Abstract
The diversity of soil organisms and soil ecological processes in different mountain regions of Europe are reviewed. Detailed taxonomic studies on soil organisms have been made in the Alps and in Northern Europe since the end of the last century, however, there is a paucity of data from Southern Europe. Future studies could include the re-sampling of historic study sites to assess if there has been a change in the soil fauna and microorganisms. The role of key abiotic processes such as cryoturbation should be quantified and further research should focus on identifying indicator organisms, keystone species and functional groups. In addition, studies on soil organic matter and particularly on humus forms, the products of soil ecological processes should be encouraged. Ecotones, where the influence of spatial heterogeneity on soil biodiversity is likely to be particularly pronounced, appear to be the most rewarding for such studies.
Highlights
RÉSUMÉ.-La diversité des organismes du sol et les différents processus écologiques ayant lié dans les diverses régions de montagne en Europe sont détaillés
Most recent studies on arctic and alpine biodiversity have been concerned with plant diversity (e.g. CHAPÍN & KÔRNER, 1995) focusing on North America and Russia, where arctic and sub-arctic ecosystem research has had a long tradition (e.g. BEHAN-PELLETIER, 1993; HERSHEY et al, 1995; HOBBIE, 1995; PASTOR, 1995; SCHIMEL, 1995)
In this paper soil ecology is defined as the science of interactions among soil biota and between the soil biota and the abiotic environment
Summary
Conservation of biodiversity has become increasingly topical (e.g. GROOMBRIDGE, 1992; HUSTON, 1994; HEYWOOD & WATSON, 1995; CATIZZONE et al, 1998). Investigations on biodiversity are nowadays often related to sustainability (e.g. HAWKSWORTH, 1991) or global climate change (BOER & KOSTER, 1992; CHAPÍN et al, 1992; HOLTEN et al, 1993; SOLBRIG et al, 1994; WATSON eífl/., 1996). Most recent studies on arctic and alpine biodiversity have been concerned with plant diversity (e.g. CHAPÍN & KÔRNER, 1995) focusing on North America and Russia, where arctic and sub-arctic ecosystem research has had a long tradition Little studied have been soil biochemical cycling and interrelationships between soil and plants in alpine (MEYER & THALER, 1995; PASTOR, 1995) or (sub-) arctic areas (BEHAN-PELLETIER & BISSETT, 1992; CALLAGHAN «&: JONASSON, 1995; CALLAGHAN et al, 1995) in Europe. It would be relatively simple to initiate more research in the specialised field of soils and biodiversity because of the broad background in European mountain research with respect to global change and specified future research needs (BENISTON, 1994; GUISAN et al, 1995; PRICE, 1995)
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