Abstract
Prostigmatid mites were the most numerous microarthropods in the rhizosphere of decomposing roots. There were no consistent differences in species or abundances due to water supplementation or related to species of roots. After 1 month of supplementation the microarthropod population densities in the rhizosphere exceeded 1000 ind. × 500 cm-3 of soil mostly acarids and pygmephorids. Small fungivorous mites were the most abundant in the rhizosphere of decomposing roots for the remainder of the study. Desert soil microarthropod populations are apparently limited by food availability, not by soil moisture. Generalist-fungivores are the most abundant taxa of soil microarthropods associated with decaying roots and may be important in nutrient mineralization from decaying roots. -from Authors
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 147-155 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | Pedobiologia |
| Volume | 31 |
| Issue number | 3-4 |
| State | Published - 1988 |
| Externally published | Yes |