1. Dr. Andrew Moldenke Dept. of Botany Oregon State University

2. Three thin-sectioned soils

3. Thin-section clear cut soil

4. Thin section mature forest soil

5. I have shown that species richness of soil arthropods is SOOO large that anyone can take a sample of forest litter (dead leaves) and soil from anywhere in the approximately 3,000 hectare Andrews Forest LTER--- and then, after identifying the arthropods, I can tell you…

6. what month of the year it was altitude soil moisture plant community slope face under which species of tree how old the forest trees are how long since the last fire how far from the nearest trunk

7. All that information (and more!) simply in a list of the relative abundance of the species

8. Creatures that live in the soil are very sensitive to abiotic and biotic factors therefore excellent for use as biological indicators. They have fantastic potential as indicators for determining human impacts on soil ecosystem function and for soil health.

9. species/m 2 individuals/m 2 forest250350,000 pasture30-60100,000 row agriculture5-102 - 20,000

10. Indicators of change in the productive potential of soil is great but I want to talk about 2 other things today. 1. Biodiversity for its own sake. We never bother to take the time to look at these organisms, but they are some of the most fascinating animals around! WOW! FANTASTIC! 2. They don’t just passively indicate “soil health” they are key players in the cycle of plant growth and soil nutrients themselves. B.P.G.T.

11. Many mites

12. EACH and EVERY SHOVEL of forest dirt = all pictures that follow 250 spp/m 2 350,000 indivs/m 2 70-80% of all arthropods in most terrestrial ecosystems 120,000 little legs (Andy’s foot) 15,000 species in Oregon

13. So, who cares? Why study bugs in soil? What do they do? they eat and they poop 1 2

14. Odontodamaeus

15. Oppiella

16. Epidamaeus

17. Long-legged near Damaeus

18. Galumna open

19. Galumna closed

20. Pterochthonius

21. Hermanniella

22. Rearing mites

23. Small / large turtle mites

24. Oribatid chelicerae

25. Mycorrhizae

26. Mycorrhiza under the Electron Microscope

27. Isotoma

28. Diagrammatic springtail (Collembola)

29. Onychiurus

31. Onychiurus, high magnification

32. Ptiliid beetle forewing

33. Protura

34. Enchytraeid

35. Suctobelbella – bacterial-feeder

36. Cydnidae – Burrowing bug

37. Symphyla

39. Cicindelid immature

40. Gamasid

41. Uropodid

42. Uropodid - facial view

43. Polyaspidid

44. Cyta

45. Onychiurus being eaten by Labidostoma

46. Symphylan being eaten by Pergamasus

47. Pergamasus feeding (high magnification)

48. Pseudoscorpion

49. Chthoniid pseudoscorpion

50. Pseudoscorpion, facial view

51. Taracus – Skunk-spider (Opilionida)

52. Sclerobunus – skunk-spider

53. Native scorpion with young

54. Spider webs

55. Spider fangs

56. Callobius

57. Pardosa

58. Micro-spider, male

59. Antrodiaetus

60. Omus Cicindela

61. Staphylinidae

62. Lithobiidae

63. Geophilid

64. Centipede fangs

65. Ant head

66. Snail-feeding beetle

67. Snail-feeder, immature

68. Taracus - Opilionid

69. Glowworm eating millipede Millipede segments

70. Diapriid wasp – Diptera parasite

71. Rhododendron decomposition

72. Millipede jaws

73. Schematic of millipede jaw

74. Harpaphe mating swarm

75. Leaf skeletonization

76. Isopod

77. Pen-knife mite

78. Pen-knife mite, closed

79. Collohmannia nymphs

80. Leaf skeletonized by Collohmannia

81. Bacteria eaten by fungus

82. Soil and Plant Growth Microbial biomass (bacteria, fungi) (nutrient immobilization) In the short-term (minutes to years) the USEFUL nutrient content of soils is basically equivalent to the amount of nutrient incorporated into living microbial tissue. (Most nutrients in mineral soil are long-term resources)

83. Soil and Plant Growth Microbial biomass (bacteria, fungi) (nutrient immobilization) Microbes grow by producing exoenzymes that decompose the organic (+) material in the soil more bacteria more decomposition

84. Soil and Plant Growth Microbial biomass (bacteria, fungi) (nutrient immobilization) Nutrient availability in dead/decaying organic matter is limited by surface area for exoenzyme attack “shredding” increases surface area; therefore shredding animals (like millipedes) indirectly regulate rate of decomposition and microbial growth (example: 450x) plant biomass

85. Soil and Plant Growth Microbial biomass (bacteria, fungi) (nutrient immobilization) roots are completely passive for nutrient uptake shredders ?

86. Soil and Plant Growth Microbial biomass (bacteria, fungi) (nutrient immobilization) nutrient uptake shredders (surface area) bug poop (nutrient mineralization) nearly all nutrients mineralized by microbivory are assimilated by the remaining microbes. Surface area (microbes) surface area (roots) Plants only can assimilate nutrients released in the rhizophere Protozoa, Nematoda, Arthropoda

87. Anderson Millipede soil mineralization

88. Onion cultivation