Bucharest

Abstract

Eight invertebrate ‘groups’ were investigated having a total of 503 species, which can be divided into two major categories: above ground and below ground. The above-ground groups are the Coleoptera (beetles), Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths), Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies), Orthoptera (grasshoppers and crickets) and Thysanoptera (thrips). The below-ground groups are the Acari-Mesostigmata (soil mites), Acari-Oribatida (beetle mites), Collembola (springtails) and Myriapoda-Diplopoda (millipedes) and Myriapoda-Chilopoda (centipedes) The study revealed different structural complexities of the invertebrate populations (including non-native species) in relation to three groups of factors, namely the habitat and ecological requirements of the species, the characteristic features of the urban environment (including pollution, soil types and the species composition and structure of the vegetation) and the morphology and dynamics of some of the invertebrate groups. Zoological surveys of Bucharest indicate that the city has a rich and interesting invertebrate fauna. There are some scientific studies concerning the impact of pollution on biodiversity in urban habitats and the legal framework to protect green spaces that are generally often neglected. Plans for the expansion and management of urban areas should be based on scientifically comprehensive, interdisciplinary research projects, which will, amongst other benefits, provide a complete inventory of the invertebrate species, which are an excellent group of biological indicators.