Testate amoebae communities in the rhizosphere of Rhododendron ponticum (Ericaceae) in an evergreen broadleaf forest in southern Spain
2012
Abstract
A recent study from northwest England showed that the invasive ericaceous shrub Rhododendron ponticum may significantly modify communities of soil testate amoebae (TA). Here, we investigate the effect of pH, organic matter, and R. ponticum presence on TA communities within the native range of the ericaceous shrub at two sites in southern Spain and compare our results with the previousstudy from NW England.
At the Spanish sites, organic matter content, R. ponticum presence and pH affected occurrence and abundance of several TA species, especially those with relatively large tests.