The structure of large soil invertebrate communities (Mesofauna) in the alpine ecosystems of the Teberda Reserve, the Northwestern Caucasus
Abstract
The biomass and density of main groups of large soil invertebrates were investigated in four types of alpine ecosystems. Total dry biomass varied from 0.08 to 3.45 g/m2 decreasing in the row from chionophobous to chionophobous ecosystems. Lumbricidae, Aranei, Chilopoda, Curculionidae - and Diptera - larvae were well represented. Mollusca and Diplopoda were practically absent apparently due to a Ca-deficiency of acidic alpine soils. Each ecosystem has a specific composition of soil invertebrates community. Communities studied differ from that of arctic tundras by smaller abundance of Enchytraeidae and Tipulidae and by the larger role of Chilopoda and Curculionidae© PRUNELLA Publishers
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, photocopying, elctronic, recording, etc. without the prior written permission of the publisher, PRUNELLA Publishers - RNDr. Marián Janiga, CSc., Vavra Šrobára 1524/6, 03401 Ružomberok, Slovakia, IČO: 30 525 764. Permission requests for creating new collective works, for resale, for advertising or promotional purposes, or for general distribution, should be addressed to the publisher as mentioned in the Slovak Copyright Law. Free submission of an article for publication entails the author(s) irrevocable authorization of the publisher to collect any sums or considerations for copying or reproduction payable by third parties, as mentioned in the Slovak Copyright Law. EV 3492/09.
