Abstract: We analyzed the differences in taxonomic composition and diversity of soil microarthropod communities among six tree plantations (two coniferous plantations ofCunnighamia lanceolata and Pinus massoniana, and four broad-leaved plantations of Mytilaria laosensis, Castanopsis hicklii, Michelia macclurei andBetuia alnoides) in Pingxiang City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China. A total of 575 soil microarthropod individuals were extracted and identified into three classes, 10 orders, 58 families and 79 genera. The compositional structure of soil microarthropod communities differed among the six plantations, with Oribatida, Prostigmata and Hymenoptera being the dominant orders. The Pielou evenness index of soil microarthropod in the P. massonianaplantation was relatively higher than that in the M. laosensis and C. lanceolata plantations (P<0.05). The abundance of Prostigmata (P<0.05) in theM. laosensisplantation was significantly higher than that in other plantations. The transmission coefficient for diffuse penetration, mean leaf angle, total phosphorus, and soil pH were the main environmental factors driving soil microarthropod communities. The abundance and diversity of soil microarthropods were relatively higher in the C. hickliiplantation and lower in the C. lanceolata plantation, and abundance of Oribatida, Prostigmata and Hymenoptera were also higher in the C. hickliiand M. laosensis plantations. Our results indicated that M. laosensisor C. hickliican be planted to transform theC. lanceolataplantation forests, with the aim to regulate the compositional structure and diversity of soil microarthropod communities.

Key words: soil fauna, diversity, plantation forest, south subtropics.