Assesing of microarthropods number in dead wood in Polish forests

Abstract

Abundance of microarthropods (Acari: Oribatida, Gamasida, Actinedida, Acaridida and Collembola) was investigated in dead wood (lying logs) of spruce in Babia Gora National Park and beech logs in Uroczysko Buczyna, protected area in Chorzow. Estimated numbers of microarthropods were calculated in the basis of density, volume and abundance of microarthropods in 100 g of dry matter of dead wood per 1 ha. Dead spruce logs are habitat for 20% of the microarthropods in spruce forest. Beech logs are habitat for 9% for microarthropods in beech forest.