The effect of megalopolis environment on the feeding activity of soil saprophages in urban forests

Resumo

The feeding activity of soil saprophages was assessed by the bait-lamina test in pine forests of native origin within the city of Yekaterinburg and its suburbs in 2011–2013. Four areas, drastically different in terms of manifestation of two main factors—urbanization and recreation loads—were compared. The effect of urbanization on the feeding activity of soil saprophages was both positive and negative. Recreation loads, as a rule, adversely affected the feeding activity. Probable mechanisms responsible for the influence of a large city environment on the feeding activity of soil saprophages are discussed.