BEHAVIORAL-RESPONSES TO AND LETHAL EFFECTS OF ELEVATED CARBON-DIOXIDECONCENTRATION IN SOIL INVERTEBRATES

Responses to elevated CO2 concentrations (up to 60 vol. %) were studie d in a set of 19 species of soil invertebrates belonging to the Enchyt raeidiae, Lumbricidae, Isopoda, Diplopoda, Collembola and lnsecta. Vis ible behavioural reactions, from changes of movement coordination to t emporary paralysis, were observed at concentrations from 2 to 39 vol. % of CO2 depending on species. Constant paralysis lasting for the whol e 6 hours exposure set in at higher CO2 levels (from 10 to 59 vol. % o f CO2 depending on species). Lethal effects were observed in some spec ies only (from 11 to 50 vol. % of CO2). Atmobiotic springtails and ter restrial isopods were extremely sensitive, while a higher resistance w as observed in millipedes, potworms, earthworms, centipedes and insect s. The ecological importance of the variability of CO2 resistance is d iscussed.