| Abstrakt: |
Abstract: This work reports preliminary data on the biology and chemistry of soil habitats at Edmonson Point, Wood Bay, Northern Victoria Land, Ross Sea Sector of the Continental Antarctic. Forty-one soil samples were collected from 5 different soil habitats during summer in 2003/04 and 2004/05. Altogether 19 species of soil invertebrates were identified including 9 Rotifera, 4 Nematoda, 5 Oribatida and 1 springtail (Collembola). In general, soil invertebrate communities were dominated by rotifers with nematodes and tardigrades significantly less numerous. Abundances of all invertebrates varied and ranged from 0 to 7,760, 2,312 and 1,824 individuals per 100 g of soil for rotifers, nematodes and tardigrades, respectively. There were no invertebrates in 22% of the soil samples, the majority of which were soils from active and relic penguin rookeries. Although the physical and chemical characteristics of the soils differed, high soil water content (>20%) seemed to be the major factor determining distribution and abundance of invertebrates in Antarctic soils. |
