Edaphic arthropods as indicators of the ecological condition of temperate grassland ecosystems: A systematic review

Temperate grasslands are part of one the biggest biomes on earth, sustaining high levels biodiversity and providing multiple ecosystem services. However, area covered by this open is decreasing worldwide, due to several threats like land use change or climate change. Ground-dwelling arthropods an important group community grassland soil invertebrates, they play a key role within ecosystem, while at same time being sensitive changes caused management practices grazing, mowing, prescribed fire, etc. Using Web Science database, we conducted systematic review identify which groups used as indicators evaluate ecological condition in temperate regions, indices measured. As have been traditionally managed humans for centuries, their intrinsically linked development different mowing restoration strategies, usually affect vegetation structure. We found that macro-arthropods were greater number studies than micro-arthropods (91% vs 15%), size group, beetles preferred indicator most types (49% studies), followed spiders ants. Few grasshoppers monitor changes. The more frequently assessed species richness abundance, identified response was quite heterogeneous. Restoration grazing effects two factors evaluated macro-arthropods, (Acari Collembola) dominant assess type. Overall, our findings highlight need increase some explore potential overlooked arthropods, include measure functional diversity composition.