CiteScore 2020: 1.5
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SNIP 2020: 0.640
ISSN: 1336-5266 (Print)
ISSN: 1338-7014 (Online)
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Folia Oecologica
Editor-in-Chief: Milan Barna
Deputy Editor: Miroslav Saniga
Executive Editor: Katarína Sládeková
Folia Oecologica, an international scientific journal, is a continuation of the journal Folia dendrologica published within the years 1974–1997. It publishes peer rewied articles covering all aspects of both theoretical and applied ecology and related interdisciplinary fields (nature conservation, forestry, agriculture, ecological economics etc.). The Journal publishes full-text papers, short communications and review articles. Folia Oecologica is indexed/covered in Elsevier Products (Scopus™), Web of Science and other databases.
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Foxx, Alicia J; Wojcik, Siobhán T Plasticity in response to soil texture affects the relationships between a shoot and root trait and responses vary by population Journal Article Folia Oecologica, 48 (2), pp. 199 - 204, 2021. @article{Foxx2021, title = {Plasticity in response to soil texture affects the relationships between a shoot and root trait and responses vary by population}, author = {Alicia J. Foxx and Siobhán T. Wojcik}, url = {http://ife.sk/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/foecol-2021-0008-1.pdf}, doi = {10.2478/foecol-2021-0020}, year = {2021}, date = {2021-07-31}, journal = {Folia Oecologica}, volume = {48}, number = {2}, pages = {199 - 204}, abstract = {The relationships between shoot and root traits can inform plant selection for restoration, forestry, and agriculture and help to identify relationships that inform plant productivity and enhance their performance. But the strength of coordination between above- and belowground morphological and physiological traits varies due to differences in edaphic properties and population variation. More assessments are needed to determine what conditions influence these relationships. So, we tested whether plant population and soil texture affect the relationship between shoot and root traits which have important ecological ramifications for competition and resource capture: shoot height and root tip production. We grew seedlings of two populations of Bromus tectorum due to is fast growing nature in a growth chamber in loam soil, sand, and clay. We found variation in height by plant population and the substrate used (R2 = 0.44, p < 0.0001), and variation in root tip production by the substrate used (R2 = 0.33, p < 0.0001). Importantly, we found that relationships between shoot height and root tip production varied by soil texture and population (R2 = 0.54, p < 0.0001), and growth in sand produced the strongest relationship and was the most water deficient substrate (R2 = 0.32). This shows that screening populations under several environments influences appropriate plant selection.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } The relationships between shoot and root traits can inform plant selection for restoration, forestry, and agriculture and help to identify relationships that inform plant productivity and enhance their performance. But the strength of coordination between above- and belowground morphological and physiological traits varies due to differences in edaphic properties and population variation. More assessments are needed to determine what conditions influence these relationships. So, we tested whether plant population and soil texture affect the relationship between shoot and root traits which have important ecological ramifications for competition and resource capture: shoot height and root tip production. We grew seedlings of two populations of Bromus tectorum due to is fast growing nature in a growth chamber in loam soil, sand, and clay. We found variation in height by plant population and the substrate used (R2 = 0.44, p < 0.0001), and variation in root tip production by the substrate used (R2 = 0.33, p < 0.0001). Importantly, we found that relationships between shoot height and root tip production varied by soil texture and population (R2 = 0.54, p < 0.0001), and growth in sand produced the strongest relationship and was the most water deficient substrate (R2 = 0.32). This shows that screening populations under several environments influences appropriate plant selection. |
Koshelev, Olexander; Koshelev, Vasiliy; Fedushko, Marina; Zhukov, Olexander Annual course of temperature and precipitation as proximal predictors of birds’ responses to climatic changes on the species and community level Journal Article Folia Oecologica, 48 (2), pp. 118 - 135, 2021. @article{Koshelev2021, title = {Annual course of temperature and precipitation as proximal predictors of birds’ responses to climatic changes on the species and community level}, author = {Olexander Koshelev and Vasiliy Koshelev and Marina Fedushko and Olexander Zhukov}, url = {http://ife.sk/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/foecol-2021-0001-1.pdf}, doi = {10.2478/foecol-2021-0013}, year = {2021}, date = {2021-07-31}, journal = {Folia Oecologica}, volume = {48}, number = {2}, pages = {118 - 135}, abstract = {The study was conducted in the landscapes of south-eastern Ukraine during the nesting seasons 1988–2018. Within the landscape system associated with the Molochny Estuary, the ten most important ecosystem types were investigated, including the following: agricultural land, vegetated strips, meadows, islands and spits, reedbeds, urban areas, salt marshes, steppe, cliffs, artificial forests. Bird species responded to temperature and precipitation gradients. The patterns of responses were presented using Huisman, Olff and Fresco expanded by the Jansen-Oksanen hierarchical models. The nature of species response in the gradient of temperature or precipitation conditions depends on the type of particular ecosystem and is not uniform for all populations inhabiting the different landscape types. The bird communities were revealed to demonstrate an abrupt dynamic over time. The continuous changes in community structure initiated by the external environmental factors are combined with modifications of internal biotic interactions, which may lead to abrupt reorganization of the community.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } The study was conducted in the landscapes of south-eastern Ukraine during the nesting seasons 1988–2018. Within the landscape system associated with the Molochny Estuary, the ten most important ecosystem types were investigated, including the following: agricultural land, vegetated strips, meadows, islands and spits, reedbeds, urban areas, salt marshes, steppe, cliffs, artificial forests. Bird species responded to temperature and precipitation gradients. The patterns of responses were presented using Huisman, Olff and Fresco expanded by the Jansen-Oksanen hierarchical models. The nature of species response in the gradient of temperature or precipitation conditions depends on the type of particular ecosystem and is not uniform for all populations inhabiting the different landscape types. The bird communities were revealed to demonstrate an abrupt dynamic over time. The continuous changes in community structure initiated by the external environmental factors are combined with modifications of internal biotic interactions, which may lead to abrupt reorganization of the community. |
Karlin, Marcos Sebastián; Arnulphi, Sebastián Abel; Salazar, Javier Rodolfo Bernasconi Folia Oecologica, 48 (1), pp. 9-24, 2021. @article{Karlin2021, title = {Mid-term changes in the physiognomy of plant communities and functional plant groups define successional pathways of mountain vegetation in the province of Córdoba (Argentina)}, author = {Marcos Sebastián Karlin and Sebastián Abel Arnulphi and Javier Rodolfo Bernasconi Salazar}, url = {http://ife.sk/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/foecol-2021-0002.pdf}, doi = {10.2478/foecol-2021-0002}, year = {2021}, date = {2021-02-01}, journal = {Folia Oecologica}, volume = {48}, number = {1}, pages = {9-24}, abstract = {To identify restoration strategies over degraded semi-natural plant communities, successional pathways and their local controls should be identified. The objective of this work is to quantify the changes in the physiognomy and functional groups of plant communities in the Sierras Chicas of Córdoba along seven years. Lyapunov coefficients were calculated and arranged in two-phase diagrams, identifying different successional pathways over two soil categories and six plant communities. Du Rietz`s life forms were identified defining several plant functional groups. Results showed two successional pathways in the field of azonal soils and three in the field of intrazonal soils. Rainfall, extent of human-caused disturbances, and plant interactions are the leading causes explaining the changes in the structure of the plant communities. Fire and overgrazing retract the successions by altering the cover of plant communities and their functional groups.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } To identify restoration strategies over degraded semi-natural plant communities, successional pathways and their local controls should be identified. The objective of this work is to quantify the changes in the physiognomy and functional groups of plant communities in the Sierras Chicas of Córdoba along seven years. Lyapunov coefficients were calculated and arranged in two-phase diagrams, identifying different successional pathways over two soil categories and six plant communities. Du Rietz`s life forms were identified defining several plant functional groups. Results showed two successional pathways in the field of azonal soils and three in the field of intrazonal soils. Rainfall, extent of human-caused disturbances, and plant interactions are the leading causes explaining the changes in the structure of the plant communities. Fire and overgrazing retract the successions by altering the cover of plant communities and their functional groups. |
Hlôška, L; Chovancová, B; Chovancová, G; Fleischer, P Folia Oecologica, 43 (1), pp. 12-20, 2016, ISSN: 1336-5266. @article{Hlôška2016, title = {Influence of climatic factors on the population dynamics of small mammals (Rodentia, Soricomorpha) on the sites affected by windthrow in the High Tatra Mts}, author = {L. Hlôška and B. Chovancová and G. Chovancová and P. Fleischer}, url = {http://ife.sk/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/FO_v43_iss1_12to20.pdf}, issn = {1336-5266}, year = {2016}, date = {2016-01-01}, journal = {Folia Oecologica}, volume = {43}, number = {1}, pages = {12-20}, abstract = {Climatic factors and related changes of the temperature, humidity and sunshine demonstrably affect the population dynamics of small mammals. This complex influence gets more intense in the case of natural and anthropic disturbances which occurred in the forest ecosystems of the High Tatra Mts in 2014 (wind calamity) and in 2015 (forest fire). During the period of research in 2005–2015, we were observing successive changes in the species composition, abundance and spatio-temporal distribution of small mammals on the seven permanent research areas by using the CMR method. Besides the changes of selected habitat variables, we were also continually measuring values of meteorological elements (such as air and soil temperature, relative air and soil humidity, thickness and duration of snow cover). Statistical testing of the thickness and duration of snow cover proved significant influence of these factors on the population dynamics of small rodents (Rodentia) and shrews (Soricomorpha). Winters with a thicker snow cover and longer snow periods had a positive effect on the reproduction and surviving of both taxonomic groups in the subsequent vegetation season. We have discovered the positive correlation between the temperature and the quantity dynamics of dominant small rodents while shrews responded to higher temperatures with less spatio-temporal activity. Gradient analysis of the complex influence of measured meteorological elements proved species-specific differences in the responses of small mammals to the current and conditions of weather indicated by ecological requirements of plant species within a specific habitat.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } Climatic factors and related changes of the temperature, humidity and sunshine demonstrably affect the population dynamics of small mammals. This complex influence gets more intense in the case of natural and anthropic disturbances which occurred in the forest ecosystems of the High Tatra Mts in 2014 (wind calamity) and in 2015 (forest fire). During the period of research in 2005–2015, we were observing successive changes in the species composition, abundance and spatio-temporal distribution of small mammals on the seven permanent research areas by using the CMR method. Besides the changes of selected habitat variables, we were also continually measuring values of meteorological elements (such as air and soil temperature, relative air and soil humidity, thickness and duration of snow cover). Statistical testing of the thickness and duration of snow cover proved significant influence of these factors on the population dynamics of small rodents (Rodentia) and shrews (Soricomorpha). Winters with a thicker snow cover and longer snow periods had a positive effect on the reproduction and surviving of both taxonomic groups in the subsequent vegetation season. We have discovered the positive correlation between the temperature and the quantity dynamics of dominant small rodents while shrews responded to higher temperatures with less spatio-temporal activity. Gradient analysis of the complex influence of measured meteorological elements proved species-specific differences in the responses of small mammals to the current and conditions of weather indicated by ecological requirements of plant species within a specific habitat. |
THE TOP CITED PAPERS OF 2018-2020 ISSUES
Paulin, Márton; Hirka, Anikó; Eötvös, Csaba Béla; Gáspár, Csaba; Fürjes-Mikó, Ágnes; Csóka, György Known and predicted impacts of the invasive oak lace bug (Corythucha arcuata) in European oak ecosystems – a review Journal Article Folia Oecologica, 47 (2), pp. 131-139, 2020. @article{Paulin2020, title = {Known and predicted impacts of the invasive oak lace bug (Corythucha arcuata) in European oak ecosystems – a review}, author = {Márton Paulin and Anikó Hirka and Csaba Béla Eötvös and Csaba Gáspár and Ágnes Fürjes-Mikó and György Csóka}, url = {http://ife.sk/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/foecol-2020-0006.pdf}, doi = {10.2478/foecol-2020-0015}, year = {2020}, date = {2020-11-24}, journal = {Folia Oecologica}, volume = {47}, number = {2}, pages = {131-139}, abstract = {The North American oak lace bug (OLB, Corythucha arcuata) was first found in Europe in northern Italy in 2000, and up to 2019 it was recorded in 20 countries. Almost all Eurasian deciduous oak species are suitable hosts and the species can also feed on many other woody plants. At least 30 million hectares of oak forests provide suitable hosts for the OLB, meaning that the lack of suitable hosts will not restrict its further spread. Detailed studies on the long-term impact of the species are not yet available but there are many good reasons to assume that it poses multiple threats to oaks and oak ecosystems. In the long term, it may have negative effects on oak health, growth, and acorn crops. Many of other oak-associated species will likely also be negatively affected. So far, no effective and environmentally tolerable large scale control method is known for OLB.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } The North American oak lace bug (OLB, Corythucha arcuata) was first found in Europe in northern Italy in 2000, and up to 2019 it was recorded in 20 countries. Almost all Eurasian deciduous oak species are suitable hosts and the species can also feed on many other woody plants. At least 30 million hectares of oak forests provide suitable hosts for the OLB, meaning that the lack of suitable hosts will not restrict its further spread. Detailed studies on the long-term impact of the species are not yet available but there are many good reasons to assume that it poses multiple threats to oaks and oak ecosystems. In the long term, it may have negative effects on oak health, growth, and acorn crops. Many of other oak-associated species will likely also be negatively affected. So far, no effective and environmentally tolerable large scale control method is known for OLB. |
Zhukov, Oleksandr V; Kunah, Olga M; Dubinina, Yuliya Y; Fedushko, Marina P; Kotsun, Vadim I; Zhukova, Yuliya O; Potapenko, Olena V Folia Oecologica, 46 (2), pp. 101–114, 2019, ISSN: 1336-5266. @article{Zhukov2019, title = {Tree canopy affects soil macrofauna spatial patterns on broad- and meso- scale levels in an Eastern European poplar-willow forest in the floodplain of the River Dnipro}, author = {Oleksandr V. Zhukov and Olga M. Kunah and Yuliya Y. Dubinina and Marina P. Fedushko and Vadim I. Kotsun and Yuliya O. Zhukova and Olena V. Potapenko}, url = {http://ife.sk/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/foecol-2019-0004-1.pdf}, doi = {10.2478/foecol-2019-0013}, issn = {1336-5266}, year = {2019}, date = {2019-01-01}, journal = {Folia Oecologica}, volume = {46}, number = {2}, pages = {101–114}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } |
Saisamorn, Apinya; Duengkae, Prateep; Pattanavibool, Anak; Duangchantrasiri, Somphot; Simcharoen, Achara; Smith, James L D Folia Oecologica, 46 (2), pp. 73–82, 2019, ISSN: 1336-5266. @article{Saisamorn2019, title = {Spatial and temporal analysis of leopards (Panthera pardus), their prey and tigers (Panthera tigris) in Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, Thailand}, author = {Apinya Saisamorn and Prateep Duengkae and Anak Pattanavibool and Somphot Duangchantrasiri and Achara Simcharoen and James L.D. Smith}, url = {http://ife.sk/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/foecol-2019-0001.pdf}, doi = {10.2478/foecol-2019-0010}, issn = {1336-5266}, year = {2019}, date = {2019-01-01}, journal = {Folia Oecologica}, volume = {46}, number = {2}, pages = {73–82}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } |
Zadorozhnaya, G A; Andrusevych, K V; Zhukov, O V Soil heterogeneity after recultivation: ecological aspect Journal Article Folia Oecologica, 45 (1), pp. 46-52, 2018, ISSN: 1336-5266. @article{Zadorozhnaya2018, title = {Soil heterogeneity after recultivation: ecological aspect}, author = {G.A. Zadorozhnaya and K.V Andrusevych and O.V. Zhukov}, url = {http://ife.sk/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/foecol-2018-0005.pdf}, doi = {10.2478/foecol-2018-0005}, issn = {1336-5266}, year = {2018}, date = {2018-01-01}, journal = {Folia Oecologica}, volume = {45}, number = {1}, pages = {46-52}, abstract = {The study subject was the soil heterogeneity at a recultivation site Nikopol manganese-ore basin (Pokrov, Ukraine). The soils at the locality are sod lithogenic soils developed on gray-green clays. The study ran by applying soil penetration resistance indices. The penetration resistance was measured across a regular grid of 7 × 15 points (21 × 45 m). The distance between the measurement points was 3 m. The parameters were recorded at every 5 cm to a depth of 50 cm. The environmental parameters were determined by phytoindication. Geostatistical analysis showed the average level of spatial dependence of soil penetration resistance. According to the features of the profile variation in penetration resistance with the depth, the measurement points have been divided into three clusters. The clusters formed morphologically homogeneous soil areas. These areas significantly differed in their soil acidity and in nitrogen content in soil.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } The study subject was the soil heterogeneity at a recultivation site Nikopol manganese-ore basin (Pokrov, Ukraine). The soils at the locality are sod lithogenic soils developed on gray-green clays. The study ran by applying soil penetration resistance indices. The penetration resistance was measured across a regular grid of 7 × 15 points (21 × 45 m). The distance between the measurement points was 3 m. The parameters were recorded at every 5 cm to a depth of 50 cm. The environmental parameters were determined by phytoindication. Geostatistical analysis showed the average level of spatial dependence of soil penetration resistance. According to the features of the profile variation in penetration resistance with the depth, the measurement points have been divided into three clusters. The clusters formed morphologically homogeneous soil areas. These areas significantly differed in their soil acidity and in nitrogen content in soil. |
Martynov, V O; Brygadyrenko, V V The impact of some inorganic substances on change in body mass of Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae) larvae in a laboratory experiment Journal Article Folia Oecologica, 45 (1), pp. 24-32, 2018, ISSN: 1336-5266. @article{Martynov2018, title = {The impact of some inorganic substances on change in body mass of Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae) larvae in a laboratory experiment}, author = {V.O. Martynov and V.V. Brygadyrenko}, url = {http://ife.sk/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/foecol-2018-0003.pdf}, doi = {10.2478/foecol-2018-0003}, issn = {1336-5266}, year = {2018}, date = {2018-01-01}, journal = {Folia Oecologica}, volume = {45}, number = {1}, pages = {24-32}, abstract = {Addition of low concentrations of metal ions to the diet of saprophagous insects can impact on their metabolism over a short period of time, causing an increase or decrease in their body mass. This article presents a 14-day laboratory experiment evaluating the changes in the body mass of larval stage 3 of Tenebrio molitor (Linnaeus, 1758) induced by adding different inorganic substances (350 mg kg–1 of dry fodder) to the diet of the larvae. Following the addition of inorganic substances to the fodder, the most marked differences compared to the control were observed in the groups which consumed substrate with lead nitrate (the mass of the larvae increased on average by 102.6% compared to increase in mass in the control variant of the experiments), cobalt nitrate (by 96.9%), calcium chloride (by 89.1%) sodium triphosphate (by 86.0%), zinc chloride (by 83.5%). A nonsignificant effect (a tendency of increase in the body mass) on T. molitor larvae was caused by manganese sulfate (by 57.8%), aluminium nitrate (by 57.3%), iron oxide (by 51.5%), barium nitrate (by 47.9%), orthophosphoric acid (by 47.4%), manganese chloride (by 46.5%), calcium carbonate (by 27.7%), iron sulfate (by 24.2%) and ammonium heptamolybdate (by –7.5%). Therefore, 5 out of the 15 studied inorganic substances significantly stimulated the increase in the body weight of T. molitor larvae, and 7 manifested these capacities at the level of tendency (stimulated an increase in body weight averaging 43–58% over the 14-day experiment). The obtained data indicate a necessity for further study on the impact of inorganic pollutants on different stages of insects.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } Addition of low concentrations of metal ions to the diet of saprophagous insects can impact on their metabolism over a short period of time, causing an increase or decrease in their body mass. This article presents a 14-day laboratory experiment evaluating the changes in the body mass of larval stage 3 of Tenebrio molitor (Linnaeus, 1758) induced by adding different inorganic substances (350 mg kg–1 of dry fodder) to the diet of the larvae. Following the addition of inorganic substances to the fodder, the most marked differences compared to the control were observed in the groups which consumed substrate with lead nitrate (the mass of the larvae increased on average by 102.6% compared to increase in mass in the control variant of the experiments), cobalt nitrate (by 96.9%), calcium chloride (by 89.1%) sodium triphosphate (by 86.0%), zinc chloride (by 83.5%). A nonsignificant effect (a tendency of increase in the body mass) on T. molitor larvae was caused by manganese sulfate (by 57.8%), aluminium nitrate (by 57.3%), iron oxide (by 51.5%), barium nitrate (by 47.9%), orthophosphoric acid (by 47.4%), manganese chloride (by 46.5%), calcium carbonate (by 27.7%), iron sulfate (by 24.2%) and ammonium heptamolybdate (by –7.5%). Therefore, 5 out of the 15 studied inorganic substances significantly stimulated the increase in the body weight of T. molitor larvae, and 7 manifested these capacities at the level of tendency (stimulated an increase in body weight averaging 43–58% over the 14-day experiment). The obtained data indicate a necessity for further study on the impact of inorganic pollutants on different stages of insects. |
Maltsev, Y; Maltseva, I The influence of forest-forming tree species on diversity and spatial distribution of algae in forest litter Journal Article Folia Oecologica, 45 (2), pp. 72-81, 2018, ISBN: 1336-5266. @article{Maltsev2018, title = {The influence of forest-forming tree species on diversity and spatial distribution of algae in forest litter}, author = {Y. Maltsev and I. Maltseva}, url = {http://ife.sk/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/foecol_2018_0002.pdf}, isbn = {1336-5266}, year = {2018}, date = {2018-01-01}, journal = {Folia Oecologica}, volume = {45}, number = {2}, pages = {72-81}, abstract = {The forest litter plays a significant role in forest ecosystems. The composition of the litter biota comprises micro- and mesofauna, and a great diversity of microorganisms, including unrecognized algae (eukaryotic representatives and Cyanoprokaryota). The aim of this work was to study the diversity of algae in the different types of forest litters and to clarify the relationship between the algae composition and the forest-forming tree species. Our results show that the pine forest litter is the most appropriate habitat for the development of green and yellow-green algae and that this litter type limits the variety of blue-green ones. The admixture of deciduous leaf litter to pine litter caused an increase in the species richness of blue-green algae and diatoms. The algae were unevenly distributed across the sub-horizons of pine litter. The highest species richness of algae was identified in the enzymatic sub-horizon of litter. The peculiarity of the composition of leaf litter algae was a significant variety of green, yellow-green and blue-green algae. The spatial organization of algae communities in the leaf litter was characterized by equal distribution of algae species in the litter-subhorizons.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } The forest litter plays a significant role in forest ecosystems. The composition of the litter biota comprises micro- and mesofauna, and a great diversity of microorganisms, including unrecognized algae (eukaryotic representatives and Cyanoprokaryota). The aim of this work was to study the diversity of algae in the different types of forest litters and to clarify the relationship between the algae composition and the forest-forming tree species. Our results show that the pine forest litter is the most appropriate habitat for the development of green and yellow-green algae and that this litter type limits the variety of blue-green ones. The admixture of deciduous leaf litter to pine litter caused an increase in the species richness of blue-green algae and diatoms. The algae were unevenly distributed across the sub-horizons of pine litter. The highest species richness of algae was identified in the enzymatic sub-horizon of litter. The peculiarity of the composition of leaf litter algae was a significant variety of green, yellow-green and blue-green algae. The spatial organization of algae communities in the leaf litter was characterized by equal distribution of algae species in the litter-subhorizons. |
Zhukov, O V; Kunah, O M; Dubinina, Y Y; Novikova, V O The role of edaphic, vegetational and spatial factors in structuring soil animal communities in a floodplain forest of the Dnipro river Journal Article Folia Oecologica, 45 (1), pp. 8-23, 2018, ISSN: 1336-5266. @article{Zhukov2018, title = {The role of edaphic, vegetational and spatial factors in structuring soil animal communities in a floodplain forest of the Dnipro river}, author = {O.V. Zhukov and O.M. Kunah and Y.Y. Dubinina and V.O. Novikova}, url = {http://ife.sk/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/foecol-2018-0002.pdf}, doi = {10.2478/foecol-2018-0002}, issn = {1336-5266}, year = {2018}, date = {2018-01-01}, journal = {Folia Oecologica}, volume = {45}, number = {1}, pages = {8-23}, abstract = {This paper examines the role of ecological factors, derived from principal component analysis performed on edaphic and vegetational dataset as well as spatial variables, in structuring the soil macrofauna community of the Dnipro floodplain within the ‘Dnipro-Orilsky’ Nature Reserve (Ukraine). The soil macrofauna was defined as invertebrates visible to the naked eye (macroscopic organisms). The test points formed a regular grid with a mesh size of 3 m with 7 × 15 dimensions. Thus, the total test point number was 105. At each point, soil-zoological samples of 0.25 × 0.25 m were taken for quantifying the soil macrofauna. The spatial structure was modeled by a set of independent spatial patterns obtained by means of principal coordinates of neighbor matrices analysis (PCNM-variables). Spatial PCNM-variables explain significantly more variations of the community (19.9%) than edaphic factors (4.1%) and vegetation factors (3.2%). Spatial and combined environmental and spatial effects were divided into three components: broad-scale component was characterized by periodicity of spatial variation with a wavelength of 24.0–44.5 m, medium-scale – 11.1–20 m, fine-scale 6.6–11.0 m. For a broad-scale component, environmental factors of a vegetational nature are more important, for medium-scale, edaphic factors are more important, for fine-scale, both vegetation and edaphic are important. For litter-dwelling animals, the most characteristic spatial patterns are on the broad and medium-scale levels. For endogeic and anecic animals, the most significant variability is on the fine-scale level.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } This paper examines the role of ecological factors, derived from principal component analysis performed on edaphic and vegetational dataset as well as spatial variables, in structuring the soil macrofauna community of the Dnipro floodplain within the ‘Dnipro-Orilsky’ Nature Reserve (Ukraine). The soil macrofauna was defined as invertebrates visible to the naked eye (macroscopic organisms). The test points formed a regular grid with a mesh size of 3 m with 7 × 15 dimensions. Thus, the total test point number was 105. At each point, soil-zoological samples of 0.25 × 0.25 m were taken for quantifying the soil macrofauna. The spatial structure was modeled by a set of independent spatial patterns obtained by means of principal coordinates of neighbor matrices analysis (PCNM-variables). Spatial PCNM-variables explain significantly more variations of the community (19.9%) than edaphic factors (4.1%) and vegetation factors (3.2%). Spatial and combined environmental and spatial effects were divided into three components: broad-scale component was characterized by periodicity of spatial variation with a wavelength of 24.0–44.5 m, medium-scale – 11.1–20 m, fine-scale 6.6–11.0 m. For a broad-scale component, environmental factors of a vegetational nature are more important, for medium-scale, edaphic factors are more important, for fine-scale, both vegetation and edaphic are important. For litter-dwelling animals, the most characteristic spatial patterns are on the broad and medium-scale levels. For endogeic and anecic animals, the most significant variability is on the fine-scale level. |
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