Effect of Grazing Management on Predator Soil Mite Communities (Acari: Mesotigmata) in Some Subalpine Grasslands from the Făgăraş Mountains—Romania

Abstract

For the first time in Romania, a complex study was conducted on soil mite communities from two types of managed grasslands: ungrazed and intensively grazed. The study was accomplished in August 2018, in the Făgăraş Mountains. Within the soil mite communities (Mesostigmata), 30 species were identified, from 80 soil samples. The following population parameters were investigated: species richness, numerical abundance, dominance, Shannon index of diversity, evenness and equitability. Eight environmental variables were also measured: soil and air humidity; soil and air temperature; soil pH; resistance of soil to penetration; soil electrical conductivity; and vegetation coverage. The results revealed that species richness, Shannon index of diversity, evenness and equitability indices had higher values in ungrazed grasslands, whereas in intensively grazed areas, the numerical abundance and dominance index had significantly higher values. The species Alliphis halleri was dominant in the ungrazed grasslands. Each type of managed grassland was characterised by specific environmental conditions, which had an important influence, even at the species level.