Oribatid mites and nutrient cycling. [Nutrient release by decomposition of leaf litter]

Technical Report · Sun Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 1976

OSTI ID:7339257

Crossley, Jr, D A

Communities of oribatid mites (Cryptostigmata) in leaf litter and forest soils consist of an impressive number of individuals. Total populations of the order of 10/sup 5/ oribatids per square meter are commonly reported from forest floors. Because of their numbers, oribatids have been believed to be important contributors to the breakdown of organic detritus. Results are reported from studies of mineral or nutrient element cycling in forest floor ecosystems using radioisotopes as tracers. The phenomenon of cycling allows for the study of feedback loops among ecosystem processes, whereas energy flow is unidirectional. Evaluation of feedback loops can be a means of quantifying indirect effects of consumers. The availability of radioactive isotopes or radioactive analogs of mineral elements allows for the direct measurement of transfer rates. In decomposition studies applications of radioactive tracers have helped to identify pathways of transfer from microflora to oribatids.

• Research Organization: Georgia Univ., Athens (USA). Dept. of Entomology
• DOE Contract Number: E(38-1)-641
• OSTI ID: 7339257
• Report Number(s): SRO-641-23
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
FOREST LITTER
DECOMPOSITION
MITES
ECOLOGY
TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS
NUTRIENTS
ARTHROPODS
FOOD
FOOD CHAINS
FORESTS
METABOLISM
TRACER TECHNIQUES
UPTAKE
ANIMALS
ARACHNIDS
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
ECOSYSTEMS
INVERTEBRATES
ISOTOPE APPLICATIONS
510302* - Environment
Terrestrial- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport- Terrestrial Ecosystems & Food Chains- (-1987)