http://www.collembola.org/publicat/forest.htm - Last updated on 2000.11.23 by Frans Janssens
Checklist of the Collembola: Forest Soil Classification based on Collembola Fauna

L. De Bruyn1,2, W. Jacobs2, F. Janssens2, S. Thys2, F. Hendrickx3, D. De Bakker4, K. Desender4, J.P. Maelfait1,3& B. De Vos5

1 Inst. Nature Conservation, Kliniekstr. 25, 1070 Brussel, Belgium
2 Dept. Biology, Univ. Antwerpen, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerpen, Belgium
3 Lab. Ecology, Univ. Gent, K.L. Ledeganckstr. 35, 9000 Gent, Belgium
4 Dept. Entomology, RBINSc, Vautierstr. 29, 1000 Brussel, Belgium
5 Inst. Forestry and Game Management, AMINAL, Gaverstr. 4, 9500 Geraardsbergen, Belgium
Correspondence: luc.de.bruyn@instnat.be

Abstract

It has been stated by several authors that the abundance, species diversity and life history characteristics of Collembola can serve as excellent ecological indicators of the state of the environment. Specific community characteristics may reveal properties of the habitat that would otherwise be difficult or even impossible to quantify by measuring physical factors or based on vegetation revelés. In the scope of a research project on the occurrence, diversity and bio-indicative value of terrestrial invertebrates, a multitude of arthropod taxa were sampled in 56 forest plots (40 woods) in Flanders (Belgium). The main aim was to classify the forest soils based on the sample animals or animal groups. Collembola were collected with a core sampler (i=5cm; depth=10cm) and extracted with a modified McFayden apparatus. In all, about 14 000 specimen belonging to 41 species were collected. In general, the Collembola communities fall apart along a soil texture gradient while there is a tendency that the species are grouped according to the main tree species.

Index terms: Collembola, ecological indicators, habitat afinities.

References