Earthworms (Oligochaeta: Lumbricidae) are typical representatives of the functional group of ecosystem engineers. They actively participate in formation and stabilisation of soil fertility through their effect on its buffer capacity. Buffer capacity defines in many aspects soil potential, supports immobilisation and mobilisation of certain elements of fertility, and first of all mineral elements essential for plants, productive moisture, heat energy of soil, gas composition of soil air, etc. Park soils within megapolises territory are megapolises' integral components, and this feature defines conditions of growth and development for green plants. To evaluate the contribution of earthworm coprolites into acidic-base (pH) buffer capacity of two categories of soil within the city, i.e., urban soils and urban grounds (urbanozems) of the park zones within the plots planted with Norway maple (Acer platanoides L.) trees on the territory of two parks Zeleny Gai and Pisarzhevsky Park (city Environmental Research, Engineering and Management 2019/75/1Dnipro, Ukraine), soil and coprolites samples were collected. Buffer capacity of coprolites and anthropogenically transformed soils (urban soils) was evaluated according to the Arrhenius method after "a buffer area". It was established that acid-base buffer capacity of coprolites (earthworm excretes), which are new formations of zoogenic origin in soil, was statistically significantly higher than for the initial type soil within city parks. For urban soil with the upper humified layer of calcic chernozem within the acidic diapason of external load, it was 22.9% higher, which, on average, accordingly was 22.9 and 18.7 convectional units; within alkaline, it was 18.4% higher and was, accordingly, 24.2 and 20.4 convectional units; and in sum (acidic-alkaline), it was 20.6% higher and was 47.1 and 39.1 convectional units. For urban ground (urbanozem) within the acidic diapason of external load, it was 44.9% higher and acidic-alkaline buffering capacity, on average, accordingly, was 25.5 and 17.6 convectional units; in sum (acidic-alkaline), it was 20.6% higher and was 42.8 and 35.4 convectional units, accordingly. Thus, soil saprophages, such as earthworms, in the conditions of magapolises in the recreation zones within the territories of city parks' green plantations are one of the natural factors of ecological rehabilitation of urban soils. This, in general, improves the ecological state of green plantations on urban soils within park areas and recreation zone edaphotope revitalisation as well as supports optimisation of human living and recreation environment.

Diplopoda play an important role in the processes of creating and maintaining soil fertility by implementing leaf litter destruction at its initial stages. Recently, in Ukraine the problem of soil fertility restoration has acquired a great urgency due to climate changes (aridity and temperature rising) and constantly increasing anthropogenic impact on natural biotopes, which often have Diplopoda as its element. The aim of this study was to evaluate the integrity of linear morphological characteristics of experimental animal Rossiulus kessleri (Lohmander, 1927) in different forest biotopes within semi-arid climate of the steppe zone. To determine the interrelation of morphological features, the method of correlation pleiades was used. It is established that 14 studied morphological characteristics of R. kessleri form the most powerful correlation pleiades with relative intensity values 0.64 and 0.93, within natural subwatereshed-ravine landscape and terrace flood plain forest conditions respectively. However, weakened one with 0.07 relative intensity value is observed within standing forest. Generally, the integrity of morphological characteristics of millipedes is increasingly prominent in the natural forest biotopes and extremely low in forest stands. Morphological variability of diplopods identified sylvatization degree of julidae's habitat. Relative potency value of correlation pleiades can be used for diagnostics of forest stands naturalization within the steppe zone of Ukraine.

The paper presents a study about the influence of two saprophage groups (Isopoda, Diplopoda) on leaf litter decomposition under different levels of humidification and chemical stress. Because of their worldwide distribution, we focused on the common pillbug Armadillidium vulgare (Latreille, 1804) (Isopoda, Armadillidiidae), and the common millipede species Rossiulus kessleri (Lohmander, 1927) (Julida, Julidae). The function of environment creation by the given saprophages, as destructors of dead plant matter, supporting such ecosystem services as soil fertility improvement and nutrients’ turnover, is highlighted. To conduct the experiment, the animals were collected manually and using pitfall trapping. In order to bring the experimental conditions closer to the natural, the individuals were not sexed. The maximum consumption of leaf litter by woodlice was recorded in the conditions with adequate moisture (0.5 mL of distilled water per box) and amounted to 2.52 mg/10 individuals per day, which exceeds its consumption with low and increased moisture, respectively, by 1.82 and 1.24 times. As for the effect of interaction, the consumption of maple litter with optimal moisture (4.77 mg/10 individuals per day) was the greatest. The largest absolute difference between broad-leaved tree species in the average weight of leaf litter consumed by woodlice was between maple leaf litter and oak leaf litter, the minimum – between robinia leaf litter and oak leaf litter. According to the results of the obtained data (Diplopoda), it can be stated that there is a statistically significant effect of chemical stress and discrepancy of the average zinc content in the object of study (in Diplopoda and their faecal pellets). We found that the diet provided did not affect the distribution of zinc in Diplopoda under conditions of chemical stress. According to the results of pairwise comparisons, we determined that the zinc content in the Diplopoda clearly differs for control and almost every concentration of zinc sulfate solution – 0.03 and 0.15 g/L, the samples of which do not form a homogeneous group. The species composition, abundance and distribution in space of soil invertebrates are informative indicators which reflect the ecological state of soils, intensity in development of soil horizons as well as intensity of processes occurring in them.

The study of morpho-ecological organization of oribatid mite communities (Acariformes, Oribatida) inhabiting forest litter of recultivated areas in steppe zone conditions of Ukraine was performed. The role of the forest and forest floor litter in optimization of the ecological situation on degraded lands was demonstrated. The function of environment creation by oribatids, as primary destructors of dead plant matter, supporting such ecosystem services as soil fertility improvement and nutrients turnover was highlighted. The research was performed within different stratigraphic types of bulk edaphotops in the recultivated plot of “Pavlogradskaya” colliery (Pavlograd, Dnipropetrovsk region, Ukraine) planted with red juniper (Juniperus virginiana L.). Withdrawal and collection of mites was performed with thermoeclector. For determination of the domination structure in the mite communities, the Engelmann scale was used. Adaptive (morpho-ecological) groups of oribatid mites were diagnosed by Krivolutsky. It was established that the number of species of oribatid mites in the forest litter of the studied red juniper plantation varied from 16 to 25. Average density of oribatid mites varied from 4,720 to 25,327 ind./m2. Among such morpho-ecological groups as soil surface inhabitants, small soil pore inhabitants, deep soil forms, floor litter inhabitants and unspecified forms, identified in the coniferous litter, the share of unspecified forms increased from loess-like loam type (21% of total amount) to Calcic Chernozem types with different stratigraphy (41.0%, 70.0% and 70.4% accordingly). Deep soil forms in the forest floor litter of the studied red juniper plots were not identified for any of recultivation types. The obtained results expand our understanding of the role of oribatid mites in the processes of ecological rehabilitation of disturbed ecosystems in the conditions of modern nature management.

The forest litter serves as a bridge between the above ground forest flora and fauna with the soil. Trophic activity of soil invertebrates affects the decomposition processes of plant organic residues and, thus, on the forest soils fertility. It is a natural mechanism that positively influences on maintenance and improvement of natural soils properties. The object of this study is the representatives of Diplopoda Rossiulus kessleri (Lohmander, 1927) and Isopoda Porcellio scaber (Latreille, 1804). The aim of the paper is to qualify the trophic preferences of the saprophages, as soil invertebrate representatives, of natural forest ecosystems in conditions of the steppe zone of Ukraine. To identify the ecological role of millipedes and woodlice as primary destructors of leaf litter, we made a field experiment studying their trophic preferences with the use of microcosms. Microcosms (containers) were filled with soil free from invertebrates; after it added a certain mixture of leaf litter and saprophages representatives. To analyze the decomposition rate of leaf litter the percentage of consumed litter was determined by calculating air-dry mass of leaf litter in the beginning and at the end of experiment. A regression model that reflects the trophic selectivity of saprophages for the following mixture components of such tree species as the common maple (Acer campestre (L.), little-leaved linden (Tilia cordata (Mill.), common oak (Quercus robur (L.), European white elm (Ulmus laevis (Pall.), European ash (Fraxinus excelsior (L.) is proposed. Among other regression model types (linear, quadratic, special cubic), permissible statistical estimates revealed a special cubic mathematical model and it allowed to conclude on the saprophages trophic selectivity. The special cubic regression model has a relatively high performance (the determination coefficient is 87.5 %) and adequately approximates empirical data with a significance level of less than 0.05. It was found out that common maple and European white elm litter is consumed in a greater quantity than any other litter from suggested. It is confirmed by their main effects coefficients in the regression equation. Thus, the saprophages trophic selectivity  persistence in natural forests under the conditions of the steppe zone has been proved. Consequently, the saprophages trophic activity increases with the presence of the maple and European white elm in natural forests, which makes expedient the use of these tree species, in the design of forest stands.

Among the natural mechanisms that positively influence on the optimization of anthropogenically transformed soils, on sustainability of natural soils, there is saprophages’ pertinent activity. Typical representatives of saprophages within such functional group as «ecosystem engineers» are diplopoda. Their trophometabolic (excretory) function is a significant factor in the fertility soil rising. The object of the study – Rossiulus kessleri (Lohmander, 1927), the representative of Diplopoda (Julidae). The aim of the paper is studing the interdependence morphological features among R. kessleri individuals from different forest ecosystems (natural ash-maple oakery within subwatereshed-ravine landscape, natural maple-aspen oakery within terrace flood plain, maple standing forest within subwatereshed-ravine landscape) within the steppe zone of Ukraine. Statistical analysis, on the criterion of multiple comparison of averages (test Tukey) for females from three forest types, revealed statistically significant (P ≤ 0,05) differences in average width and length of it’s body, and in the length of the collum. For males from three forest types, significant differences (P ≤ 0,05) was found in width and length of the antennae, meanwhile for lingular plates’ length and width, and for length and width of the gnathochilarium, differences was not established. Analysis of morphological features connections was carried out using multiple regression methods, which allowed to develop mathematical models with high predictive power. It is established that morphological changes of some diplopoda’s structural features are correlated with one or several other ones. Multiple regression methods showed standing assemblages of quantitative characteristics that might be predicted by certain morphometric features both for males and females (for example by linear size of its body, or size of gnathochilarium elements). It is shown that antennae’s length and width, correlate with body length (for females) and body width (for males) respectively. As for gnathochilarium elements, for females a great number of features were determined as remained in mathematical models after statistical processing. Thus, lingular plates’ length and width might be predicted by additive (total) contribution of body’s length and width, and gnathochilarium length for females, and for males, respectively, only the by gnathochilarium width and by body’s length. The identified features are elements of morphological integration, which makes structural and functional integrity of organisms as a system.

Статтю присвячено аналізу особливостей накопичення цинку представниками двопарноногих багатоніжок (на прикладі ківсяка сірого) під дією хімічного навантаження різного рівня. Розглянуто проблему опустелювання, відтворення родючості ґрунту за рахунок тварин-екосистемних інженерів, висвітлено роль сапрофагів у забезпеченні регулівних екосистемних послуг. З'ясовано рівень хімічного навантаження на представників ківсяка сірого з максимальною акумуляцією ківсяком цинку. Ключові слова: Diplopoda, ківсяк сірий (Rossiulus kessleri), лісова підстилка, екосистемні послуги, важкі метали, акумуляція цинку. Аккумуляция цинка представителями сапрофагов (Diplopoda, Julidae, Rossiulus kessleri) в условиях химической нагрузки. Похиленко A.П., Дидур O.А., Кульбачко Ю.Л., Федоров П.Р. Статья посвящена анализу особенностей накопления цинка представителями двупарноногих многоножек (на примере кивсяка серого) при воздействии химической нагрузки разного уровня. Рассмотрена проблема опустынивания, воспроизводства плодородия почвы за счет животных-экосистемных инженеров, освещена роль сапрофагов в обеспечении регулирующих экосистемных сервисов. Установлен уровень химической нагрузки на представителей кивсяка серого с максимальной аккумуляцией кивсяком цинка. Ключевые слова: Diplopoda, кивсяк серый (Rossiulus kessleri), лесная подстилка, экосистемные сервисы, тяжелые металлы, аккумуляция цинка. Zinc accumulation by saprophagous (Diplopoda, Julidae, Rossiulus kessleri) in conditions of chemical loading. Pokhylenko A.P., Didur O.O., Kulbachko Y.L., Fedorov P.R. The study is devoted to the analysis of zinc accumulation by millipede representatives (case study Rossiulus kessleri) under the influence of a chemical load on different levels. The problem of desertification and soil fertility reproduction by animals "ecosystem engineers" is considered.It is highlighted the saprophagous role in providing of regulatory ecosystem services. The chemical load level with the maximum zinc accumulation on diplopoda is established.

За умов антропогенного навантаження ґрунтова біота однією з перших реагує на зміни середовища існування. Оскільки природний відбір відбувається за фенотипами, важливо, що на урбанізованих територіях адаптації організмів до змін природних факторів можуть бути виявлені фенетичними дослідженнями. Взаємозв’язки між морфометричними характеристиками Rossiulus kessleri (Lohmander, 1927) виявлено із застосуванням факторного аналізу. Обрано 14 лінійних промірів тіла (а також їх співвідношень) і частин ротового апарату диплопод. Проаналізовано екологічну мінливість популяцій в умовах байрачних і заплавних екосистем Самарського лісу (територія Новомосковського та Кочерезького лісництв) і заказника «Волошанська дача» (урочище «Затишне») Дніпропетровської області. Виявлено морфометричні характеристики, за якими спостерігається статевий диморфізм і максимальна мінливість між популяціями. За результатами більшості промірів особини з популяції Новомосковського лісництва не характеризуються статевим диморфізмом. В умовах заказника «Волошанська дача» статевий диморфізм виявлено за більшістю лінійних промірів (P < 0,001). Під час дослідження популяції Кочерезького лісництва визначено, що самки на 14% ширші за самців (за лінійними промірами тіла) та мають довші антенни. Для популяцій Новомосковського та Кочерезького лісництв майже за всіма зазначеними співвідношеннями виявлено статевий диморфізм. Найнижчий рівень морфологічної мінливості зафіксовано в популяції з Новомосковського лісництва. Результати факторного аналізу масиву даних показали наявність двох груп R. kessleri.