Microbiota, fauna, and mesh size interactions in litter decomposition

Plant litter decomposition is a key process in carbon and nutrient cycling. The critical role of soil-faunal community composition in decomposition has been demonstrated using different mesh size litterbags to control exposure of litter to different faunal size classes. However, the faunal community surrounding the litterbags has not been manipulated despite potentially large indirect effects of their activity on biotic and abiotic processes that control litter decomposition at the habitat-scale. We combined microcosm and litterbag techniques to facilitate a more comprehensive understanding of the role of direct and indirect effects of soil-faunal community composition on litter decomposition. We placed litterbags of three mesh sizes across model grassland miniecosystems manipulated to enable communities containing 1) microfauna; 2) micro- and meso-fauna; 3) micro-, meso- and macro-fauna. All communities contained bacteria and fungi. The approach permitted correction of mesh size artefacts inherent to field studies. Indirect effects have been divided into two separate terms, direct-indirect effects and indirect effects. Decomposition in micromesh litterbags was significantly decreased by the indirect effects of meso- and macro-fauna. In macrofauna communities, increased mesh size significantly increased decomposition through mesh size per se and faunal effects. Relative effects of manipulated faunal community composition on litter mass loss and C:N ratio were equivalent for green and senesced litter. The presence of meso- and macro-fauna increased litter decomposition rate overall despite inhibiting decomposition by microfauna, bacteria and fungi through indirect effects.