How do earthworms, soil texture and plant composition affect infiltration along an experimental plant diversity gradient in grassland?

ABSTRACT:

Background

Infiltration is a key process in determining the water balance, but so far effects of earthworms, soil texture, plant species diversity and their interaction on infiltration capacity have not been studied.

Methodology/principal findings

We measured infiltration capacity in subplots with ambient and reduced earthworm density nested in plots of different plant species (1, 4, and 16 species) and plant functional group richness and composition (1 to 4 groups; legumes, grasses, small herbs, tall herbs). In summer, earthworm presence significantly increased infiltration, whereas in fall effects of grasses and legumes on infiltration were due to plant-mediated changes in earthworm biomass. Effects of grasses and legumes on infiltration even reversed effects of texture. W

SUBMITTER: Fischer C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4053431 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature