SECONDARY SUCCESSION OF SOIL MESOFAUNA - A 13 YEAR STUDY

Soil mesofaunal succession has been studied since 1980 on two experime ntal plots, one left undisturbed, the other managed as a lawn until 19 87 (thereafter ruderalization). Samples have been taken every three mo nths. The results show the successional dynamics of soil mesofauna tax a and their abundances both at group and species levels (Acari, Mesost igmata: Gamasina) for a period of 13 years. Management (recultivation) allows accelerated colonization and leads to increased abundances of some groups in the long term. Species characteristic of the succession al phases and of the plots were identified. Above- and belowground pla nt structure influence the development of soil mesofauna. A relationsh ip with plant associations does not become apparent. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.