Soil Collembola communities along a steep microclimatic gradient in the collapse doline of the Silicka A3/4adnica Cave, Slovak Karst (Slovakia)

In spring 2005 we investigated the collembolan communities in the 50-m-deep collapse doline of the perennial ice cave Silicka A3/4adnica in the Slovak Karst (Slovakia). Samples were taken at seven sites along a 117.5-m-long transect on the slope from the ice-bearing cave mouth at the bottom of the doline up to the terrain surface at 500 m above sea level (a.s.l.). The temperature above the soil surface (+0.6 to +13.6A degrees C) positively correlated with altitude. Species numbers (ranging from 20-32) and diversity indices were highest at sites in the middle of the slope with rendzina and well developed organic profiles. A Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA revealed significant differences in abundance between the sites. Mean abundance near the permafrost zone at the bottom of the doline was significantly higher than at the sites further upslope. The abundances of some eurytopic and forest species were significantly correlated with soil temperature. Cluster analysis and the IndVal method indicated differences in the structure of Collembolan communities along the transect. The community at the coldest site had the lowest species richness and the highest mean abundance of individuals. A total of ten montane species were recorded, with a lower number near the permafrost zone compared to the micro-climatically more favourable middle section of the gradient.