Soil Ecology Wiki - User contributions [en]

Isopods

2018-05-11T00:12:08Z

Jstryker:

==='''Classification:'''===

'''[[Kingdom]]:''' Animalia

'''[[Clade]]:''' Euathropoda

'''[[Sub-Phylum]]:''' Crustacea

'''[[Class]]:''' Malacostraca

'''[[Order]]:''' Isopoda

[[File:Armadillidium vulgare 000.jpg|thumb|Armadillidium Vulgare rolled up into a ball.]]

== Characteristics of Isopods ==

Isopods are a broad order of [[animals]] that ranges from marine parasites to soil dwelling [[mesofauna]] and [[macrofauna]]. Typical characteristics of Isopods is that they have an elongated body that is relatively flat with segmented plates across their back. They have three main regions to their body similar to insects, the head, thorax and abdomen. The heads (sometimes called cephalons) of Isopods have compound eyes, two pairs of antennae, and four sets of jaws. Typically the upper pair of antennae on isopods are chemosensory structures while the lower pair of antennae are usually used as feelers. Isopods all have sessile eyes which means they are directly on the body and are not connected via a stem or stalk. Their midsection is called their thorax (sometimes called pereon) and is the central part of their body and consists of the seven segments after the first which is where the head is fused to the thorax. Typically, terrestrial isopods (Woodlice) have a pair of legs attached to each segment of the thorax that have flexible joints that are used for moving the legs. The tail end section of isopods is called the abdomen (or pleon) and it is where the tail segments of their chitinous plates are. The abdomen usually consists of six plates, five of which are simply used as defensive plates that can be used to help curl into a ball, and another pointed plate which functions as a tail to help maneuver in water. Underneath these plates are flattened gills that are used to aid the isopod in respiration and other body functions.

== Terrestrial Isopods ==
Isopods that have fully transitioned to being terrestrial [[Organisms]] are in the suborder Oniscidea which consists of around 5,000 species. Colloquial names for terrestrial isopods are Pillbugs, Sowbugs, and Woodlice. They are typically found in the O-Horizon in soil or on top/under fallen trees on the forest floor. Isopods are prey to many predators ranging from foxes to beetles and even some species of owls, thus they are an important part of the ecosystem as both detritivores that aid in decomposition vegetation and as prey for those higher up on the food chain.

[[File:Oniscus Asellus.jpg|thumb|Oniscus Asellus]]
== [[Phytoremediation]] ==
Terrestrial Isopods are either [[Detritivores]] or microphyophages. Isopods have been known to remove heavy metals from the soil, most notably Copper, Cadmium, Lead, and Zinc. They have been used in studies to discover the degree of metal contamination within soil. It has been noted that low concentrations of copper in isopods has been shown to stimulate growth rate in juveniles while high concentrations of copper spurt growth in isopods. Certain species of isopods have been known to distinguish between plant leaves with high cadmium sulphate levels and avoid eating them.

[[File:Isopods1.jpg]]

== References ==
1. Tree of Life Isopoda. (n.d.). . http://tolweb.org/Isopoda/6320/1997.08.06.

2. Ddblade. (n.d.). . https://www3.northern.edu/natsource/INVERT1/Pillbu1.htm.

3. Magrini, M. J., A. V. L. Freitas, and M. Uehara-Prado. 2011. The effects of four types of anthropogenic disturbances on composition and abundance of terrestrial isopods (Isopoda: Oniscidea). Zoologia (Curitiba) 28:63–71.

4. Cortet, J. C. A. C. B., A. G.-D. Vauflery, N. Poinsot-Balaguer, L. Gomot, C. Texier, and D. Cluzeau. 1999. The use of invertebrate soil fauna in monitoring pollutant effects. European Journal of Soil Biology 35:115–134.

5. Brigić, A., I. Antonović, A. Alegro, V. Šegota, and J. Bujan. 2017. Terrestrial isopods (Isopoda: Oniscidea) as unexpected inhabitants of extreme habitats. European Journal of Soil Biology 82:66–71.

6. Hattenschwiler, S., S. Buhler, and C. Korner. 1999. Quality, Decomposition and Isopod Consumption of Tree Litter Produced under Elevated CO 2. Oikos 85:271.

File:Isopods1.jpg

2018-05-11T00:10:30Z

Jstryker:

Isopods

2018-05-11T00:07:16Z

Jstryker:

== Characteristics of Isopods ==
==='''Classification:'''===

'''[[Kingdom]]:''' Animalia

'''[[Clade]]:''' Euathropoda

'''[[Sub-Phylum]]:''' Crustacea

'''[[Class]]:''' Malacostraca

'''[[Order]]:''' Isopoda

[[File:Armadillidium vulgare 000.jpg|thumb|Armadillidium Vulgare rolled up into a ball.]]

Isopods are a broad order of [[animals]] that ranges from marine parasites to soil dwelling [[mesofauna]] and [[macrofauna]]. Typical characteristics of Isopods is that they have an elongated body that is relatively flat with segmented plates across their back. They have three main regions to their body similar to insects, the head, thorax and abdomen. The heads (sometimes called cephalons) of Isopods have compound eyes, two pairs of antennae, and four sets of jaws. Typically the upper pair of antennae on isopods are chemosensory structures while the lower pair of antennae are usually used as feelers. Isopods all have sessile eyes which means they are directly on the body and are not connected via a stem or stalk. Their midsection is called their thorax (sometimes called pereon) and is the central part of their body and consists of the seven segments after the first which is where the head is fused to the thorax. Typically, terrestrial isopods (Woodlice) have a pair of legs attached to each segment of the thorax that have flexible joints that are used for moving the legs. The tail end section of isopods is called the abdomen (or pleon) and it is where the tail segments of their chitinous plates are. The abdomen usually consists of six plates, five of which are simply used as defensive plates that can be used to help curl into a ball, and another pointed plate which functions as a tail to help maneuver in water. Underneath these plates are flattened gills that are used to aid the isopod in respiration and other body functions.

== Terrestrial Isopods ==
Isopods that have fully transitioned to being terrestrial [[Organisms]] are in the suborder Oniscidea which consists of around 5,000 species. Colloquial names for terrestrial isopods are Pillbugs, Sowbugs, and Woodlice. They are typically found in the O-Horizon in soil or on top/under fallen trees on the forest floor. Isopods are prey to many predators ranging from foxes to beetles and even some species of owls, thus they are an important part of the ecosystem as both detritivores that aid in decomposition vegetation and as prey for those higher up on the food chain.

[[File:Oniscus Asellus.jpg|thumb|Oniscus Asellus]]
== [[Phytoremediation]] ==
Terrestrial Isopods are either [[Detritivores]] or microphyophages. Isopods have been known to remove heavy metals from the soil, most notably Copper, Cadmium, Lead, and Zinc. They have been used in studies to discover the degree of metal contamination within soil. It has been noted that low concentrations of copper in isopods has been shown to stimulate growth rate in juveniles while high concentrations of copper spurt growth in isopods. Certain species of isopods have been known to distinguish between plant leaves with high cadmium sulphate levels and avoid eating them.

== References ==
1. Tree of Life Isopoda. (n.d.). . http://tolweb.org/Isopoda/6320/1997.08.06.

2. Ddblade. (n.d.). . https://www3.northern.edu/natsource/INVERT1/Pillbu1.htm.

3. Magrini, M. J., A. V. L. Freitas, and M. Uehara-Prado. 2011. The effects of four types of anthropogenic disturbances on composition and abundance of terrestrial isopods (Isopoda: Oniscidea). Zoologia (Curitiba) 28:63–71.

4. Cortet, J. C. A. C. B., A. G.-D. Vauflery, N. Poinsot-Balaguer, L. Gomot, C. Texier, and D. Cluzeau. 1999. The use of invertebrate soil fauna in monitoring pollutant effects. European Journal of Soil Biology 35:115–134.

5. Brigić, A., I. Antonović, A. Alegro, V. Šegota, and J. Bujan. 2017. Terrestrial isopods (Isopoda: Oniscidea) as unexpected inhabitants of extreme habitats. European Journal of Soil Biology 82:66–71.

6. Hattenschwiler, S., S. Buhler, and C. Korner. 1999. Quality, Decomposition and Isopod Consumption of Tree Litter Produced under Elevated CO 2. Oikos 85:271.

Detritivores

2018-05-11T00:03:23Z

Jstryker:

== Definition ==

Detritivore's are [[Organisms]] that feed off of decaying plant and animal matter. Organisms that feed on detritus (decaying plant or animal matter, or feces).

== In Ecology ==

In ecology detritivores are [[scavengers]] that feed of other organisms in the environment that have died. Since detritivores are decomposers they are typically on the lower end of the food chain and are also prey for animals higher on the food chain. Detritivores play the role of recyclers in ecosystems taking nutrients from decaying organisms and reintroducing it into the environment by being eaten by other organisms. The relationship between predators and detritivores is closely linked to plant biomass in certain biomes. Typically the more predators the lower the plant biomass because the predators are eating the detritivores who help facilitate plant growth by recycling nutrients, especially nitrogen, back into the soil.

== Types of Detritivores ==

'''[[Annelids]]''' - Earth worms are one of the most common groups of detritivores. They consume dead organic matter as well as the dirt surrounding it, recycling it back into the soil.

[[File:Earthworm1.jpg|thumb|Multiple annelids laying in soil.]]

'''[[Fungi]]''' - Fungi are actually not considered to be detritivores. Even though they fill the same roles as detritivores they are only considered decomposers.

'''[[Bacteria]]''' - Bacteria, like fungi, are also not considered to be detritivores even though they fulfill almost the same roles as detritivores. The only marked difference between detritivores and decomposers like fungi and bacteria are that fungi and bacteria are capable of digesting lignin while other organisms that are classified as detritivores cannot.

'''[[Isopods]]''' - Some isopods are detritivores that feed on the bottom of fallen trees.

[[File:Armadillidium_vulgare_000.jpg|thumb|Armadillidium vulgare rolled up in a ball.]]

'''[[Pitcher Plants]]''' - These plants evolved from carnivorous plants to have a pitcher like shape that collects and breaks down leaf litter that falls into them.

[[File:Pitcherplant.jpg]]

== [[Nitrogen Fixation]] ==

Detritivores play a major role in the [[nitrogen cycle]] allowing organic matter that normally would go to waste re-enter the food chain. Detritivores break down nitrates and nitrites from the organic material they consume and release it back into the atmosphere as nitrogen gas. This process is called the [[Decomposition Reaction]] and is often only achieved through the aid of detritivores and [[decomposers]]. Detritivores also create ammonia during the decomposition of organic matter. The ammonia produced by detritivores is used in the [[nitrification]] process to keep nitrogen in the [[biosphere]].

== References ==

1. Thompson, J. N., and D. M. Gates. 2018, March 30. Biosphere. Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. https://www.britannica.com/science/biosphere/The-nitrogen-cycle.

2. THE NITROGEN CYCLE. (n.d.). . http://www.scienceclarified.com/everyday/Real-Life-Chemistry-Vol-8/The-Nitrogen-Cycle.html.

3. Megías, A. G., and C. Müller. 2010. Root herbivores and detritivores shape above-ground multitrophic assemblage through plant-mediated effects. Journal of Animal Ecology.

4. Wu, X., J. N. Griffin, and S. Sun. 2013. Cascading effects of predator-detritivore interactions depend on environmental context in a Tibetan alpine meadow. Journal of Animal Ecology 83:546–556.

5. (n.d.). . Study.com. https://study.com/academy/lesson/detritivores-definition-examples.html.

6. GCSE Bitesize: Decay processes. (n.d.). . BBC. http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/add_ocr_gateway/green_world/decayrev1.shtml.

Soil erosion

2018-05-11T00:02:27Z

Jstryker:

== Definition ==

Soil Erosion is defined as the gradual wearing away of topsoil over time. Soil erosion is caused by many factors including rain, snow, wind, plants, animals, and human activity.

== Types of Soil Erosion ==

'''Water Erosion'''

[[File:WaterErosion.jpg|thumb|Stream leading into a larger body of water.]]

Water erosion occurs when water, either from rain or running water on the surface, causes the [[topsoil]] to wear away. The best way to restore soil that has been eroded by water or is being eroded by water is to introduce vegetation to the soil. The roots will help keep the soil in place as well as absorb some water to decrease the effects of water erosion. Water erosion is most prominent in areas where there is a lot of rain and in areas with many streams/springs. There are many kinds of water erosion that range from the splash of raindrops disturbing the surface of the soil to rivers and streams washing out banks in the soil.

'''[[Splash Erosion]]''' - Soil particles are disturbed and moved by rain droplets impacting the ground.

'''[[Sheet Erosion]]''' - Heavy rainfall causes water to move downhill as a sheet rather than in a channel wearing away the topsoil across a wide area.

'''[[Rill Erosion]]''' - Small rills are formed were rain or spring water gathers and erodes a small channel in the ground.

'''[[Gully Erosion]]''' - Larger versions of Rills that can erode deep into the soil.

'''[[Valley/Stream Erosion]]''' - Constant water movement causes V shaped channels in the soil that can become actual streams given enough time and rainfall.

'''[[Bank Erosion]]''' - High banks on the sides of rivers and streams are worn away by the constant flow of water until the bank collapses into the river.
----

'''Wind Erosion'''

[[File:WindErosion.jpg|thumb|Loose soil is being lifted off the ground and flown away by Saltation.]]

Wind erosion occurs when gusts of wind spread topsoil varying distances based on how fine the soil is. Very fine soils are spread far while larger grained soils are carried shorter distances. Wind erosion is most prominent where there are no windbreaks such as [[trees]], [[shrubs]], or buildings to cut off the wind. Grass can also aid in reducing wind erosion by acting as a cover for the soil. Wind erosion usually occurs where there is little cover to break the wind and where soil is the driest. There are 3 names for the different ways soil is transported by wind.

'''Suspension''' - Small soil particles are lifted extremely high into the air and can be brought miles away from where they started.

'''Saltation''' - Loose soil is lifted then they drift horizontally to the ground gaining momentum with the wind. Saltation is the most common form of wind erosion and can cause a lot of damage to the surface of the soil.

'''Creep''' - Larger particles that are too heavy to be lifted are pushed across the ground and are often pushed further by the particles being thrown by Saltation.
----

'''Biotic Erosion'''

Biotic erosion occurs when plants or [[Animals]] contribute towards soil erosion. Of all the living things on earth humans contribute the most to soil erosion. Overgrazing by cattle and other farm animals can cause serious damage to the soil by removing grass that would normally protects the soil from both water and wind erosion. The over farming of land can also cause soil erosion, if crops are not properly rotated the soil can lose its nutrients and begin to erode.

[[File:Monoculture.jpg]]
----

== Restoration of Eroded Soil and the Prevention of Soil Erosion ==
There are many ways in which eroded soil is restored. The planting of trees or shrubs to give soil relief from the wind is a common way of reducing the effects of soil erosion. Along with trees and shrubs stone fences are often built for the purpose of reducing the effect of wind erosion on soil. On farmland the adoption of crop rotation has helped reduce the effect of soil erosion by planting different plants in different seasons to put less strain on the soil. The use of [[monoculture]] has been shown to increase the effects of soil erosion and cause farmland to erode faster than if multiple crops were produced on the same land. Humans mismanaging soil and water is a major reason why soil erosion is as big a threat as it is. Deforestation along with over farming and monoculture are major accelerators of soil erosion and can leave the soil severely damaged for a long time. Many soil restoration techniques involve the planting of trees and shrubs to help safeguard the soil from both rain and wind.

== References ==

1. Causes of Water Erosion. (n.d.). . https://www.erosionpollution.com/water-erosion.html.

2. Heritage Te Manatu Taonga. 2012, July 13. 7. – Soil erosion and conservation – Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu Taonga. https://teara.govt.nz/en/soil-erosion-and-conservation/page-7.

3. How human activities can accelerate soil erosion. (n.d.). . http://lcgeography.preswex.ie/how-human-activities-can-accelerate-soil-erosion.html.

4. Soil Erosion Causes and Effects. (n.d.). . http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/engineer/facts/12-053.htm.

5. Wind Erosion. (n.d.). . http://milford.nserl.purdue.edu/weppdocs/overview/wndersn.html.

Isopods

2018-05-10T23:45:57Z

Jstryker:

== Characteristics of Isopods ==
'''[[Kingdom]]:''' Animalia

'''[[Clade]]:''' Euathropoda

'''[[Sub-Phylum]]:''' Crustacea

'''[[Class]]:''' Malacostraca

'''[[Order]]:''' Isopoda

[[File:Armadillidium vulgare 000.jpg|thumb|Armadillidium Vulgare rolled up into a ball.]]

Isopods are a broad order of [[animals]] that ranges from marine parasites to soil dwelling [[mesofauna]] and [[macrofauna]]. Typical characteristics of Isopods is that they have an elongated body that is relatively flat with segmented plates across their back. They have three main regions to their body similar to insects, the head, thorax and abdomen. The heads (sometimes called cephalons) of Isopods have compound eyes, two pairs of antennae, and four sets of jaws. Typically the upper pair of antennae on isopods are chemosensory structures while the lower pair of antennae are usually used as feelers. Isopods all have sessile eyes which means they are directly on the body and are not connected via a stem or stalk. Their midsection is called their thorax (sometimes called pereon) and is the central part of their body and consists of the seven segments after the first which is where the head is fused to the thorax. Typically, terrestrial isopods (Woodlice) have a pair of legs attached to each segment of the thorax that have flexible joints that are used for moving the legs. The tail end section of isopods is called the abdomen (or pleon) and it is where the tail segments of their chitinous plates are. The abdomen usually consists of six plates, five of which are simply used as defensive plates that can be used to help curl into a ball, and another pointed plate which functions as a tail to help maneuver in water. Underneath these plates are flattened gills that are used to aid the isopod in respiration and other body functions.

== Terrestrial Isopods ==
Isopods that have fully transitioned to being terrestrial [[Organisms]] are in the suborder Oniscidea which consists of around 5,000 species. Colloquial names for terrestrial isopods are Pillbugs, Sowbugs, and Woodlice. They are typically found in the O-Horizon in soil or on top/under fallen trees on the forest floor. Isopods are prey to many predators ranging from foxes to beetles and even some species of owls, thus they are an important part of the ecosystem as both detritivores that aid in decomposition vegetation and as prey for those higher up on the food chain.

[[File:Oniscus Asellus.jpg|thumb|Oniscus Asellus]]
== Phytoremediation ==
Terrestrial Isopods are either [[Detritivores]] or microphyophages. Isopods have been known to remove heavy metals from the soil, most notably Copper, Cadmium, Lead, and Zinc. They have been used in studies to discover the degree of metal contamination within soil. It has been noted that low concentrations of copper in isopods has been shown to stimulate growth rate in juveniles while high concentrations of copper spurt growth in isopods. Certain species of isopods have been known to distinguish between plant leaves with high cadmium sulphate levels and avoid eating them.

== References ==
1. Tree of Life Isopoda. (n.d.). . http://tolweb.org/Isopoda/6320/1997.08.06.

2. Ddblade. (n.d.). . https://www3.northern.edu/natsource/INVERT1/Pillbu1.htm.

3. Magrini, M. J., A. V. L. Freitas, and M. Uehara-Prado. 2011. The effects of four types of anthropogenic disturbances on composition and abundance of terrestrial isopods (Isopoda: Oniscidea). Zoologia (Curitiba) 28:63–71.

4. Cortet, J. C. A. C. B., A. G.-D. Vauflery, N. Poinsot-Balaguer, L. Gomot, C. Texier, and D. Cluzeau. 1999. The use of invertebrate soil fauna in monitoring pollutant effects. European Journal of Soil Biology 35:115–134.

5. Brigić, A., I. Antonović, A. Alegro, V. Šegota, and J. Bujan. 2017. Terrestrial isopods (Isopoda: Oniscidea) as unexpected inhabitants of extreme habitats. European Journal of Soil Biology 82:66–71.

6. Hattenschwiler, S., S. Buhler, and C. Korner. 1999. Quality, Decomposition and Isopod Consumption of Tree Litter Produced under Elevated CO 2. Oikos 85:271.

Soil erosion

2018-05-09T07:38:45Z

Jstryker:

== Definition ==

Soil Erosion is defined as the gradual wearing away of topsoil over time. Soil erosion is caused by many factors including rain, snow, wind, plants, animals, and human activity.

== Types of Soil Erosion ==

'''Water Erosion'''

[[File:WaterErosion.jpg]]

Water erosion occurs when water, either from rain or running water on the surface, causes the topsoil to wear away. The best way to restore soil that has been eroded by water or is being eroded by water is to introduce vegetation to the soil. The roots will help keep the soil in place as well as absorb some water to decrease the effects of water erosion. Water erosion is most prominent in areas where there is a lot of rain and in areas with many streams/springs. There are many kinds of water erosion that range from the splash of raindrops disturbing the surface of the soil to rivers and streams washing out banks in the soil.

'''Splash Erosion''' - Soil particles are disturbed and moved by rain droplets impacting the ground.

'''Sheet Erosion''' - Heavy rainfall causes water to move downhill as a sheet rather than in a channel wearing away the topsoil across a wide area.

'''Rill Erosion''' - Small rills are formed were rain or spring water gathers and erodes a small channel in the ground.

'''Gully Erosion''' - Larger versions of Rills that can erode deep into the soil.

'''Valley/Stream Erosion''' - Constant water movement causes V shaped channels in the soil that can become actual streams given enough time and rainfall.

'''Bank Erosion''' - High banks on the sides of rivers and streams are worn away by the constant flow of water until the bank collapses into the river.
----

'''Wind Erosion'''

[[File:WindErosion.jpg]]

Wind erosion occurs when gusts of wind spread topsoil varying distances based on how fine the soil is. Very fine soils are spread far while larger grained soils are carried shorter distances. Wind erosion is most prominent where there are no windbreaks such as trees, shrubs, or buildings to cut off the wind. Grass can also aid in reducing wind erosion by acting as a cover for the soil. Wind erosion usually occurs where there is little cover to break the wind and where soil is the driest. There are 3 names for the different ways soil is transported by wind.

'''Suspension''' - Small soil particles are lifted extremely high into the air and can be brought miles away from where they started.

'''Saltation''' - Loose soil is lifted then they drift horizontally to the ground gaining momentum with the wind. Saltation is the most common form of wind erosion and can cause a lot of damage to the surface of the soil.

'''Creep''' - Larger particles that are too heavy to be lifted are pushed across the ground and are often pushed further by the particles being thrown by Saltation.
----

'''Biotic Erosion'''

[[File:Monoculture.jpg]]

Biotic erosion occurs when plants or [[Animals]] contribute towards soil erosion. Of all the living things on earth humans contribute the most to soil erosion. Overgrazing by cattle and other farm animals can cause serious damage to the soil by removing grass that would normally protects the soil from both water and wind erosion. The over farming of land can also cause soil erosion, if crops are not properly rotated the soil can lose its nutrients and begin to erode.

== Restoration and Prevention of Soil Erosion ==
There are many ways in which eroded soil is restored. The planting of trees or shrubs to give soil relief from the wind is a common way of reducing the effects of soil erosion. Along with trees and shrubs stone fences are often built for the purpose of reducing the effect of wind erosion on soil. On farmland the adoption of crop rotation has helped reduce the effect of soil erosion by planting different plants in different seasons to put less strain on the soil. The use of monoculture has been shown to increase the effects of soil erosion and cause farmland to erode faster than if multiple crops were produced on the same land. Humans mismanaging soil and water is a major reason why soil erosion is as big a threat as it is. Deforestation along with over farming and monoculture are major accelerators of soil erosion and can leave the soil severely damaged for a long time. Many soil restoration techniques involve the planting of trees and shrubs to help safeguard the soil from both rain and wind.

== References ==

1. Causes of Water Erosion. (n.d.). . https://www.erosionpollution.com/water-erosion.html.

2. Heritage Te Manatu Taonga. 2012, July 13. 7. – Soil erosion and conservation – Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu Taonga. https://teara.govt.nz/en/soil-erosion-and-conservation/page-7.

3. How human activities can accelerate soil erosion. (n.d.). . http://lcgeography.preswex.ie/how-human-activities-can-accelerate-soil-erosion.html.

4. Soil Erosion Causes and Effects. (n.d.). . http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/engineer/facts/12-053.htm.

5. Wind Erosion. (n.d.). . http://milford.nserl.purdue.edu/weppdocs/overview/wndersn.html.

Detritivores

2018-05-09T07:36:58Z

Jstryker:

== Definition ==

Detritivore's are [[Organisms]] that feed off of decaying plant and animal matter. Organisms that feed on detritus (decaying plant or animal matter, or feces).

== In Ecology ==

In ecology detritivores are scavengers that feed of other organisms in the environment that have died. Since detritivores are decomposers they are typically on the lower end of the food chain and are also prey for animals higher on the food chain. Detritivores play the role of recyclers in ecosystems taking nutrients from decaying organisms and reintroducing it into the environment by being eaten by other organisms. The relationship between predators and detritivores is closely linked to plant biomass in certain biomes. Typically the more predators the lower the plant biomass because the predators are eating the detritivores who help facilitate plant growth by recycling nutrients, especially nitrogen, back into the soil.

== Types of Detritivores ==

'''[[Annelids]]''' - Earth worms are one of the most common groups of detritivores. They consume dead organic matter as well as the dirt surrounding it, recycling it back into the soil.

[[File:Earthworm1.jpg]]

'''Fungi''' - Fungi are actually not considered to be detritivores. Even though they fill the same roles as detritivores they are only considered decomposers.

[[File:Fungi.jpg]]

'''Bacteria''' - Bacteria, like fungi, are also not considered to be detritivores even though they fulfill almost the same roles as detritivores. The only marked difference between detritivores and decomposers like fungi and bacteria are that fungi and bacteria are capable of digesting lignin while other organisms that are classified as detritivores cannot.

[[File:Bacteria.jpg]]

'''[[Isopods]]''' - Some isopods are detritivores that feed on the bottom of fallen trees.

[[File:Armadillidium_vulgare_000.jpg]]

'''Pitcher Plants''' - These plants evolved from carnivorous plants to have a pitcher like shape that collects and breaks down leaf litter that falls into them.

[[File:Pitcherplant.jpg]]

== Nitrogen Fixation ==

Detritivores play a major role in the nitrogen cycle allowing organic matter that normally would go to waste re-enter the food chain. Detritivores break down nitrates and nitrites from the organic material they consume and release it back into the atmosphere as nitrogen gas. This process is called the Decomposition Reaction and is often only achieved through the aid of detritivores and decomposers. Detritivores also create ammonia during the decomposition of organic matter. The ammonia produced by detritivores is used in the nitrification process to keep nitrogen in the biosphere.

== References ==

1. Thompson, J. N., and D. M. Gates. 2018, March 30. Biosphere. Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. https://www.britannica.com/science/biosphere/The-nitrogen-cycle.

2. THE NITROGEN CYCLE. (n.d.). . http://www.scienceclarified.com/everyday/Real-Life-Chemistry-Vol-8/The-Nitrogen-Cycle.html.

3. Megías, A. G., and C. Müller. 2010. Root herbivores and detritivores shape above-ground multitrophic assemblage through plant-mediated effects. Journal of Animal Ecology.

4. Wu, X., J. N. Griffin, and S. Sun. 2013. Cascading effects of predator-detritivore interactions depend on environmental context in a Tibetan alpine meadow. Journal of Animal Ecology 83:546–556.

5. (n.d.). . Study.com. https://study.com/academy/lesson/detritivores-definition-examples.html.

6. GCSE Bitesize: Decay processes. (n.d.). . BBC. http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/add_ocr_gateway/green_world/decayrev1.shtml.

Isopods

2018-05-09T07:35:57Z

Jstryker:

== Characteristics of Isopods ==
'''Kingdom:''' Animalia

'''Clade:''' Euathropoda

'''Sub-Phylum:''' Crustacea

'''Class:''' Malacostraca

'''Order:''' Isopoda

[[File:Armadillidium vulgare 000.jpg|thumb|Armadillidium Vulgare rolled up into a ball.]]

Isopods are a broad order of animals that ranges from marine parasites to soil dwelling mesofauna and macrofauna. Typical characteristics of Isopods is that they have an elongated body that is relatively flat with segmented plates across their back. They have three main regions to their body similar to insects, the head, thorax and abdomen. The heads (sometimes called cephalons) of Isopods have compound eyes, two pairs of antennae, and four sets of jaws. Typically the upper pair of antennae on isopods are chemosensory structures while the lower pair of antennae are usually used as feelers. Isopods all have sessile eyes which means they are directly on the body and are not connected via a stem or stalk. Their midsection is called their thorax (sometimes called pereon) and is the central part of their body and consists of the seven segments after the first which is where the head is fused to the thorax. Typically, terrestrial isopods (Woodlice) have a pair of legs attached to each segment of the thorax that have flexible joints that are used for moving the legs. The tail end section of isopods is called the abdomen (or pleon) and it is where the tail segments of their chitinous plates are. The abdomen usually consists of six plates, five of which are simply used as defensive plates that can be used to help curl into a ball, and another pointed plate which functions as a tail to help maneuver in water. Underneath these plates are flattened gills that are used to aid the isopod in respiration and other body functions.

== Terrestrial Isopods ==
Isopods that have fully transitioned to being terrestrial [[Organisms]] are in the suborder Oniscidea which consists of around 5,000 species. Colloquial names for terrestrial isopods are Pillbugs, Sowbugs, and Woodlice. They are typically found in the O-Horizon in soil or on top/under fallen trees on the forest floor. Isopods are prey to many predators ranging from foxes to beetles and even some species of owls, thus they are an important part of the ecosystem as both detritivores that aid in decomposition vegetation and as prey for those higher up on the food chain.

[[File:Oniscus Asellus.jpg|thumb|Oniscus Asellus]]
== Isopod Removal of Metals in Soil ==
Terrestrial Isopods are either [[Detritivores]] or microphyophages. Isopods have been known to remove heavy metals from the soil, most notably Copper, Cadmium, Lead, and Zinc. They have been used in studies to discover the degree of metal contamination within soil. It has been noted that low concentrations of copper in isopods has been shown to stimulate growth rate in juveniles while high concentrations of copper spurt growth in isopods. Certain species of isopods have been known to distinguish between plant leaves with high cadmium sulphate levels and avoid eating them.

== References ==
1. Tree of Life Isopoda. (n.d.). . http://tolweb.org/Isopoda/6320/1997.08.06.

2. Ddblade. (n.d.). . https://www3.northern.edu/natsource/INVERT1/Pillbu1.htm.

3. Magrini, M. J., A. V. L. Freitas, and M. Uehara-Prado. 2011. The effects of four types of anthropogenic disturbances on composition and abundance of terrestrial isopods (Isopoda: Oniscidea). Zoologia (Curitiba) 28:63–71.

4. Cortet, J. C. A. C. B., A. G.-D. Vauflery, N. Poinsot-Balaguer, L. Gomot, C. Texier, and D. Cluzeau. 1999. The use of invertebrate soil fauna in monitoring pollutant effects. European Journal of Soil Biology 35:115–134.

5. Brigić, A., I. Antonović, A. Alegro, V. Šegota, and J. Bujan. 2017. Terrestrial isopods (Isopoda: Oniscidea) as unexpected inhabitants of extreme habitats. European Journal of Soil Biology 82:66–71.

6. Hattenschwiler, S., S. Buhler, and C. Korner. 1999. Quality, Decomposition and Isopod Consumption of Tree Litter Produced under Elevated CO 2. Oikos 85:271.

Detritivores

2018-05-09T07:21:24Z

Jstryker: Created page with " == Definition == Detritivore's are organisms that feed off of decaying plant and animal matter. Organisms that feed on detritus (decaying plant or animal matter, or feces)...."

== Definition ==

Detritivore's are organisms that feed off of decaying plant and animal matter. Organisms that feed on detritus (decaying plant or animal matter, or feces).

== In Ecology ==

In ecology detritivores are scavengers that feed of other organisms in the environment that have died. Since detritivores are decomposers they are typically on the lower end of the food chain and are also prey for animals higher on the food chain. Detritivores play the role of recyclers in ecosystems taking nutrients from decaying organisms and reintroducing it into the environment by being eaten by other organisms. The relationship between predators and detritivores is closely linked to plant biomass in certain biomes. Typically the more predators the lower the plant biomass because the predators are eating the detritivores who help facilitate plant growth by recycling nutrients, especially nitrogen, back into the soil.

== Types of Detritivores ==

'''[[Annelids]]''' - Earth worms are one of the most common groups of detritivores. They consume dead organic matter as well as the dirt surrounding it, recycling it back into the soil.

[[File:Earthworm1.jpg]]

'''Fungi''' - Fungi are actually not considered to be detritivores. Even though they fill the same roles as detritivores they are only considered decomposers.

[[File:Fungi.jpg]]

'''Bacteria''' - Bacteria, like fungi, are also not considered to be detritivores even though they fulfill almost the same roles as detritivores. The only marked difference between detritivores and decomposers like fungi and bacteria are that fungi and bacteria are capable of digesting lignin while other organisms that are classified as detritivores cannot.

[[File:Bacteria.jpg]]

'''[[Isopods]]''' - Some isopods are detritivores that feed on the bottom of fallen trees.

[[File:Armadillidium_vulgare_000.jpg]]

'''Pitcher Plants''' - These plants evolved from carnivorous plants to have a pitcher like shape that collects and breaks down leaf litter that falls into them.

[[File:Pitcherplant.jpg]]

== Nitrogen Fixation ==

Detritivores play a major role in the nitrogen cycle allowing organic matter that normally would go to waste re-enter the food chain. Detritivores break down nitrates and nitrites from the organic material they consume and release it back into the atmosphere as nitrogen gas. This process is called the Decomposition Reaction and is often only achieved through the aid of detritivores and decomposers. Detritivores also create ammonia during the decomposition of organic matter. The ammonia produced by detritivores is used in the nitrification process to keep nitrogen in the biosphere.

== References ==

1. Thompson, J. N., and D. M. Gates. 2018, March 30. Biosphere. Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. https://www.britannica.com/science/biosphere/The-nitrogen-cycle.

2. THE NITROGEN CYCLE. (n.d.). . http://www.scienceclarified.com/everyday/Real-Life-Chemistry-Vol-8/The-Nitrogen-Cycle.html.

3. Megías, A. G., and C. Müller. 2010. Root herbivores and detritivores shape above-ground multitrophic assemblage through plant-mediated effects. Journal of Animal Ecology.

4. Wu, X., J. N. Griffin, and S. Sun. 2013. Cascading effects of predator-detritivore interactions depend on environmental context in a Tibetan alpine meadow. Journal of Animal Ecology 83:546–556.

5. (n.d.). . Study.com. https://study.com/academy/lesson/detritivores-definition-examples.html.

6. GCSE Bitesize: Decay processes. (n.d.). . BBC. http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/add_ocr_gateway/green_world/decayrev1.shtml.

File:Pitcherplant.jpg

2018-05-09T07:20:18Z

Jstryker:

File:Bacteria.jpg

2018-05-09T07:17:58Z

Jstryker:

File:Fungi.jpg

2018-05-09T07:15:47Z

Jstryker:

File:Earthworm1.jpg

2018-05-09T07:13:41Z

Jstryker:

Soil erosion

2018-05-08T22:29:02Z

Jstryker:

== Definition ==

Soil Erosion is defined as the gradual wearing away of topsoil over time. Soil erosion is caused by many factors including rain, snow, wind, plants, animals, and human activity.

== Types of Soil Erosion ==

'''Water Erosion'''

[[File:WaterErosion.jpg]]

Water erosion occurs when water, either from rain or running water on the surface, causes the topsoil to wear away. The best way to restore soil that has been eroded by water or is being eroded by water is to introduce vegetation to the soil. The roots will help keep the soil in place as well as absorb some water to decrease the effects of water erosion. Water erosion is most prominent in areas where there is a lot of rain and in areas with many streams/springs. There are many kinds of water erosion that range from the splash of raindrops disturbing the surface of the soil to rivers and streams washing out banks in the soil.

'''Splash Erosion''' - Soil particles are disturbed and moved by rain droplets impacting the ground.

'''Sheet Erosion''' - Heavy rainfall causes water to move downhill as a sheet rather than in a channel wearing away the topsoil across a wide area.

'''Rill Erosion''' - Small rills are formed were rain or spring water gathers and erodes a small channel in the ground.

'''Gully Erosion''' - Larger versions of Rills that can erode deep into the soil.

'''Valley/Stream Erosion''' - Constant water movement causes V shaped channels in the soil that can become actual streams given enough time and rainfall.

'''Bank Erosion''' - High banks on the sides of rivers and streams are worn away by the constant flow of water until the bank collapses into the river.
----

'''Wind Erosion'''

[[File:WindErosion.jpg]]

Wind erosion occurs when gusts of wind spread topsoil varying distances based on how fine the soil is. Very fine soils are spread far while larger grained soils are carried shorter distances. Wind erosion is most prominent where there are no windbreaks such as trees, shrubs, or buildings to cut off the wind. Grass can also aid in reducing wind erosion by acting as a cover for the soil. Wind erosion usually occurs where there is little cover to break the wind and where soil is the driest. There are 3 names for the different ways soil is transported by wind.

'''Suspension''' - Small soil particles are lifted extremely high into the air and can be brought miles away from where they started.

'''Saltation''' - Loose soil is lifted then they drift horizontally to the ground gaining momentum with the wind. Saltation is the most common form of wind erosion and can cause a lot of damage to the surface of the soil.

'''Creep''' - Larger particles that are too heavy to be lifted are pushed across the ground and are often pushed further by the particles being thrown by Saltation.
----

'''Biotic Erosion'''

[[File:Monoculture.jpg]]

Biotic erosion occurs when plants or animals contribute towards soil erosion. Of all the living things on earth humans contribute the most to soil erosion. Overgrazing by cattle and other farm animals can cause serious damage to the soil by removing grass that would normally protects the soil from both water and wind erosion. The over farming of land can also cause soil erosion, if crops are not properly rotated the soil can lose its nutrients and begin to erode.

== Restoration and Prevention of Soil Erosion ==
There are many ways in which eroded soil is restored. The planting of trees or shrubs to give soil relief from the wind is a common way of reducing the effects of soil erosion. Along with trees and shrubs stone fences are often built for the purpose of reducing the effect of wind erosion on soil. On farmland the adoption of crop rotation has helped reduce the effect of soil erosion by planting different plants in different seasons to put less strain on the soil. The use of monoculture has been shown to increase the effects of soil erosion and cause farmland to erode faster than if multiple crops were produced on the same land. Humans mismanaging soil and water is a major reason why soil erosion is as big a threat as it is. Deforestation along with over farming and monoculture are major accelerators of soil erosion and can leave the soil severely damaged for a long time. Many soil restoration techniques involve the planting of trees and shrubs to help safeguard the soil from both rain and wind.

== References ==

1. Causes of Water Erosion. (n.d.). . https://www.erosionpollution.com/water-erosion.html.

2. Heritage Te Manatu Taonga. 2012, July 13. 7. – Soil erosion and conservation – Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu Taonga. https://teara.govt.nz/en/soil-erosion-and-conservation/page-7.

3. How human activities can accelerate soil erosion. (n.d.). . http://lcgeography.preswex.ie/how-human-activities-can-accelerate-soil-erosion.html.

4. Soil Erosion Causes and Effects. (n.d.). . http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/engineer/facts/12-053.htm.

5. Wind Erosion. (n.d.). . http://milford.nserl.purdue.edu/weppdocs/overview/wndersn.html.

Soil erosion

2018-05-08T22:21:09Z

Jstryker:

== Definition ==

Soil Erosion is defined as the gradual wearing away of topsoil over time. Soil erosion is caused by many factors including rain, snow, wind, plants, animals, and human activity.

== Types of Soil Erosion ==

'''Water Erosion'''

[[File:WaterErosion.jpg]]

Water erosion occurs when water, either from rain or running water on the surface, causes the topsoil to wear away. The best way to restore soil that has been eroded by water or is being eroded by water is to introduce vegetation to the soil. The roots will help keep the soil in place as well as absorb some water to decrease the effects of water erosion. Water erosion is most prominent in areas where there is a lot of rain and in areas with many streams/springs. There are many kinds of water erosion that range from the splash of raindrops disturbing the surface of the soil to rivers and streams washing out banks in the soil.

'''Splash Erosion''' - Soil particles are disturbed and moved by rain droplets impacting the ground.

'''Sheet Erosion''' - Heavy rainfall causes water to move downhill as a sheet rather than in a channel wearing away the topsoil across a wide area.

'''Rill Erosion''' - Small rills are formed were rain or spring water gathers and erodes a small channel in the ground.

'''Gully Erosion''' - Larger versions of Rills that can erode deep into the soil.

'''Valley/Stream Erosion''' - Constant water movement causes V shaped channels in the soil that can become actual streams given enough time and rainfall.

'''Bank Erosion''' - High banks on the sides of rivers and streams are worn away by the constant flow of water until the bank collapses into the river.
----

'''Wind Erosion'''

[[File:WindErosion.jpg]]

Wind erosion occurs when gusts of wind spread topsoil varying distances based on how fine the soil is. Very fine soils are spread far while larger grained soils are carried shorter distances. Wind erosion is most prominent where there are no windbreaks such as trees, shrubs, or buildings to cut off the wind. Grass can also aid in reducing wind erosion by acting as a cover for the soil. Wind erosion usually occurs where there is little cover to break the wind and where soil is the driest. There are 3 names for the different ways soil is transported by wind.

'''Suspension''' - Small soil particles are lifted extremely high into the air and can be brought miles away from where they started.

'''Saltation''' - Loose soil is lifted then they drift horizontally to the ground gaining momentum with the wind. Saltation is the most common form of wind erosion and can cause a lot of damage to the surface of the soil.

'''Creep''' - Larger particles that are too heavy to be lifted are pushed across the ground and are often pushed further by the particles being thrown by Saltation.
----

'''Biotic Erosion'''

[[File:Monoculture.jpg]]

Biotic erosion occurs when plants or animals contribute towards soil erosion. Of all the living things on earth humans contribute the most to soil erosion. Overgrazing by cattle and other farm animals can cause serious damage to the soil by removing grass that would normally protects the soil from both water and wind erosion. The over farming of land can also cause soil erosion, if crops are not properly rotated the soil can lose its nutrients and begin to erode.

== Restoration and Prevention of Soil Erosion ==
There are many ways in which eroded soil is restored. The planting of trees or shrubs to give soil relief from the wind is a common way of reducing the effects of soil erosion. Along with trees and shrubs stone fences are often built for the purpose of reducing the effect of wind erosion on soil. On farmland the adoption of crop rotation has helped reduce the effect of soil erosion by planting different plants in different seasons to put less strain on the soil. The use of monoculture has been shown to increase the effects of soil erosion and cause farmland to erode faster than if multiple crops were produced on the same land. Humans mismanaging soil and water is a major reason why soil erosion is as big a threat as it is. Deforestation along with over farming and monoculture are major accelerators of soil erosion and can leave the soil severely damaged for a long time. Many soil restoration techniques involve the planting of trees and shrubs to help safeguard the soil from both rain and wind.

Soil erosion

2018-05-08T22:19:43Z

Jstryker: Created page with " == Definition == Soil Erosion is defined as the gradual wearing away of topsoil over time. Soil erosion is caused by many factors including rain, snow, wind, plants, animals..."

== Definition ==

Soil Erosion is defined as the gradual wearing away of topsoil over time. Soil erosion is caused by many factors including rain, snow, wind, plants, animals, and human activity.

== Types of Soil Erosion ==

'''Water Erosion'''

[[File:WaterErosion.jpg]]

Water erosion occurs when water, either from rain or running water on the surface, causes the topsoil to wear away. The best way to restore soil that has been eroded by water or is being eroded by water is to introduce vegetation to the soil. The roots will help keep the soil in place as well as absorb some water to decrease the effects of water erosion. Water erosion is most prominent in areas where there is a lot of rain and in areas with many streams/springs. There are many kinds of water erosion that range from the splash of raindrops disturbing the surface of the soil to rivers and streams washing out banks in the soil.

'''Splash Erosion''' - Soil particles are disturbed and moved by rain droplets impacting the ground.

'''Sheet Erosion''' - Heavy rainfall causes water to move downhill as a sheet rather than in a channel wearing away the topsoil across a wide area.

'''Rill Erosion''' - Small rills are formed were rain or spring water gathers and erodes a small channel in the ground.

'''Gully Erosion''' - Larger versions of Rills that can erode deep into the soil.

'''Valley/Stream Erosion''' - Constant water movement causes V shaped channels in the soil that can become actual streams given enough time and rainfall.

'''Bank Erosion''' - High banks on the sides of rivers and streams are worn away by the constant flow of water until the bank collapses into the river.

'''Wind Erosion'''

[[File:WindErosion.jpg]]

Wind erosion occurs when gusts of wind spread topsoil varying distances based on how fine the soil is. Very fine soils are spread far while larger grained soils are carried shorter distances. Wind erosion is most prominent where there are no windbreaks such as trees, shrubs, or buildings to cut off the wind. Grass can also aid in reducing wind erosion by acting as a cover for the soil. Wind erosion usually occurs where there is little cover to break the wind and where soil is the driest. There are 3 names for the different ways soil is transported by wind.

'''Suspension''' - Small soil particles are lifted extremely high into the air and can be brought miles away from where they started.

'''Saltation''' - Loose soil is lifted then they drift horizontally to the ground gaining momentum with the wind. Saltation is the most common form of wind erosion and can cause a lot of damage to the surface of the soil.

'''Creep''' - Larger particles that are too heavy to be lifted are pushed across the ground and are often pushed further by the particles being thrown by Saltation.

'''Biotic Erosion'''

[[File:Monoculture.jpg]]

Biotic erosion occurs when plants or animals contribute towards soil erosion. Of all the living things on earth humans contribute the most to soil erosion. Overgrazing by cattle and other farm animals can cause serious damage to the soil by removing grass that would normally protects the soil from both water and wind erosion. The over farming of land can also cause soil erosion, if crops are not properly rotated the soil can lose its nutrients and begin to erode.

== Restoration and Prevention of Soil Erosion ==
There are many ways in which eroded soil is restored. The planting of trees or shrubs to give soil relief from the wind is a common way of reducing the effects of soil erosion. Along with trees and shrubs stone fences are often built for the purpose of reducing the effect of wind erosion on soil. On farmland the adoption of crop rotation has helped reduce the effect of soil erosion by planting different plants in different seasons to put less strain on the soil. The use of monoculture has been shown to increase the effects of soil erosion and cause farmland to erode faster than if multiple crops were produced on the same land. Humans mismanaging soil and water is a major reason why soil erosion is as big a threat as it is. Deforestation along with over farming and monoculture are major accelerators of soil erosion and can leave the soil severely damaged for a long time. Many soil restoration techniques involve the planting of trees and shrubs to help safeguard the soil from both rain and wind.

File:Monoculture.jpg

2018-05-08T21:51:25Z

Jstryker: Monoculture

Monoculture

File:WindErosion.jpg

2018-05-08T21:48:35Z

Jstryker: Wind Erosion

Wind Erosion

File:WaterErosion.jpg

2018-05-08T21:45:44Z

Jstryker: Water Erosion

Water Erosion

Isopods

2018-03-09T18:16:47Z

Jstryker:

== Characteristics of Isopods ==
'''Kingdom:''' Animalia

'''Clade:''' Euathropoda

'''Sub-Phylum:''' Crustacea

'''Class:''' Malacostraca

'''Order:''' Isopoda

[[File:Armadillidium vulgare 000.jpg|thumb|Armadillidium Vulgare rolled up into a ball.]]

Isopods are a broad order of animals that ranges from marine parasites to soil dwelling mesofauna and macrofauna. Typical characteristics of Isopods is that they have an elongated body that is relatively flat with segmented plates across their back. They have three main regions to their body similar to insects, the head, thorax and abdomen. The heads (sometimes called cephalons) of Isopods have compound eyes, two pairs of antennae, and four sets of jaws. Typically the upper pair of antennae on isopods are chemosensory structures while the lower pair of antennae are usually used as feelers. Isopods all have sessile eyes which means they are directly on the body and are not connected via a stem or stalk. Their midsection is called their thorax (sometimes called pereon) and is the central part of their body and consists of the seven segments after the first which is where the head is fused to the thorax. Typically, terrestrial isopods (Woodlice) have a pair of legs attached to each segment of the thorax that have flexible joints that are used for moving the legs. The tail end section of isopods is called the abdomen (or pleon) and it is where the tail segments of their chitinous plates are. The abdomen usually consists of six plates, five of which are simply used as defensive plates that can be used to help curl into a ball, and another pointed plate which functions as a tail to help maneuver in water. Underneath these plates are flattened gills that are used to aid the isopod in respiration and other body functions.

== Terrestrial Isopods ==
Isopods that have fully transitioned to being terrestrial organisms are in the suborder Oniscidea which consists of around 5,000 species. Colloquial names for terrestrial isopods are Pillbugs, Sowbugs, and Woodlice. They are typically found in the O-Horizon in soil or on top/under fallen trees on the forest floor. Isopods are prey to many predators ranging from foxes to beetles and even some species of owls, thus they are an important part of the ecosystem as both detritivores that aid in decomposition vegetation and as prey for those higher up on the food chain.

[[File:Oniscus Asellus.jpg|thumb|Oniscus Asellus]]
== Isopod Removal of Metals in Soil ==
Terrestrial Isopods are either detritivores or microphyophages. Isopods have been known to remove heavy metals from the soil, most notably Copper, Cadmium, Lead, and Zinc. They have been used in studies to discover the degree of metal contamination within soil. It has been noted that low concentrations of copper in isopods has been shown to stimulate growth rate in juveniles while high concentrations of copper spurt growth in isopods. Certain species of isopods have been known to distinguish between plant leaves with high cadmium sulphate levels and avoid eating them.

== References ==
1. Tree of Life Isopoda. (n.d.). . http://tolweb.org/Isopoda/6320/1997.08.06.

2. Ddblade. (n.d.). . https://www3.northern.edu/natsource/INVERT1/Pillbu1.htm.

3. Magrini, M. J., A. V. L. Freitas, and M. Uehara-Prado. 2011. The effects of four types of anthropogenic disturbances on composition and abundance of terrestrial isopods (Isopoda: Oniscidea). Zoologia (Curitiba) 28:63–71.

4. Cortet, J. C. A. C. B., A. G.-D. Vauflery, N. Poinsot-Balaguer, L. Gomot, C. Texier, and D. Cluzeau. 1999. The use of invertebrate soil fauna in monitoring pollutant effects. European Journal of Soil Biology 35:115–134.

5. Brigić, A., I. Antonović, A. Alegro, V. Šegota, and J. Bujan. 2017. Terrestrial isopods (Isopoda: Oniscidea) as unexpected inhabitants of extreme habitats. European Journal of Soil Biology 82:66–71.

6. Hattenschwiler, S., S. Buhler, and C. Korner. 1999. Quality, Decomposition and Isopod Consumption of Tree Litter Produced under Elevated CO 2. Oikos 85:271.

File:Oniscus Asellus.jpg

2018-03-09T18:14:28Z

Jstryker: Oniscus Asellus

Oniscus Asellus

File:Armadillidium vulgare 000.jpg

2018-03-09T18:08:18Z

Jstryker: Jstryker uploaded a new version of File:Armadillidium vulgare 000.jpg

Rolled up isopod

File:Armadillidium vulgare 000.jpg

2018-03-09T18:03:05Z

Jstryker: Rolled up isopod

Rolled up isopod

Isopods

2018-03-09T18:01:08Z

Jstryker: Created page with "== Characteristics of Isopods == '''Kingdom:''' Animalia '''Clade:''' Euathropoda '''Sub-Phylum:''' Crustacea '''Class:''' Malacostraca '''Order:''' Isopoda Isopods are..."

== Characteristics of Isopods ==
'''Kingdom:''' Animalia

'''Clade:''' Euathropoda

'''Sub-Phylum:''' Crustacea

'''Class:''' Malacostraca

'''Order:''' Isopoda

Isopods are a broad order of animals that ranges from marine parasites to soil dwelling mesofauna and macrofauna. Typical characteristics of Isopods is that they have an elongated body that is relatively flat with segmented plates across their back. They have three main regions to their body similar to insects, the head, thorax and abdomen. The heads (sometimes called cephalons) of Isopods have compound eyes, two pairs of antennae, and four sets of jaws. Typically the upper pair of antennae on isopods are chemosensory structures while the lower pair of antennae are usually used as feelers. Isopods all have sessile eyes which means they are directly on the body and are not connected via a stem or stalk. Their midsection is called their thorax (sometimes called pereon) and is the central part of their body and consists of the seven segments after the first which is where the head is fused to the thorax. Typically, terrestrial isopods (Woodlice) have a pair of legs attached to each segment of the thorax that have flexible joints that are used for moving the legs. The tail end section of isopods is called the abdomen (or pleon) and it is where the tail segments of their chitinous plates are. The abdomen usually consists of six plates, five of which are simply used as defensive plates that can be used to help curl into a ball, and another pointed plate which functions as a tail to help maneuver in water. Underneath these plates are flattened gills that are used to aid the isopod in respiration and other body functions.

== Terrestrial Isopods ==
Isopods that have fully transitioned to being terrestrial organisms are in the suborder Oniscidea which consists of around 5,000 species. Colloquial names for terrestrial isopods are Pillbugs, Sowbugs, and Woodlice. They are typically found in the O-Horizon in soil or on top/under fallen trees on the forest floor. Isopods are prey to many predators ranging from foxes to beetles and even some species of owls, thus they are an important part of the ecosystem as both detritivores that aid in decomposition vegetation and as prey for those higher up on the food chain.

== Isopod Removal of Metals in Soil ==
Terrestrial Isopods are either detritivores or microphyophages. Isopods have been known to remove heavy metals from the soil, most notably Copper, Cadmium, Lead, and Zinc. They have been used in studies to discover the degree of metal contamination within soil. It has been noted that low concentrations of copper in isopods has been shown to stimulate growth rate in juveniles while high concentrations of copper spurt growth in isopods. Certain species of isopods have been known to distinguish between plant leaves with high cadmium sulphate levels and avoid eating them.

== References ==
1. Tree of Life Isopoda. (n.d.). . http://tolweb.org/Isopoda/6320/1997.08.06.

2. Ddblade. (n.d.). . https://www3.northern.edu/natsource/INVERT1/Pillbu1.htm.

3. Magrini, M. J., A. V. L. Freitas, and M. Uehara-Prado. 2011. The effects of four types of anthropogenic disturbances on composition and abundance of terrestrial isopods (Isopoda: Oniscidea). Zoologia (Curitiba) 28:63–71.

4. Cortet, J. C. A. C. B., A. G.-D. Vauflery, N. Poinsot-Balaguer, L. Gomot, C. Texier, and D. Cluzeau. 1999. The use of invertebrate soil fauna in monitoring pollutant effects. European Journal of Soil Biology 35:115–134.

5. Brigić, A., I. Antonović, A. Alegro, V. Šegota, and J. Bujan. 2017. Terrestrial isopods (Isopoda: Oniscidea) as unexpected inhabitants of extreme habitats. European Journal of Soil Biology 82:66–71.

6. Hattenschwiler, S., S. Buhler, and C. Korner. 1999. Quality, Decomposition and Isopod Consumption of Tree Litter Produced under Elevated CO 2. Oikos 85:271.