Soil microarthropod assemblage under various vegetation covers: A bioindicator approach in agriculture

Soil fauna, particularly its microarthropods, plays a key role in soil functioning, such as nutrient cycling and soil formation. However, the interactions of agricultural practices and the functioning of soil biodiversity are not fully understood. This study evaluated how vegetation cover, as a conservative agricultural practice, affects microarthropod diversity in three Mediterranean agroecosystems - almond and olive orchards and vineyards in Israel. Soil samples were collected from vegetated and non-vegetated areas and analyzed using the Soil Biological Quality method (QBS-ar). Higher QBS-ar, higher microarthropod richness, and distinct assemblage composition were measured in vegetated soils compared to soils without vegetation. Acari, Collembola, Diplura, Coleoptera, Chilopoda, and Symphyla were identified by indicator value analysis as biological indicators of vegetation cover. These findings highlight the positive impact of vegetation cover on soil biodiversity in agroecosystems, which is likely to support ecosystem services. Such research can aid farmers in Mediterranean climates, land managers, and policymakers in developing sustainable soil management practices that balance biodiversity conservation with agricultural productivity. Future research should aim to expand these findings through independent multi-site studies and long-term monitoring to assess the impact of vegetation cover under diverse conditions across countries in Mediterranean climates.