title: Fear of predation alters soil carbon dioxide flux and nitrogen content.
abstract: Predators are known to have both consumptive and non-consumptive effects (NCEs) on their prey that can cascade to affect lower trophic levels. Non-consumptive interactions often drive these effects, though the majority of studies have been conducted in aquatic- or herbivory-based systems. Here, we use a laboratory study to examine how linkages between an above-ground predator and a detritivore influence below-ground properties. We demonstrate that predators can depress soil metabolism (i.e. CO2 flux) and soil nutrient content via both consumptive and non-consumptive interactions with detritivores, and that the strength of isolated NCEs is comparable to changes resulting from predation. Changes in detritivore abundance and activity in response to predators and the fear of predation likely mediate interactions with the soil microbe community. Our results underscore the need to explore these mechanisms at large scales, considering the disproportionate extinction risk faced by predators and the importance of soils in the global carbon cycle.
authors: Department of Biology, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USA sitvarmi@MiamiOH.edu.
authors: Michael I
authors: MI
authors: Sitvarin
authors: Department of Biology, Miami University, Hamilton, OH 45011, USA.
authors: Ann L
authors: AL
authors: Rypstra
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D005239:Fear; D007313:Insecta / Q000502:physiology*; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000737:chemistry; D011235:Predatory Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry*; D013112:Spiders / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D012987:Soil; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D009584:Nitrogen
keywords: detrital system; non-consumptive effects; predation