Labile carbon alleviates wood ash effects on soil fauna

The combined effects of wood ash, sucrose and oxalic acid on enchytraeid size and biomass, the abundance of microbial-feeding nematodes and pH were studied in a full three-factorial design in laboratory microcosms containing 30 g of Norway spruce forest humus. Wood ash treatment reduced enchytraeid size and abundance, but these effects were offset by sucrose without any change in pH or moisture. The positive effects of sucrose were partially counteracted by oxalic acid. Both carbon compounds increased the abundance of obligate microbial-feeding nematodes, indicating enhanced microbial production.