Changing the macrofauna structure of soils of the Northern Urals in the altitudinal zonal gradient (on example of Koip mountain)

The description of plant communities is carried out, the population of soil invertebrates on the eastern slope of Koip mountain (Northern Urals) is characterized. The taxonomic composition is analyzed, and the number of soil zoocenoses in mountain tundra, alpine tundra and mountain forest belts is estimated. Changes in the structure of soil macrofauna in the altitudinal gradient are revealed. The increase of diversity and abundance of soil invertebrates from mountain tundra to forests is shown. The variation in the number of soil invertebrates is observed in the alpine tundra belt, which can be regarded as an ecotone between the belt of mountain tundra and mountain forests. The number of zoocenoses in the upper part of alpine tundra belt is closer to that in mountain tundras. The number of soil invertebrates in the lower part of alpine tundra belt is closer to that marked in birch and spruce forests. The dominant groups of soil macrofauna in the altitudinal gradient are invertebrates - zoophages such as spiders (Aranei), centipedes (Lithobiidae), rove beetles (Staphylinidae). At that, mountain tundras are characterized by the predominance of spiders. Increasing number of earthworms (Lumbricidae) - representatives of the saprotrophic block is registered in mountain forest zone. Patterns of distribution of dominant groups of invertebrates on the ecological profile differ. Spiders dominate in all phytocenoses, differing in the maximum abundance in mountain light forests and bogs. Centipedes prevail in separate communities in the alpine tundra and mountain forest belt. They reach the greatest number in sprucefir forests. The number of rove beetles is increased from mountain tundra to mountain light forests and mountain forests. The highest number of rove beetles is registered in spruce-fir-birch forests. Earthworms are not found in the litter of mountain tundra. They have low abundance in light forests. The peak of diversity and abundance of earthworms is noted in spruce- firbirch forests. The number of click beetles (Elateridae) is low both in mountain tundras, light forests and forests, but for this group, unlike the Staphylinidae and Carabidae, altitudinal change of forest species by tundra ones is marked. In general, soil macrofauna is characterized by high diversity and abundance in mountain forests of grass type on alluvial, less acidic and nitrogen-rich soils.