Soil microarthropod communities from Mediterranean forest ecosystems in Central Italy under different disturbances

Environmental Monitoring and Assessment volume 185, pages1637–1655(2013)Cite this article

Abstract

The aim of this study is to assess soil quality in Mediterranean forests of Central Italy, from evergreen to deciduous, with different types of management (coppice vs. high forest vs. secondary old growth) and compaction impacts (machinery vs. recreational). Soil quality was evaluated studying soil microarthropod communities and applying a biological index (QBS-ar) based on the concept that the higher is the soil quality, the higher will be the number of microarthropod groups well adapted to the soil habitat. Our results confirm that hardwood soils are characterised by the highest biodiversity level among terrestrial communities and by a well-structured and mature microarthropod community, which is typical of stable ecosystems (QBS value, >200). While silvicultural practices and forest composition do not seem to influence QBS-ar values or microarthropod community structure, the index is very efficient in detecting soil impacts (soil compaction due to logging activities). Several taxa (Protura, Diplura, Coleoptera adults, Pauropoda, Diplopoda, Symphyla, Chilopoda, Diptera larvae and Opiliones) react negatively to soil compaction and degradation (QBS value, <150). In particular, Protura, Diplura, Symphyla and Pauropoda, are taxonomic groups linked to undisturbed soil. This index could also be a useful tool in monitoring soil biodiversity in protected areas and in urban forestry to prevent the negative effects of trampling. QBS-ar is a candidate index for biomonitoring of soil microarthropod biodiversity across the landscape to provide guidance for the sustainable management of renewable resource and nature conservation.

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Acknowledgements

Funding was provided, in part, by research project PRAL Regione Lazio n. 2003/75. We thank Scott Mensing for English editorial revisions.

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Affiliations

  1. DendrologyLab, DAFNE, Università degli Studi della Tuscia, Via S. C. de Lellis, 01100, Viterbo, Italy

    Silvia Blasi, Lorena Balducci, Enrico Petrini & Gianluca Piovesan

  2. Department of Evolutionary and Functional Biology, University of Parma, Strada Farini 90, 43100, Parma, Italy

    Cristina Menta & Federica Delia Conti

  3. Département des Sciences Fondamentales, University of Quebec in Chicoutimi, 555, boulevard de l’Université, Chicoutimi, QC, G7H2B1, Canada

    Lorena Balducci

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  1. Silvia Blasi
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  2. Cristina Menta
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  4. Federica Delia Conti
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Correspondence to Gianluca Piovesan.

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Blasi, S., Menta, C., Balducci, L. et al. Soil microarthropod communities from Mediterranean forest ecosystems in Central Italy under different disturbances. Environ Monit Assess 185, 1637–1655 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-012-2657-2

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Keywords

  • Soil fauna
  • Soil disturbance
  • Forest management
  • Biological index
  • Microarthropods
  • Soil monitoring