Vascular plant litter input in subarctic peat bogs changes Collembola diets and decomposition patterns

• DOI: 10.1016/j.soilbio.2013.03.032
• Publication Date: 2013-04-17T07:12:15Z
• Authors: Eveline J. Krab; Matty P. Berg; Rien Aerts; Richard S.P. van ...; Johannes H.C. Cor...
• Keywords: Sphagnum; Decomposer; Litter; Subarctic climate; Betula pubescens; Plant litter; Mire

In high-latitude ecosystems climate change induced plant community shifts toward dominance of shrubs and trees will potentially have large consequences for soil carbon dynamics. Changes in the litter layer due to an altered quantity and quality of litter input, or by its indirect effect on the microclimate, might affect the decomposer community.To be able to predict the effects of increased litter input on decomposers and consequently on soil carbon dynamics, we studied the contribution of Collembola to carbon processing in a high-latitude peat bog system. Moreover, we assessed the effects of changing litter inputs on their abundance, diversity and diet choice, using a