Population parameters of the beetle Pterostichus oblongopunctatus F. from metal contaminated and reference areas

• Published in: Bulletin of environmental contamination and toxicology 2002-08, Vol.69 (2), p.243-249
• Main Authors: ŁAGISZ, M, KRAMARZ, P, LASKOWSKI, R, TOBOR, M
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Animals; Applied ecology; Biological and medical sciences; Cadmium - toxicity; Coleoptera - drug effects; Coleoptera - growth & development; Copper - toxicity; Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution; Effects of pollution and side effects of pesticides on protozoa and invertebrates; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Larva - drug effects; Larva - growth & development; Lead - toxicity; Metals, Heavy - toxicity; Ovum - drug effects; Ovum - growth & development; Reproduction - drug effects; Soil Pollutants - analysis; Zinc - toxicity
• ISSN: 0007-4861; 1432-0800
• DOI: 10.1007/s00128-002-0053-2

One of the major problems in anthropogenicaly contaminated terrestrial ecosystems is the accumulation of metals in litter and surface soil layers due to the high affinity of metal ions to soil organic matter. Even at moderate inputs, metals can reach high concentrations after prolonged input with dust and rainfall. The negative effect of metals in terrestrial ecosystems has been shown so far for litter decomposition processes and some soil-dwelling invertebrates. However, our understanding of their influence on populations of soil and epigeic fauna is still far from complete. For example, it has been shown that some earthworm populations can tolerate heavy metal concentrations well above the concentration known to induce lethal effects in non-tolerant populations. Results of a number of laboratory studies contradict some field observations in which viable populations of animals were found at soil contamination levels an order of magnitude higher than laboratory-established critical concentrations of metals in soil or food. Such discrepancies suggest that, unfortunately, results derived from laboratory cultures cannot be easily translated to expected field effects and studies on field populations are indispensable.