The Response of Mesofauna to Nitrogen Deposition and Reduced Precipitation during Litter Decomposition

Soil mesofauna plays an important role in decomposing organic matter, recycling nutrients, and increasing nutrient availability. The effects of nitrogen (N) deposition reduced precipitation on the litter-dwelling mesofaunal community how this process affects litter decomposition remain poorly understood. Herein, a two-year simulated N throughfall reduction experiment was carried out natural evergreen broad-leaved subtropical forest to examine soil during decomposition. Four treatments were established: control (CK), (N), (RP), combined (N + RP). We collected identified 19,782 individuals litterbags whole experiment. Mites (Prostigmata, Mesostigmata, Oribatida) Collembola comprised almost 90% total number dominated our study. Our results revealed negative density Oribatida mites mesofauna. Reduced significantly increased marginally Mesostigmata but decreased diversity interaction affected Prostigmata mites, Collembola, with inhibited decomposition, whereas no significant observed. Furthermore, correlation analysis indicated that mass loss positively correlated Prostigmata, Oribatida, as well Overall, process, suggest interactively adversely community, while some groups diversity, consequently cascading leaf litter.