Relationships between macroarthropods assemblages and soil characteristics: data from forest habitats of Central Italy

摘要

With this work we wanted to study qualitatively and quantitatively epigeal soil fauna in someforest areas in the Regional Natural Reserve of Monte Rufeno, Lazio (Italy). In addition tothe meso- and macroarthropods (quality and quantity) we also examined some chemical parametersof the soil (pH, organic carbon, nitrogen, exchangeable cations, cation exchange capacity,limestone) and physical ones (particle size, apparent density), in order to demonstratepossible relationships between the texture of the soil fauna and the soil itself. The sampledstations consist of mixed oak and were chosen to represent the diversity of these forest formationsin the area concerned. The results are structured in a scheme that identifies the soilsgroups, an analysis of the fauna, and fauna-soil correlations. By the different approaches ofstatistical analysis conducted to assess the interlinkages between soil characteristics and densityof activities of centipedes and of all arthropods, the values of the number of species detectedconfirm those found in other forest areas of central Italy. As regards the correlationsbetween soil characteristics and density of activity of the Arthropods, it was observed thatthe latter is positively correlated with the amount of organic substance and, secondarily, withthe quantity of clay + silt present in the first layers of the profiles. It was also deepened thestudy of one taxonomic group (Chilopoda) and, with respect to the results, the number ofspecies that constitutes the taxocenose within the Reserve (19 species), confirmed resultsfound in other forest areas of central Italy. The small skeleton and surface horizon of the soil,do not seem to favor the presence of centipedes.