Biocenoses of Collembola in atlantic temperate grass-woodland ecosystems

In: Pedobiologia, 1993, 37 (4), pp.223-244. Samples (679) from various forest sites in the atlantic temperate region (lowlands in the northern half of France) have been studied. Their Collembolan species composition 145 species, with only 43 rare species) was analysed by Benzecri's correspondence analysis, a multivariate method. Five groups of species, each associated with a given habitat, were determined: above the ground surface a distinction is evident between light species (open sites), hygrophilic species (moist forest sites) and corticolous species (dry forest sites); edaphic species may be divided into acidophilic species (mor, moder and acid mull humus) and neutroacidocline species (earthworm mull). A depth gradient may be traced from edaphic to atmobiotic species in both forest and open sites. As a conclusion, it is apparent that vegetation in itself does not directly influence Collembola but may effect them indirectly through humus formation.