EFFECTS OF FIRE ON SOIL MICROARTHROPODS OF A PHRYGANIC ECOSYSTEM

The effects of a wild fire on soil microarthropods were studied in a Phryganic ecosystem of Greece. In the control site, the abundance of soil microarthropods showed considerable spatial and temporal variations. It was greater: In the space around individual shrubs where the organic layer was well developed than under the surface stones where a small amount of organic material was trapped. During the rainy season of the year rather than the dry season when most soil microarthropods were not active in the upper soil layers. The second than the first year of the study. This refers mainly to Acari, which maintained high population densities in spring of the second year (rainy season) in contrast to the same season of the first year which was exceptionally dry. Due to fire, the abundance of most populations was significantly reduced in the space around the shrubs. The magnitude of this reduction was comparable to the between microsites variation observed in the unburnt site. Under the stones the abundance of soil microarthropods was not affected or it was increased due to fire. As a consequence, the magnitude of the spatial and seasonal variations in the burnt site was comparatively low. Different taxa were affected differently by the fire or they exhibit differences regarding their recovery. Overall, the recovery time for most taxa is estimated to be less than 3 - 4 years.