Collembola of terrestrial ecosystems near Pymvashor stream (Subarctic Hydrothermal System)

Study Extent

Data were collected in 2009, 2010 and 2019. In 2009, soil sampling was carried out to record springtails species occurring in the area in winter period (november). Eight sites were established in 2010 including terrestrial ecosystems in thermal zone of Pymvashor stream and outside the Hydrothermal System and eight were studied in 2019: three near thermal zone, three near karst zone, tundra and forest. Soil samples were taken once per year.

Sampling

Springtails were sampled in 17 biotops. Only soil extraction was used.

Quality Control

The data were collected and identified to species by specialist from the Institute of Biology of Komi Scientific Centre of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

Method steps

1. Three-five soil samples randomly obtained from each plot with a soil corer of 10 cm in diameter down to the depth of 5-10 cm. The soil samples were transported to the Institute of Biology (IB Komi SC UB RAS), Syktyvkar. Extraction was performed in Tullgren funnel extractors for seven-ten days under 40 Watt bulbs using a 96 % alcohol. The extraction time was sufficient for soil to reach the air-dry condition. Extracted springtails were separated from all other invertebrates and counted under a binocular microscope. They were then slide-mounted on cavity slides and identified to the species level using applicable determination keys (Fjellberg, 1998, 2007; Potapov, 2001, Kaprus et al., 2016).

The thermal springs Pymvashor are located in the southeastern part of the Bolshezemelskaya tundra, near Adzva river - the right tributary of the Usa river. The eastern part of the Bolshezemelskaya tundra is a huge territory of the Nenets Autonomous Region, adjacent to the western macro slope of the Polar and Subpolar Urals.Geologically the research area belongs to the Ural regional deflection and, in particular, to one of its most active folded structures - the Chernyshov ridge. The territory is located in tundra zone. The research area is characterized by long cold winters with stable snow cover, a short growing season, and high rainfall. The thermal tract Pymvashor is an extended tectonic log dissecting Chernyshov's ridge in the transverse direction. The sides of the log are composed of limestones of lower Carboniferous.