DYNAMICS OF COLLEMBOLAN COMMUNITY (HEXAPO DA, COLLEMBOLA) IN SOIL OF AN URBAN BOULEVARD

The possibility of forming a diverse, numerous and stable collembolan community in such artificial habitats as urban boulevards is shown. Th e season dynamics of total abundance is of regular character. Long-ter m cycles in alternation of dominant species are revealed. The followin g features of the collembolan community are considered as specific for the urban environment: early spring peaks in total density, reduction of the litter portion of the Collembola complex, co-existence of diff erent biotopical groups of Collembola in the community. A broad set of potential dominants ana. disruption of the natural pattern of horizon tal distribution testify to stress of the collembolan community. Ways of adaptation of springtail communities to existence in different urba n habitats are discussed.