Naslov
Predation pressure as a variable in stage structured earthworm population model

Autori
Lončarić, Željka ; Davorka Hackenberger Kutuzović ; Branimir Hackenberger Kutuzović

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Sažeci sa skupova, sažetak, znanstveni

Izvornik
What are we linking? - Linking belowground biodiversity and ecosystem function in European forests / - Reading, 2014, 41-41

Skup
The 1st annual meeting of FP1305 Biolink

Mjesto i datum
Reading, Ujedinjeno Kraljevstvo, 04.07.2014

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Poster

Vrsta recenzije
Nije recenziran

Ključne riječi
earthworms ; matrix population model ; ecological categories ; discrete modelling

Sažetak
Earthworms are known as key organisms in soil ecosystems. Their population dynamics is influenced by many abiotic and biotic factors. However, living in the soil hinders the observation of their populations. One of the promising approaches to earthworm population dynamics research is modeling. The aim of this study was to construct a simulation model for the prediction of the abundance of earthworm population as a function of soil temperature and soil water content. The basis for the model was field data from two sampling occasions. Sampled earthworm species were grouped into ecological categories (epigeic, endogeic and anecic) according to their ecological and morphological traits. Furthermore, Lefkovitch discrete model of stage structured population dynamics was adapted to an earthworm life cycle parameters for all three earthworm ecological category and calculated with a weekly time step. Simulation of fluctuating abiotic factors at various soil depths was obtained by using the soil temperature and moisture model. Simulated values were compared with field measured data and mostly corresponded with the number of sampled earthworms with a few under- and overestimations. In the present model, as an additional parameter of population regulation a possibility of additional mortality was added. Overall average additional mortality was higher for juvenile (16.25%) than for the adult (11%) earthworms. Across the functional groups the highest additional mortality was set for epigeic earthworms (19%), while endogeic and anecic earthworms had the same additional mortality (11.14% and 11.25%, respectively). Presented approach of modeling the population dynamics of earthworms at the level of ecological categories seems promising and could reduce the laborious field work and determination of earthworm to a species level. This model could be suitable for the application in various aspects of environmental management. The inclusion of population modeling in ecological monitoring of earthworms would indicate changes in population structure and changes in the amount of various pressures on earthworm populations with less sampling.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Biologija

POVEZANOST RADA