Morphological investigation in two moder-humus profiles and the role of the soil fauna in their genesis
1970; Elsevier BV; Volume: 4; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1016/0016-7061(70)90030-3
ISSN1872-6259
Autores Tópico(s)Isotope Analysis in Ecology
ResumoThe humus profile is defined as the morphologic feature in the soil profile as a result of the decomposition of litter beginning at its deposition on the soil surface and ending with mineralization. Macro- and micromorphologically, two humus profiles arisen from litter from Red oak and from Douglas fir respectively were studied. From the two humus profiles the soil-fauna was analysed. The feeding-biology of the most important saprophagous species was studied in cultures. Not only the choice of food was determined but especially morphologic characteristics as feeding-patterns and excrements were noted. With the aid of these results the genesis of both humus profiles could be explained. The influence of the quality of the litter upon the composition of the soil fauna, the speed of deyouring the litter (“Vermoderung”) and the way in which the soil fauna consumes the litter was obvious. Two phenomena are especially studied. These are specifically “ageing” of excrements and displacement of organic particles in the humus profile.
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