Reactions of Collembola to short-term and prolonged artificial flooding in south-western Germany

摘要

The effect of short-term and prolonged artificial flooding upon the collembolan community in a hardwood floodplain forest habitat was investigated. To simulate an artificial flood the newly developed STAFD-method (Soil Tubes for Artificial Flood and Drought) was used. The flood lasted for either 15, 30, 60 or 90 days. Altogether 8,165 individuals of 14 families and 54 species of Collembola were extracted. Compared with the control the total numbers of individuals and species and the diversity in all the flooded plots were significantly lower. Different survival strategies were expected depending on the relative constancy of the soil moisture conditions in this floodplain forest. Finally, the species of collembola are classified as either tolerant or intolerant of submersion.