Cold-hardiness of the most common soil invertebrates in Northeast Asia. 2. Cold-hardiness as an adaptation to climate

Abstract

Data on the occurrence and adaptive potential of three mechanisms of cold-hardiness are analyzed in different taxa of soil invertebrates under the conditions of the cold climate of Northeast Asia. The relationship between low temperature resistance and overwintering conditions in selected species is discussed. It is shown that taxonomically close species may have different mechanisms and values of cold-hardiness. The effect of winter low temperature resistance on the biotopical distribution and formation of the soil invertebrate fauna in permafrost regions is assessed.