bodemmijten

Bodemmijten, known in English as soil mites, are a diverse and ubiquitous group of tiny arachnids that inhabit soil and leaf litter. They are among the most abundant soil-dwelling animals in many terrestrial ecosystems and play essential roles in soil processes. Individual bodemmijten are typically less than 1 millimeter in length, which makes them largely invisible to the naked eye, but their collective activity strongly influences soil function.

The soil mite community comprises several lineages, most notably oribatid mites and various groups within the Astigmata and Mesostigmata. Diets range from detritus and fungal material to small invertebrates; many species are detritivores or fungivores, while others are predators or omnivores. Their relative abundance and composition are influenced by environmental factors such as soil moisture, temperature, organic matter content, pH, and land management practices. Some species are highly resilient to drought and disturbance, while others require stable moisture conditions.

Ecological roles of bodemmijten include contributing to the breakdown of organic matter, accelerating nutrient mineralization, and aiding soil aggregation, all of which improve soil structure and fertility. Predatory mites help regulate populations of nematodes and other microarthropods, shaping belowground food webs. Because their communities respond to environmental changes, bodemmijten are commonly used as bioindicators of soil health and the impacts of agricultural management.

Research and methods often involve collecting soil samples and extracting mites using Berlese-Tullgren funnels, followed by microscopic identification. Taxonomic effort is specialized, and accurate identification frequently requires reference keys. Understanding bodemmijten supports assessments of soil quality and sustainable land use.