Responses of soil Collembola to long-term atmospheric CO2 enrichment in a mature temperate forest.

Responses of Collembola to 7 years of CO(2) enrichment (550 ppm) in a Swiss free-air CO(2) enrichment (FACE) experiment in a forest with 80- to 120-year-old trees were investigated in this study. Contrary to our expectations, increased CO(2) caused a significant decrease in Collembola numbers, including a significant decrease in euedaphic Collembola. Increased CO(2), however, did not affect community group richness. Collembola biomass was not significantly changed by CO(2) enrichment, regardless of whether it was considered in terms of the total community, life-strategy groups, or individual species (with an exception of Mesaphorura krausbaueri). The reason for this is that CO(2) enrichment caused a general increase in individual body size, which compensated for reduced abundances. The results are consistent with the idea that the rhizosphere is important for soil fauna, and the combination of reduced fine root growth and increased soil moisture might trigger a reduction in Collembola abundance.