Makrofaunalar

Makrofaunalar, or macrofauna, are a category of animals large enough to be seen without a microscope. In soil and sediment ecology they are typically defined as organisms longer than about 2 millimeters. They occur in a range of habitats, including soil, leaf litter, freshwater and marine sediments, and can be terrestrial or aquatic.

Macrofauna play a central role in ecosystem functioning through bioturbation, which mixes soil and litter; decomposition and mineralization of organic matter; and the creation of soil structure and porosity. They influence moisture dynamics, aeration, and nutrient cycling, and they are important in food webs, providing prey for larger predators and shaping plant communities through seed dispersal and herbivory.

Common groups include earthworms and other annelids; various insects such as beetles, ants, termites, and larger larvae; isopods and other crustaceans; snails and slugs; and larger mollusks. In aquatic systems macrofauna includes many crustaceans, mollusks, and some fish and amphibians associated with sediments. The diversity and abundance of macrofauna are influenced by moisture, temperature, pH, oxygen, and the amount and type of organic matter in the environment.

Studying macrofauna provides indicators of soil and habitat health and informs land management and restoration. Human activities such as tillage, drainage, pollution, intensive grazing, and pesticide use can reduce macrofauna diversity and alter soil processes. Macrofauna are frequently assessed alongside mesofauna and microfauna to evaluate ecosystem functioning and resilience.