Soorthabitats

Soorthabitats is a term used in some ecological inventories to describe a defined unit of habitat that arises from stable combinations of soil properties and microtopography. The concept treats microhabitats as coherent ecological units within a larger landscape, emphasizing the role of soil characteristics in shaping community composition.

Key drivers include soil moisture regime, texture and depth, organic matter content, pH, salinity, drainage, and the local microclimate created by slope, aspect, and litter cover. Disturbance history, such as grazing or fire, can modify these conditions and redefine soorthabitats over time.

Common examples of soorthabitats are wet microhabitats in seepage zones or depressions, dry microsites on exposed ridges or south-facing slopes, shaded microhabitats under dense canopies, and transitional zones where moisture and temperature gradients intersect. These units often host assemblages distinct from surrounding habitats.

Ecologically, soorthabitats can support specialized plants, invertebrates, fungi, and microbial communities that depend on stable microconditions. They frequently contribute high beta diversity within a landscape and may serve as refugia during disturbances or climate change.

Applications include habitat mapping, biodiversity assessment, and restoration planning. Conservation strategies focus on preserving soil structure and hydrological regimes, reducing compaction, and maintaining vegetation cover to sustain the microhabitats that define soorthabitats.