Relationship between soil diversity and inhabitant mites (Acari)

Abstract

Mites are important regulators of soil food webs in the ecosystem. Soil diversity, pH, electrical conductivity and organic matters are dominant disturbance factors on community composition of soil mites. Impacts of these factors were assessed on the species composition of soil mites at Dakahleia and Kafrelshikh governorates in six different sites. In total, 14 families, 30 genera, and 37 mite species belonging to the four sub-orders Gamasida, Actinedida, Oribatida and Acaridida were recorded. Mite abundance and diversity in the soil in Kafrelshikh was poor compared with Dakahleia sites. The effect of soil type on mite community composition was significant. PH and organic matters have been established as good indicators for soil fertility. Soil mites were affected by soil fertility as it was observed that soil mites population increased with increasing nutrients. This study provided important information on soil mite populations in cultivated soils and could provide baseline data for studies of bioindicators of soil quality. In conclusion soil mites responded to land type, pH, EC (ds/m) and organic matter level