Microarthropod community responses to soil variability in a subtropical deciduous forest of the Eastern Ghats, India

This study explores seasonal variation in soil microarthropods-Collembola, Acari, and Hymenoptera- across five habitat types: degraded forest (DF), dense mixed forest (DMF), open mixed forest (OMF), bamboo forest (BF), and wetland (WL) in a subtropical deciduous forest of the Eastern Ghats in India. Seven Collembola and four species each of Acari and Hymenoptera were identified, though species diversity remained low across zones. Collembola were consistently abundant in wetlands, independent of season. Microarthropod populations peaked during the wet season. Correlation analysis and PCA (Principal Component Analysis) revealed strong positive associations with soil moisture and organic carbon, with significant population differences observed between dry and wet seasons.