Epigean macroinvertebrates as bioindicators of soil restoration in an Andean Cloud Forest

Abstract

To propose a useful and simple tool for soil assessment in ecological restoration, we sampled epigean macroinvertebrate funa in an Andean Cloud Forest. Plots representing different stages of ecological succession were selected, ranging from active pasture to primary cloud forest. Fauna was collected using pitfall traps. A Correspondence Analysis (CO) revealed faunal groups associated with forest conditions featuring greater vegetation cover and litter biomass. In contrast, other groups were linked to pastures with green grass cover and no litter biomass. Indicator Species Analysis (ISA) identified taxa with bioindicator potential. For advanced stages of succession, the following species were identified: Scarabaeinae, Carabidae, and Gryllidae; for intermediate stages, Formicidae, Blattodea, and Dermaptera; and for recent stages and active pastures, Auchenorrhyncha, Isopoda, and Arionidae. Finally, the Soil Valuation (VS) index is proposed, based on bioindicator taxa, which effectively distinguished sites in advanced stages from those in recent stages of forest restoration in the studied cloud forest.