Oribatid mite taxa and composition associated with temperate habitats in Great Britain

Abstract

Knowledge on the status of soil biodiversity and its variation across habitats is fundamentally important to soil monitoring. Oribatid mites are globally distributed, can be found in all terrestrial ecosystems and, being generally numerous and including various trophic traits, are important components in soil food webs for the ecosystem services they deliver. The Countryside Survey (CS) is an integrated monitoring programme in Great Britain, and here we analyse an existing dataset of oribatid mite records from soil invertebrate assessments of CS in 1998 that covered over 500 one-kilometre squares. Using vegetation-based classification (AVC) to represent broad habitat types, we tested differences in oribatid mite richness and community composition across these, and used indicator analysis to uncover taxa associations with habitats or habitat combinations. Furthermore, we explored links between species and soil properties using richness and prevalence across organic matter and pH gradients. Oribatid mite species richness and composition differed between habitat types. Lowland and Upland wooded habitats had highest species richness per core; richness was lower in the managed agricultural habitats (Crops & Weeds, Tall Grass & Herb, Fertile Grassland) and generally higher in wooded habitats and those typically with organic soils (Lowland Wooded, Upland Wooded, Moorland-Grass mosaic, Heath & Bog). Oribatid mite richness increased steeply to ∼30 % organic matter. We list several species associated with AVCs that can potentially be used as indicators. These findings reinforce the link between oribatid mites, habitat, soil organic matter and pH, and provide a basis for mapping and further analyses.