Oribatid mite biodiversity in agroecosystems: role for bioindication

The general ecology, biology, life history, and available sources for identification of oribatid mites (including Astigmata), the most numerically dominant arachnid group in the organic horizons of most soils, is reviewed. I use this information as the basis to evaluate data on their role for bioindication in agroecosystems, with the following conclusions: (a) oribatid mites with their low metabolic rates, slow development and low fecundity cannot respond rapidly to resource flushes: astigmatic mites with their contrasting life history traits can respond rapidly; (b) because many agroecosystems represent early successional stages, the oribatid species present are those found in heavily disturbed or early successional habitats, wherever these occur; (c) use of oribatid mites for bioindication must incorporate information on life history traits, and habitat and niche profiles for species. (C)1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.