The role of microarthropods and nematodes in litter decomposition in a Chihuahuan desert ecosystem

Title	The role of microarthropods and nematodes in litter decomposition in a Chihuahuan desert ecosystem
Publication Type	Thesis
Year of Publication	1979
Authors	Santos PF
Number of Pages	82
Date Published	1979
University	New Mexico State University
City	Las Cruces, New Mexico
Thesis Type	Ph.D. Dissertationpp
Call Number	00278
Keywords	arthropod, SEE <MICROARTHROPOD>, decomposition,microarthropods, decomposition,nematodes, dissertation, dissertations, fungicide, insect, SEE <MICROARTHROPOD>, insecticide, Chlordane, litter decomposition, microarthropod,litter decomposition, nematicide, SEE <PESTICIDE>, nematode,litter decomposition, soil, microarthropods, theses, thesis
Abstract	Changes in the decomposer communities were monitored in early stages of decomposition of buried creosotebush litter (leaves and small stems) confined in fiberglass mesh bags. Selected inhibitors (fungicides, an insecticide and nematicide) were used to disrupt the natural equilibria of the bacteria-nematode-mite litter community in order to examine the effects of removal of parts of that community in order to examine the effects of removal of parts of that community on decomposition processes. The role of microarthropods as predators regulating decomposition has not previously been described. The probable effect of microarthropods in late stages of mixed litter decomposition is to control the microbial populations directly (by grazing on fungi and dispersing microorganisms) and indirectly (by preying on microbivorous nematodes).