Some studies have shown that macrofauna play an important role in decomposition and nutrient mineralization of leaf litter, however, few studies have discussed the specific contributions of mechanical fragmentation (macrofauna activity) and meso-fauna to nutrient mineralization, and their interactions with litter quality.

Prof. Yang Xiaodong and his colleagues of Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG) constructed microcosms to study the independent and interactive effects of litter quality, litter fragmentation, and Collembola abundance on the decomposition of organic matter. They chose foliar litter of two dominant tree species from a tropical seasonal rainforest located in XTBG (650–750 m in elevation, 101° 11′ E, 21° 56′ N).

They incubated soil microcosms in a laboratory experiment designed to address the following questions: 1) does Collembola abundance affect decomposition rate, C and N mineralization; 2) are the influences of Collembola on decomposition affected by litter quality; 3) does mechanical fragmentation alter the relationship among Collembola, litter quality, and microbial biomass, and hence the decomposition rate?

Their study found that mechanical fragmentation by macrofauna regulated net N loss during decomposition. Collembola contributed more to decomposition associated with fragmentation. Interaction of fragmentation and Collembola promoted mass loss and C, N mineralization. Multiple soil fauna could shape effects of litter quality on the decomposition process.

The study indicated that mechanical fragmentation and Collembola may contribute to the decomposition process of high and low quality litter through different mechanisms.

The study entitled “Mechanical fragmentation enhances the contribution of Collembola to leaf litter decomposition” has been published in European Journal of Soil Biology, 53 (2012): 23-31, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ejsobi.2012.07.006