Journal: Pedobiologia

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Elsevier

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0031-4056
1873-1511

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Publications 1 - 4 of 4
  • Unveiling the hidden world beneath: A showcase of soil microorganisms at MikroMondo
    Item type: Journal Article
    Insam, Heribert; Ecker, Julia; Hug, Theo; et al. (2025)
    Pedobiologia
    MikroMondo, a forthcoming science center in Austria, will be dedicated to the fascinating world of microorganisms, with a special focus on soil and its intricate biodiversity. Designed to promote soil literacy among the public, MikroMondo will feature cutting-edge exhibits, among them Europe's tallest Winogradsky column, live demonstrations of plant-microbe interactions (e.g., mycorrhization of pine seedlings in transparent soil columns), and engaging sound-producing slime molds. These exhibits aim to captivate visitors and highlight the vital role of microorganisms in soil ecosystems. The center will also offer interactive, hands-on activities tailored for school pupils, students, and educators, designed to deepen understanding of microbiological processes such as carbon and nutrient cycling, plant-microbe symbiosis, and soil microbial diversity. Activities will include guided microscopy sessions, microbial cultivation, the creation of Winogradsky columns, and decomposition and gas production experiments. MikroMondo's innovative approach will inspire curiosity and enhance public appreciation of the hidden world beneath our feet, fostering a new generation of soil stewards and microbial enthusiasts.
  • Plant litter functional diversity effects on litter mass loss depend on the macro-detritivore community
    Item type: Journal Article
    Patoine, Guillaume; Thakur, Madhav P.; Friese, Julia; et al. (2017)
    Pedobiologia
  • Transgenic wheat with enhanced fungal resistance causes no effects on Folsomia candida (Collembola : Isotomidae)
    Item type: Journal Article
    Romeis, Jörg; Battini, Martina; Bigler, Franz (2003)
    Pedobiologia
  • Leaf-cutting ant (Atta cephalotes) nests may be hotspots of methane and carbon dioxide emissions in tropical forests
    Item type: Journal Article
    Mehring, Andrew S.; Martin, Rose M.; Delavaux, Camille S.; et al. (2021)
    Pedobiologia
    Leaf-cutting ants of the genus Atta are widely distributed throughout the American tropics and subtropics and rival other herbivores in the consumption of surrounding foliage. Although numerous studies have been conducted on the role these insects play in herbivory and organic matter dynamics, only a handful of studies have examined their impacts on soil greenhouse gas emissions. Our study investigated fluxes of carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) from three nests of Atta cephalotes using a portable greenhouse gas analyzer, and measured CO2 and CH4 emissions from soils containing nest holes that ranged 5.2–152.1 g CO2-C and −1.1 to 15,264.7 mg CH4-C m-2 day-1, respectively. Fluxes of CO2 and CH4 were positively correlated above nest holes, but not in patches of soil away from leaf-cutting ant nests. Nearby non-nest soil emissions were significantly lower, ranging from 0.6 to 6.0 g CO2-C and −1.3 to 0.77 mg CH4-C m-2 day-1. Fluxes of both gases among nests and among holes within a single nest were highly variable. This preliminary dataset is small in scale both temporarily and geographically, but the discovery of substantial greenhouse gas fluxes from Atta cephalotes nests may have important implications for carbon budgets of tropical and subtropical American forests. Further work will be necessary to determine the mechanisms behind enhanced greenhouse gas emissions from leaf-cutting ant nests, and how this may alter ecosystem-scale CO2 emissions and CH4 sink strength in tropical forest soils.
Publications 1 - 4 of 4