Soil arthropod assemblages reflect both coarse- and fine-scale differences among biotopes in a biodiversity hotspot

Eckert, Michelle; Gaigher, René; Pryke, James S.; Samways, Michael J.

doi:10.1007/s10841-022-00449-5

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 44 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Wetlands provide heterogeneous ecological niches for unique soil arthropod assemblages, with mesofauna communities being the most abundant and diverse [1][2][3]. Among these, Acari (mites) and Collembola (springtails) are the most prevalent groups, consisting of microarthropods that range in size from 0.1 to 2 mm.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Dynamics of Soil Mesofauna Communities in a Tropical Urban Coastal Wetland: Responses to Spatiotemporal Fluctuations in Phreatic Level and Salinity

Ortiz-Ramírez,

Hernández,

Pinto-Pacheco

et al. 2024

Arthropoda

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Coastal wetlands, vital for ecological diversity, have been significantly altered by anthropogenic activities, particularly in the Caribbean. These changes have created a complex mosaic of habitats and physicochemical conditions, further stressed by climate variability and sea-level rise. This study, conducted in Las Cucharillas Natural Reserve, a tropical urban coastal wetland in Puerto Rico, aimed to determine the effects of spatiotemporal variations in phreatic levels and salinity on soil mesofauna assemblages, crucial bio-indicators of environmental change. In 2020 and 2021, soil samples were collected from five diverse habitat types during different hydroperiods. Each sample was taken under four randomly selected plant types and processed using lighted Tullgren–Berlese extractors. Phreatic level and salinity were also measured. A total of 43 families were quantified, underscoring distinct habitat differences, similarities, and overall ecosystem diversity. Moderate correlations between phreatic levels, salinity, and mesofauna richness and abundance were determined. Peak richness and abundance were quantified at shallow (−0.03 to −0.07 m) and slightly moderate (−0.12 to −0.17 m) phreatic levels where oligohaline salinity (>0.5 to 5.0 ppt) prevails. The study highlights the adaptability of mesofauna to environmental shifts and their potential as biosensors for effective coastal wetland management amid climatic and anthropogenic pressures.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Dynamics of Soil Mesofauna Communities in a Tropical Urban Coastal Wetland: Responses to Spatiotemporal Fluctuations in Phreatic Level and Salinity

Ortiz-Ramírez,

Hernández,

Pinto-Pacheco

et al. 2024

Arthropoda

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Habitat heterogeneity might trigger negative changes in abundance of cavity nesting insect communities and their natural enemies in the Atlantic Forest in South America (Deus et al 2023). Researchers have also documented significant changes in the species composition and richness of Arctiini moths in mountain ecosystems from the Mesoamerican biodiversity hotspot (Montañez-Reyna et al 2023), and contrasting responses in the landscape-scale soil arthropod biodiversity due to a mix of biotopes from different landscapes in South Africa (Eckert et al 2023). In addition, detailed, autecological and (climate change) distributional studies have always been and continue to be the backbone for preserving and restoring habitat suitability for insect populations at a range of scales.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%