Knowledge
on
the
trophic
niche
of
animal
species
is
important
for
understanding
their
coexistence
and
hence
diversity.
Trophic
niches
have
been
shown
to
vary
with
environmental
conditions,
but
consequences
shifts
food-web
structure
functioning
little
studied
this
applies
in
particular
belowground
communities.
Here,
using
stable
isotopes
(15N,
13C),
we
investigated
oribatid
mites
as
model
soil
taxon
along
elevational
gradients
two
mountain
ranges
Eurasia,
Alps
Austria
Changbai
Mountain
China.
The
results
showed
pronounced
differences
use
basal
resources
(Δ13C
values)
positions
(Δ15N
between
mountains
due
different
parent
rock
calcareous
soils
basalt
bedrock
Mountain.
Further,
changed
altitude,
primarily
related
changes
litter
quality.
Differences
were
functional
traits
such
body
mass
reproductive
mode.
Generally,
isotope
values
closely
correlated
underlining
importance
morphological
characteristics
well
variations
niches.
Moreover,
differed
parthenogenetic
sexual
species,
depended
rock,
higher
plasticity
Overall,
our
findings
highlight
decisive
role
structuring
montane
food
webs
provide
novel
insight
into
factors
responsible
invertebrates.
Mountain
forests
play
a
major
role
for
biodiversity
conservation,
carbon
storage
and
hydrological
cycling.
Therefore,
understanding
different
components
of
mountain
forest
ecosystems
is
essential
to
predict
potential
responses
global
climate
change.
To
study
such
responses,
the
investigation
elevational
gradients
an
important
tool
as
they
comprise
wide
range
climatic
variables
on
small
spatial
scale.
While
changes
in
aboveground
along
have
been
studied
intensively,
information
belowground
systems
scarce.
Besides
studies
focusing
litter
decomposition,
there
few
comprehensive
data
available
how
food
web
functioning
across
elevations.
The
soil
component
nutrient
cycling
within
thereby
linked
mineralization
rates
tree
growth.
In
this
thesis
I
investigated
microbial
resources,
trophic
microarthropods
general
functional
Collembola
communities
gradient
(800
–
1700
m
asl)
primary
Changbai
Mountain,
China.
We
established
seven
sites
spaced
by
steps
150
at
northern
slope
Mountain.
characterized
dominated
Korean
pine
with
decreasing
admixtures
deciduous
species
(<1100
dark-bark
spruce
(>1100
asl).
were
sampled
early
September
2019,
before
fall
began.
scope
understand
interactions
among
change
elevation.
Chapter
2
we
focused
characterization
community
composition
elevations
microbes
are
agents
decomposition
form
resource
animal
decomposers.
Microbial
using
phospholipid
fatty
acid
(PLFA)
profiles,
biomass
activity
measured
substrate-induced
respiration.
Our
results
suggest
that
heavily
influenced
showed
strong
turnover
layer,
most
pronounced
transition
zone
between
two
types
(1100
1250
only
temperature
seasonality
significantly
structured
PLFA
profiles
precipitation
seasonality,
availability,
moisture,
Ca
concentrations
pH
soil.
Indicators
stress
higher
layer
elevations,
both
correlated
negatively
indicating
increased
nutritional
high
low
availability.
3
report
positions
Oribatida
group
level,
bulk
amino
stable
isotopes,
increase
increasing
Further,
ratios
biomass.
energy
channels,
13C
values
acids
neutral
lipid
(NLFA),
other
hand,
did
not
suggesting
fungi
be
resources
whole
gradient.
4
targeted
level.
contributing
80%
abundance
per
elevation
categorized
into
life
forms
their
individual
body
lengths
isotopes
measured.
Abundance
weighted
mean
minimum
Δ15N
well
Δ13C
elevation,
while
decreased.
Isotopic
uniqueness,
measure
isolated
niches,
occurring
all
being
cosmopolitan
Folsomia
octoculata.
Shifts
depended
litter-dwelling,
hemiedaphic
species.
further
found
size
depend
form,
euedaphic
species,
but
epedaphic
reported
indicate
shifts
towards
more
secondary
decomposers
these
likely
determined
which
represent
availability
resources.
indeed
decrease
indicated
These
(especially)
niches
accessibility
quality
litter,
2.
traits,
represented
size,
determine
capability
access
alternative
suggested
presented
4.
This
first
detailed
therefore
contributes
ecosystems.
Like
mountainous
world,
annual
temperatures
decreased
over
last
decades.
According
dependence
local
factors,
may
future
from
lower
expand
There
urgent
need
comparable
including
seasons
verify
implications
our
come
up
statements.
represents
starting
point
studies.
Knowledge
on
the
trophic
niche
of
animal
species
is
important
for
understanding
their
coexistence
and
hence
diversity.
Trophic
niches
have
been
shown
to
vary
with
environmental
conditions,
but
consequences
shifts
food-web
structure
functioning
little
studied
this
applies
in
particular
belowground
communities.
Here,
using
stable
isotopes
(15N,
13C),
we
investigated
oribatid
mites
as
model
soil
taxon
along
elevational
gradients
two
mountain
ranges
Eurasia,
Alps
Austria
Changbai
Mountain
China.
The
results
showed
pronounced
differences
use
basal
resources
(Δ13C
values)
positions
(Δ15N
between
mountains
due
different
parent
rock
calcareous
soils
basalt
bedrock
Mountain.
Further,
changed
altitude,
primarily
related
changes
litter
quality.
Differences
were
functional
traits
such
body
mass
reproductive
mode.
Generally,
isotope
values
closely
correlated
underlining
importance
morphological
characteristics
well
variations
niches.
Moreover,
differed
parthenogenetic
sexual
species,
depended
rock,
higher
plasticity
Overall,
our
findings
highlight
decisive
role
structuring
montane
food
webs
provide
novel
insight
into
factors
responsible
invertebrates.
