Density, diversity and distribution of the Oribatid mites (acari, oribatida) in some cultivated soils from north-eastern Romania

Abstract

The present study analyzes the results of some researches carried out in different agro-ecosystems - perennial and annual crops – from the North Eastern part of Romania, on the oribatid mites, a representative group of the edaphic mesofauna. Both faunistic and coenological analysis were performed. In the lucerne crops the global average abundance has closed values related to the natural lawns in this zone, but the number of species and the specific diversity are lower. The annual cultures offer less favourable conditions for the oribatid mites, an exception being the soy crop, where both quantitative and qualitative parameters have higher values, comparatively with the maize or oat cultures. The results acquired in two different years (2005 and 2007) showed that the drought phenomenon has obvious effects on the oribatid coenoses in agro-ecosystems, comparatively with the natural ecosystems.