Distribution, Abundance, and Biomass of Colorado Alpine Tundra Arthropods

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Abstract
Population densities, distributions and biomass of predominant soil and surface active arthropods were determined for major alpine tundra plant communities on Niwot Ridge, Colorado [USA]. Sampling (soil coring and Berlese-Tullgren extraction for soil arthropods, pitfall mark and recapture for surface active arthropods) was conducted during the summer months of 1971 and 1972. Soils are dominated by mites and podurid collembola. Both groups exhibit mid-summer depressions in abundance, and mites are more abundant in the Kobresia meadow than in the Deschampsia habitat. Podurid collembola are significantly more abundant in the cushion fellfield during much of summer than in other habitats. Soil arthropod biomass increases along a decreasing moisture gradient. The ground beetles and spiders are the dominant ground surface arthropods. Amara alpina, a ground beetle and Pardosa concinna, a wolf spider, were most abundant in the Kobresia meadow; scarab beetles and P. ourayensis (wolf spider) were most abundant in Deschampsia. No surface active taxon was most abundant in the cushion fellfield; this was probably due to the harsh nature of that environment. Ground surface arthropod biomass was highest in the Kobresia meadow and was lower in 1972 than in 1971. Grasshoppers (Aeropedellus clavatus and Melanoplus spp.), leafhoppers and insect larvae are important foliage herbivores.

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