Journal of Coastal Zone Management

Abstract

Effects of Plant Functional Types Substrates on Soil Arthropod Community in Coastal Urban Wetlands

Ortiz-Ramírez Gloria*, Hernández-Figueroa Elix, Pinto-Pacheco Solimar and Cuevas Elvira

This research examined the effects of plant functional types, via associated litter quantity and quality, on soil arthropods community structure and composition in a tropical urban coastal wetland. Substrate samples were collected from four plant functional types—tree, shrub, grass, fern—during different hydroperiod conditions in 2020 and 2021 and were processed using lighted Tullgren–Berlese extractors. Carbon-to-nitrogen ratios (C:N ratio), along with carbon and nitrogen contents, were measured for each sample. The study demonstrated statistically significant associations between the mass of loose litter, the carbon (%C) and nitrogen (%N) content of the substrate, and the richness and abundance of soil arthropods. The mass of loose litter exerted a more pronounced influence on both richness and abundance. A succession of taxa-dependent interactions related to C:N ratio was quantified, demonstrating how common, rare, and dominant groups interact, thus illustrating the complex interplay among different soil arthropod taxa. Soil arthropod trophic guild densities peaked in both the equilibrium (C:N ratio between 20:1 and 30:1) and immobilization (C:N ratio>30:1) phases of decomposition, with a distinct separation from the mineralization phase (C:N ratio<20:1) highlighting the sensitivity of these communities to nitrogen availability and the crucial role of primary and secondary decomposers in ecosystem processes. This research enhances our understanding of the intricate ecological interconnections between plant litter attributes, environmental hydroperiods, and soil arthropod biodiversity, emphasizing the integral role of vegetation and water in shaping soil ecosystem dynamics. It offers valuable insights for ecosystem management and conservation strategies aimed at preserving biodiversity and ecosystem functionality in wetland environments.

Published Date: 2024-05-16; Received Date: 2024-04-10