The role and diversity of soil fauna in different woodlands

The increasing anthropic pressure on the environment is leading, in most parts of the world, to a rapid change in land use and an intensification of agricultural activities, in many cases at the expense of forest ecosystems. These processes often result in soil degradation and a consequent loss of soil quality and soil biodiversity. Soil is one of the most important reservoirs of biodiversity. Within it is found the habitat of the roots of plants, microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, fungi and algae and numerous invertebrates and vertebrates. It reflects ecosystem metabolism since all the bio-geo-chemical processses of the different ecosystem components are combined within it. Organic matter degradation and nutrient cycling in the belowground ecosystems are regulated by very complex biotic and abiotic interactions,where soil microflora and soil fauna directly and indirectly affect soil functioning. Soil fauna play an essential role in several soil ecosystem functions; furthermore, it is often used to provide soil quality indicators. In woodland ecosystems, plant composition, bearing the characteristics of the litter and the rhizosphere, affects both edaphic community structure and the dynamics of decomposition and recycling. On the other hand, edaphic community structure affects the decomposition of organic matter and the formation of the humus profile. In fact, it has been shown that soil invertebrates improve the soil fertility and productivity of forest ecosystems.