The use of collembolans (Collembola: Arthropoda) as a biological indicator in comparison of different land use and seasons in Karabük

Land use types and seasonal conditions are effective factors on soil properties and soil quality. One of the criteria of soil quality is biological indicators. The effects of different land use types and seasonal changes on soil biological quality have been investigated with biological indicators. For this purpose, the amount and biodiversity of Collembola in the soil and the QBS-c index (Soil Biological Quality Index based on Collembolans) were used. For this purpose, three replications samplings were carried out for 4 seasons from the area representing 4 different land use types, consisting of afforested area, bush area, natural meadow area and tillage area in the Kılavuzlar village, Karabuk. Soil samples were taken with 5x5 cm cylinders and extracted. Collembolans in the examples are classified at the family level. Collembolans were evaluated in terms of amount and biodiversity as well as the QBS-c index depending on their ecological morphological properties and statistical analyzes were performed. As a result of the research, an annual average of 12853 individuals/m² Collembola was found in the study area. Different land use types did not affect amount and biodiversity of Collembola. The average amount of Collembola is the highest in spring and autumn (20,500 individuals/m²) and the lowest in summer (2761 individuals/m²) and is significantly different. Although the QBS-c index value is similar among land use types, it was found to be seasonally different. In this study, the QBS-c index value and the quantity and biodiversity values of Collembolans gave similar results as soil quality indicators and are interchangeable. Since the QBS-c index is an easier method that does not require counting all individuals in the sample, it can be recommended for practical applications.