Field mesocosms can overcome the simplicity and deficiencies of laboratory
based experimental designs. This study deals with a number of possible side
effects of a mesocosm technique that involves deep-freezing of soil monoli
ths to eliminate soil Fauna, wrapping in nets of various mesh-size to contr
ol faunal immigration and replanting in the field. We used Berlese-Tullgren
sets in the field to directly inoculate mesocosms with microarthropods. Af
ter 6 months of exposure, the number of collembolans equalled control level
whereas immigration and inoculation of oribatids accounted for only 30 % o
f the control. The number of ciliates, their distribution into heeding grou
ps, and the numbers of nematodes, tardigrades and rotifers were not signifi
cantly affected by the elimination of mesofauna. We also did not detect sig
nificant treatment specific effects on microclimatic conditions within the
litter layer of the mesocosms. Furthermore, we compared the monolith approa
ch with a technique using sieved soil as a time-saving alternative. Water c
apacity and infiltration rate of mesocosms made of sieved soil did not diff
er from mesocosms made of monoliths, hut NH4+ losses were significantly hig
her in sieved soil when defaunated by deep-freezing. We conclude that the i
nvestigated mesocosm technique has little side effects and recommend the us
e of monoliths in mesocosm studies. (C) 2000 Editions scientifiques et medi
cales Elsevier SAS.