Responses of grassland soil invertebrates to natural and anthropogenic disturbances

TitleResponses of grassland soil invertebrates to natural and anthropogenic disturbances
Publication TypeBook Chapter
Year of Publication2000
AuthorsBlair, JM, Todd, TC, Callaham, MA
EditorColeman, DC, Hendrix, PF
Book TitleInvertebrates as Webmasters in Ecosystems
Pagination43 -71
PublisherCAB International Press
CityNew York, NY
Accession NumberKNZ00721
Abstract

his chapter aims to (1) summarize the major factors influencing invertebrate abundance and distribution in tallgrass prairie soils, focusing on the responses of selected soil invertebrate groups to natural disturbances (such as fire, grazing and drought); (2) identify potential linkages between changes in soil communities and the effects of disturbances on key plant and soil characteristics or processes; and (3) to discuss potential effects of novel anthropogenic perturbations (altered amounts of precipitation, elevated CO2 and increased N inputs) on soil communities and processes. It focuses on North American tallgrass prairies and draws upon studies undertaken at the Konza Prairie Long-Term Ecological Research site, with results from other grasslands where appropriate.

DOI10.1079/9780851993942.0043