpine pasture. Sample (b) was used to determine the effect of the chamber. The chambers were exposed for 3 months at the same sites. The testacea react by a loss of the infrequent species and a continuous decrease of their abundance. Centropyxis aerophila var. sphagnicola is most abundant in (a) to (d), whereas Trinema lineare is most frequent in (e). Both species number and abundance are significantly negative correlated with bulk density. The part of empty tests increases from (a) to (e). Trinema complanatum is significantly smaller in (e) than in (c). So we conclude, that smaller species are relatively less influenced by soil compaction than larger ones. Active ciliates are most abundant in (d). The qualitative investigations (culture method!) showed a significant effect of the chamber to the species number of the ciliates. But there are no differences from (b) to (e). Concerning the abundance the nematoda react similar as the testacea. The pH is significantly positive correlated with the bulk density. The reduced pore space and moisture content seem to be responsible for these changes of the communities. The results of our experiments are comparable with field studies at ski trails. Thus terrestrial protozoa are useful bioindicators. The ciliates appear to react more sensitively but less selectively than the testacea to a disturbance of their environment.