Effects of air pollution produced by a nitrogen fertilizer factory on the mites (Acari) associated with young Scots pine forests in Poland

Abstract

The effects of ammonium-rich air pollution, produced by a nitrogen fertilizer factory at Włocławek (Poland), on arboreal and soil mites (Acari), was investigated in 20 year old Scots pine forests ( Leucobryo-Pinetum). The concentration of this pollution in Scots pine bark, epiphytes and soil was lowest in the control plot and increased towards the pollution source. The density of arboreal mites was significantly lower in highly and medium polluted plots, compared to the control plot, while the density of soil mites was not significantly different. In all the polluted plots, the numbers of Oribatida (Cryptostigmata) and Gamasida (Mesostigmata) species was lower than in the control plot. Among mites, the following categories were distinguished: (1) those sensitive to nitrogen pollution, (2) those sensitive only to high pollution levels, but tolerant of the medium and small concentrations and (3) those tolerant of this pollution.