Soil mite communities (Acari: Mesostigmata) as indicators of urban ecosystems in Bucharest, Romania

Abstract The aim of the present study was to establish effect management type and environmental variables on structure, abundance species richness soil mites (Acari: Mesostigmata) in twelve urban green areas Bucharest-Romania. Three categories ecosystem based upon were investigated: protected area, managed (metropolitan, municipal district parks) unmanaged areas. which analysed were: air temperature, moisture atmospheric humidity, pH penetration resistance. In June 2017, 480 samples taken, using MacFadyen core. same number measures made for quantification variables. Considering these, we observed that humidity resistance differed significantly between all three types area. All investigated variables, especially pH, related community assemblage. Analysing entire Mesostigmata community, 68 identified, with 790 individuals 49 immatures. order highlight response mite communities conditions, Shannon, dominance, equitability maturity indices quantified. With one exception (numerical abundance), these recorded higher values compared ecosystems. trend different areas, metropolitan parks having a richer acarological fauna than or parks.