@article{fdi:010044345,
  title = {{S}patial patterns of grasses influence soil macrofauna biodiversity in {A}mazonian pastures},
  author = {{M}athieu, {J}. and {G}rimaldi, {M}ichel and {J}ouquet, {P}ascal and {R}ouland, {C}orinne and {L}avelle, {P}atrick and {D}esjardins, {T}hierry and {R}ossi, {J}. {P}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{G}rasslands are often characterized by small-scale spatial heterogeneity due to the juxtaposition of grass tufts and bare ground. {A}lthough the mechanisms generating plant spatial patterns have been widely studied, few studies concentrated on the consequences of these patterns on belowground macrofauna. {O}ur objective was to analyze the impact of grass tuft ({B}rachiaria bryzantha cv. marandu) spatial distribution on soil macrofauna diversity in {A}mazonian pastures, at a small scale (less than 9 m(2)). {S}oil macrofauna was sampled among {B}. bryzantha tufts, which showed a variable spatial distribution ranging from dense to loose vegetation cover. {T}he vegetation configuration explained 69% of the variation in total soil macrofauna density and 68% of the variation in total species richness. {S}oil macrofauna was mainly found in the upper 10 cm of soil and biodiversity decreased with increasing distances to the nearest grass tuft and increased with increasing vegetation cover. {T}he size of the largest grass tuft and the microlandscape connectivity also had a significant effect on biodiversity. {T}he density and species richness of the three principal soil ecological engineers (earthworms, ants and termites) showed the best correlations with vegetation configuration. {I}n addition, soil temperature significantly decreased near the plants, while soil water content was not influenced by the grass tufts. {W}e conclude that soil macrofauna diversity is low in pastures except close to the grass tufts, which can thus be considered as biodiversity hotspots. {T}he spatial arrangement of {B}. bryzantha tussocks influences soil macrofauna biodiversity by modifying soil properties in their vicinity. {T}he possible mechanisms by which these plants could affect soil macrofauna are discussed.},
  keywords = {{S}oil macrofauna ; {E}cosystem engineer ; {P}astures ; {T}emperature ; {M}icroclimate ; {S}patial patterns},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{S}oil {B}iology and {B}iochemistry},
  volume = {41},
  numero = {3},
  pages = {586--593},
  ISSN = {0038-0717},
  year = {2009},
  DOI = {10.1016/j.soilbio.2008.12.020},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010044345},
}