Saberi-Pirooz Reihaneh, Aghamir Fateme, Ahmadzadeh Faraham
Department of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Management, Environmental Sciences Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, G.C., Evin, Tehran, 1983963113, Iran.
Department of Agriculture, Medicinal Plants and Drug Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, Evin, 1983963113, Tehran, Iran.
J Environ Manage. 2025 Sep;391:126410. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.126410. Epub 2025 Jul 7.
Many forest ecosystems are becoming more vulnerable due to human activities and the considerable effects of forest exploitation. Furthermore, forest management practices often overlook the importance of biodiversity, focusing primarily on timber production and economic gain. The Hyrcanian forests, in particular, face significant challenges due to a combination of factors such as deforestation, climate change, and invasive species. This study aims to explore the impact of reforestation on the diversity, abundance, and community structure of two key groups of soil engineers: earthworms and ants. These groups were chosen due to findings from a previous study indicating their higher abundance in this region. Additionally, it aims to determine which of these groups is more significantly impacted. The study was conducted in both natural and planted forests across three locations in the central region of these forests. Samples were collected from 72 quadrats and 48 transects. A total of 251 samples were collected for earthworms and 410 samples for ants. Then, the samples were sorted into morphological operational taxonomic units (MorphOTUs) based on morphological characteristics. DNA barcoding studies were performed using the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) gene to determine the molecular OTUs. After that, the difference in OUT richness, abundance and composition between natural and planted forests was investigated using statistical analysis. In the current research, 16 and 19 OTUs were recognized for earthworms and ants, respectively. The results indicated that ant abundance was significantly higher in natural forests (n = 263) compared to planted forests (n = 147). However, the difference in earthworm numbers was negligible (n = 125 in natural and n = 126 in planted forests). The community compositions of both groups did not show significant differences between these forests. The difference between ants and earthworm abundance indicates that ants play a key role as pioneer species in the colonization process, followed by other groups (earthworms) that have settled in the planted forests. The study emphasizes the significance of a genetic approach to understanding the biodiversity of both groups. We believe that integrating both groups will improve the effectiveness of bioindicators in these areas. It is crucial to recognize the biodiversity of soil invertebrates for monitoring natural forests and developing effective reforestation policies, which are essential for fostering resilient ecosystems.
由于人类活动以及森林采伐的重大影响，许多森林生态系统正变得愈发脆弱。此外，森林管理措施往往忽视生物多样性的重要性，主要侧重于木材生产和经济收益。特别是里海森林，由于森林砍伐、气候变化和入侵物种等多种因素的综合作用，面临着重大挑战。本研究旨在探讨重新造林对两类关键土壤改良生物：蚯蚓和蚂蚁的多样性、丰度及群落结构的影响。选择这两类生物是基于先前一项研究的结果，该研究表明它们在该地区的丰度较高。此外，本研究旨在确定哪一类生物受到的影响更为显著。该研究在这些森林中部地区的三个地点的天然林和人工林中进行。从72个样方和48条样带采集样本。总共采集了251份蚯蚓样本和410份蚂蚁样本。然后，根据形态特征将样本分类为形态操作分类单元（MorphOTUs）。使用细胞色素c氧化酶亚基1（COI）基因进行DNA条形码研究，以确定分子OTUs。之后，通过统计分析研究天然林和人工林之间OUT丰富度、丰度和组成的差异。在当前研究中,分别识别出了16个和蚯蚓和19个蚂蚁OTUs。结果表明，与人工林（n = 147）相比，天然林（n = 263）中的蚂蚁丰度显著更高。然而，蚯蚓数量的差异可以忽略不计（天然林中n = 125，人工林中n = 126）。这两类生物的群落组成在这些森林之间没有显著差异。蚂蚁和蚯蚓丰度的差异表明，蚂蚁在定殖过程中作为先锋物种发挥着关键作用，随后是定居在人工林中的其他类群（蚯蚓）。该研究强调了采用遗传方法理解这两类生物多样性的重要性。我们认为，将这两类生物结合起来将提高这些地区生物指标的有效性。认识土壤无脊椎动物的生物多样性对于监测天然林和制定有效的重新造林政策至关重要，而这对于培育有复原力的生态系统必不可少。
