Structure and function of soil biota on anthropogenic landscapes Origin and distribution of soil fauna in human dominated landscapes: biodiversity in urban and agro-ecosystems Neighborhood scale assessment of soil invertebrates Ecology and reproductive biology of invasive species Invasive soil fauna and biogeochemical cycling The detritus food web in urban forest soils Amynthas, 2006. Photo: Kathy Szlavecz   Csaba Csuzdi and BES students set up an experimental plot, 2006. Photo: Kathy Szlavecz Soil biota provide many ecosystem services. They process the majority of dead organic matter and thereby influence rates of nutrient release. Soil animals also aerate soils and influence the distribution of microorganisms. The composition of soil communities may therefore be important in understanding ecosystem dynamics. There are many factors that determine the community structure of soil biota. In addition to physical conditions, past and present disturbances (human and natural) can affect species diversity, abundance, and activity. The main objective of our research is to understand the influence of the environment on soil community structure and ecosystem function. The central questions of the soil biodiversity project are:   How do past and present land use changes affect soil community structure and abundance? What is the significance of exotic species in urban and suburban environments? Do differences in biodiversity indicate different functions in the decomposer subsystem? We monitor soil fauna on the BES research sites (permanent plots, Cub Hill) and carry out laboratory and field mesocosm experiments to answer these questions. In collaboration with European scientists we compare soil fauna from several cities.
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