Carbon and nitrogen mineralization from decomposing gypsy moth frass
Gary M Lovett1, Adriana E Ruesink1
1Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Box AB, 12545, Millbrook, NY, USA.
Oecologia
|March 18, 2017
Summary
Insect defoliation does not release nitrogen as expected. Instead, microbes rapidly consume available carbon and nitrogen in frass, conserving nutrients within forest ecosystems.
Area of Science:
- Forest ecology
- Soil science
- Insect-plant interactions
Background:
- Insect defoliation events are assumed to increase soil nitrogen availability.
- This is attributed to the decomposition of insect frass (feces).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the fate of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) in gypsy moth frass.
- To determine if frass decomposition leads to N mineralization or immobilization in forest soil.
Main Methods:
- Incubation of gypsy moth frass with and without soil under controlled temperature and moisture.
- Measurement of C and N mineralization rates over 120 days.
Main Results:
- Gypsy moth frass is rich in labile C and extractable N.
- Labile C stimulated microbial growth, leading to rapid immobilization of N from the frass.
- Microbial immobilization occurred within 1 day and persisted for at least 90 days.
Conclusions:
- Contrary to assumptions, gypsy moth frass does not release a pulse of available N.
- Microbial immobilization of N from frass is an efficient nutrient conservation mechanism in forest ecosystems following defoliation.
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