Effects of the exotic crustacean, Armadillidium vulgare (Isopoda), and other macrofauna on organic matter dynamics in soil microcosms in a hardwood forest in central Florida

Abstract

In a study of the effects of the non-native Isopod Armadillidium vulgare on soil organic matter decomposition and incorporation into the mineral soil of field microcosm in a central Florida hydric hardwood forest, that species was found to have an important effect on the transformation of the topsoil layer. This was evidenced by increased pH, P, K and NO3- in the mineral layer and increased removal of C from leaf litter layer.