Communities of soil microarthropods with special reference to Collembola in midfield shelterbelts

Density of microarthropods, Collembola and Acarina were studied in 2000 in soil and litter of 7-years old shelterbelt and in nearby field sown by winter wheat in Turew (Wielkopolska Region, West Poland). Samples were taken in the shelterbelt centre and in the field at a distance of 0.5 m, 10 m and 50 m from the tree line. Collembola were analysed in soil and in litter samples placed in containers and located in different sites, Acarina only in soil samples. Density of Collembola in soil was found to be higher in the shelterbelt than in the adjacent field (P =0.003). Similar relationship was not, however, noted for insects in litter, density in open field was higher than in the shelterbelt. Density of Acarina in soil decreased gradually with the distance from the shelterbelt (P =0.007). Twenty three species of springtails were found; the highest species richness (12) was noted in shelterbelts, but also in the litter in the open field. The dominant species common for soil and litter were Isotoma notabilis in the shelterbelt while Isotomina thermophila and Isotoma viridis in the field. With the increasing distance from shelterbelt Proisotoma minuta increased its contribution to the soil community, Entomobrya multifasciata was the dominant only in litter. In the field soil, 50 m from woods, the highest share of young individuals was noted. The highest species richness of Oribatida was found in the field margin (18). The Tectocepheus velatus was the dominant species both in the shelterbelt and the field, accounted for 30–70% of the total number of individuals.