The influence of salinization on oribatid mites (Acari: Oribatida) and microorganisms communities in underground block of dry steppe ecosystem in South Tuva
The peculiarities of transformation of the oribatid mites and microorganisms communities under the conditions of salinization in dry steppes in Southern Tuva are investigated. It is shown that zoological and microbiological components of underground block of dry steppe ecosystem respond on extreme salinization by sharp reduction of quantitative parameters. While reducing the level of salinization with maintenance of relatively favorable moisture regime in ecosystems forming on half-hydromorphic soils, there is a significant simultaneous growth of main parameters of zoological and microbiological components. Reduction to near zero level of salinization and further reduction of total moisture in dry-steppe ecosystems on automorphic chestnut soils leads to a decrease in species richness of oribatid mites and to reduce of biomass and metabolic activity of microorganisms. Meanwhile, the abundance of oribatid mites can three times increase by some xerophilous salt-sensitive species or decrease depending on specific conditions of a concrete steppe ecosystem.