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Microarthropods and vegetation as biological indicators of soil quality studied in the poor sandy stand at former military sites
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  • Iwona Gruss,
  • Jacek Twardowski,
  • Diana Nebeská,
  • Josef Trögl,
  • Tatyana Stefanovska,
  • Valentina Pidlisnyuk,
  • Iva Machová
Iwona Gruss
Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences

Corresponding Author:iwona.gruss@upwr.edu.pl

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Jacek Twardowski
Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences
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Diana Nebeská
Jan Evangelista Purkyně University in Ústí nad Labem
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Josef Trögl
Jan Evangelista Purkyně University in Ústí nad Labem
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Tatyana Stefanovska
National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine
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Valentina Pidlisnyuk
Jan Evangelista Purkyně University in Ústí nad Labem
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Iva Machová
Jan Evangelista Purkyně University in Ústí nad Labem
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Abstract

Biota play major roles in soil function and are highly sensitive to any disturbances including land degradations. The objective of research was to evaluate the effectiveness of different methods used to determine soil quality in sandy soil, in particular to compare the microarthropod and vegetation indices. The following soil fauna indices were used: Collembola and Acari abundance, QBS-ar index, decomposition rate, feeding activity. The Ellenberg index was used as a vegetation indicator, in which the response to pH, nutrients, and moisture was analysed. We based on an experiment conducted at a former military site in the Czech Republic. Soil quality was determined at two sites which differ slightly in nutrient content. Collembola abundance, feeding activity, and QBS-ar index were highly sensitive to minor differences in nutrients. In the group of vegetation indices, only the response to pH was significant. All analysed indices showed better biological quality in soils with higher nutrient content. Collembola were positively correlated with all vegetation indicators, which may indicate a close relation of springtails to certain plant species or similar habitat requirements. Finally, we indicate the usefulness of biological indicators for monitoring the quality of soil, which can be adopted when making various decisions concerning land use.
23 Mar 2021Submitted to Land Degradation & Development
24 Mar 2021Submission Checks Completed
24 Mar 2021Assigned to Editor
29 Mar 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
12 Apr 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
21 Sep 20211st Revision Received
22 Sep 2021Submission Checks Completed
22 Sep 2021Assigned to Editor
02 Oct 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
02 Oct 2021Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
14 Oct 20212nd Revision Received
15 Oct 2021Submission Checks Completed
15 Oct 2021Assigned to Editor
17 Oct 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
19 Oct 2021Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
10 Nov 20213rd Revision Received
10 Nov 2021Submission Checks Completed
10 Nov 2021Assigned to Editor
13 Nov 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
13 Nov 2021Editorial Decision: Accept
26 Nov 2021Published in Land Degradation & Development. 10.1002/ldr.4157