Comparative Approach Towards the Collembolan Diversity in Different Urban Agro-Ecosystems and Their Use as Bioindicators for Soil Pollution

Abstract

Introduction: Collembolans are good representatives of the diversity of soil fauna, playing a significant role in nutrient recycling and the decomposition of organic matter.

Objectives: The study evaluates the role of different edaphic factors and the diversity of the collembolan population in different agroecosystems. The inference gathered from this study may be helpful in the development of conformational strategies in agricultural practices and monitoring natural and human-impacted areas.

Methods: Seasonal soil sampling and collecting collembolans was done from November 2020 to October 2021 at four sites in Punchakari, Thiruvananthapuram. Extraction of collembolans was done, and specimens were identified using standard taxonomic keys. Relative abundance, seasonal fluctuations, and Diversity indices of the collembolan population were calculated. Correlation analysis was carried out to determine the impact of various soil Physico-chemical parameters on the population of collembolans.

Results: The Collembolan population showed irregular trends of fluctuations depending on temperature and monthly rainfall. A positive correlation can be stated between collembolan distribution and organic carbon content.

Conclusions: In light of the study's conclusions, collembolans can have their diversity examined to better understand the gradient of soil disturbances since they are reliable indicators of various farming techniques. Additionally, to safeguard soil biological communities and ecosystem resilience, alternative land use approaches for sustainable soil health management might be created.