PDF(Pubmed)
Abstract：
Warming can decrease feeding activity of soil organisms and affect biogeochemical cycles. The ant Formica manchu is active on the nest surface and prefers a hot, dry environment; therefore, warming may provide a favourable environment for its activities. We hypothesized that F. manchu benefit from warming and mitigate the negative effects of warming on litter decomposition. We examined the effects of ant nests (nest absence versus nest presence) and warming (+1.3 and +2.3°C) on litter decomposition, soil properties and the plant community in alpine grassland. Decomposition stations with two mesh sizes were used to differentiate effects of microorganisms (0.05 mm) and macroinvertebrates (1 cm) on decomposition. Ant nests increased litter decomposition with and without macroinvertebrates accessing the decomposition station when compared to plots without ant nests. Only litter decomposition in ant nests with macroinvertebrates having access to the decomposition station was not affected negatively by warming. Plots with ant nests had greater soil carbon, nutrient contents and plant growth than plots without ant nests, regardless of warming. Our results suggest that ant nests maintain ecosystem processes and functions under warming. Consequently, a management strategy in alpine grasslands should include the protection of these ants and ant nests.
摘要：
变暖会降低土壤生物的摄食活性并影响生物地球化学循环。蚂蚁满族在巢穴表面活跃，喜欢炎热，干燥的环境；因此，变暖可能为其活动提供有利的环境。我们假设F.满族从变暖中受益，并减轻了变暖对凋落物分解的负面影响。我们研究了蚂蚁巢（没有巢与巢存在）和变暖（1.3和2.3°C）对凋落物分解的影响，高寒草地的土壤特性和植物群落。使用具有两个网格大小的分解站来区分微生物（0.05mm）和大型无脊椎动物（1cm）对分解的影响。与没有蚂蚁巢的地块相比，有和没有大型无脊椎动物进入分解站的蚂蚁巢都会增加凋落物的分解。只有大型无脊椎动物进入分解站的蚂蚁巢中的凋落物分解不会受到变暖的负面影响。有蚂蚁巢的地块有更多的土壤碳，养分含量和植物生长比没有蚂蚁巢的地块，不管变暖。我们的结果表明，在变暖的情况下，蚁巢维持生态系统的过程和功能。因此,高山草原的管理策略应包括保护这些蚂蚁和蚂蚁巢。
