Influence of land use intensity on the decomposition rate of dead mammals in conjunction with the biodiversity of the carcass associated insect fauna

在陆地生态系统中，动物生物量的分解率在很大程度上取决于分解者和食草动物的可用性以及特定生境的非生物因素。生物多样性探索站是一个理想的平台，可以研究土地利用强度对死亡哺乳动物分解率的影响，以及景观和地方尺度上相关节肢动物群的生物多样性。在评估土地使用密度方面，我们将利用最近开发的造林管理密度指标（SMI），该指标成功地区分了管理和非管理森林，但也反映了不同森林管理组内森林管理和林分特性的变化。在每次探索的25个森林样地中，我们将暴露仔猪尸体以收集和确定访尸昆虫。此外，我们将通过在特定时间间隔测量尸体重量来分析分解率。为了评价尸体的营养循环，我们确定非生物土壤参数，如类型，结构，pH值和湿度，并进行同位素分析的组织的仔猪尸体，土壤材料下的尸体和组织的蝇蛆。由于食虫昆虫被尸体相关细菌，真菌和其他食虫动物释放的挥发性有机化合物（VOCs）所吸引，我们将在不同的分解阶段对VOCs进行采样和化学分析。对于选定的通才和专家甲虫物种作为食草动物的功能，我们将分析在现场和实验室生物测定的电生理活性挥发性有机化合物的吸引力。我们的研究结果将在许多项目中产生协同效应，因为动物生物量的分解强烈影响地上和地下的功能生物多样性。

In terrestrial ecosystems, decomposition rate of animal biomass is heavily dependent on the availability of decomposers and detritivores and on abiotic factors of a certain habitat. The Biodiversity Exploratories represent an ideal platform to study the influence of land use intensity on the decomposition rate of dead mammals in conjunction with the biodiversity of the associated arthropod fauna at landscape and local scales. For assessment of land use intensity, we will make use of the recently developed silvicultural management intensity indicator (SMI) which successfully separates managed from unmanaged forests, but also reflects the variability of forest management and stand properties within the different forest management groups. In 25 forest plots per exploratory we will expose piglet cadavers for collection and determination of cadaver visiting insects. Furthermore, we will analyze decomposition rate by measuring cadaver weight at specific intervals. For evaluation of cadaveric nutrient cycling, we determine abiotic soil parameters such as type, structure, pH, and humidity and perform isotopic analysis of tissues of piglet cadavers, soil material beneath the carcass and tissue of blowfly maggots. Since insect detritivores are attracted by volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released by cadaver associated bacteria, fungi and other detritivores we will sample and chemically analyze VOCs at different stages of decomposition. For selected generalist and specialist beetle species with a function as detritivores, we will analyze the attractiveness of electrophysiological active VOCs in field and laboratory bioassays. The results of our studies will create synergies across many projects, since decomposition of animal biomass strongly influences functional biodiversity above and below ground.