Soil Ciliated Protist Communities from Natural Sites and Agroecosystems in Italy

Aim: In this study, and for the first time in Italy, we have investigated the diversity and the community structure of soil ciliates from natural sites and agroecosystems in Marche Region (Italy). The main aims were: i) to evaluate the capacity of ciliates to discriminate between different types of land uses; ii) farming management practices; and iii) to assess relationships among ciliate community and abiotic parameters. Method: Soil samples were collected twice from 10 sites [5 natural sites: FORest (virgin soils); and 5 agricultural fields: 3 ORGanic (minimum tillage) and 2 CONventional (sod seeding)]. Ciliate communities were studied by means of qualitative (non-flooded Petri dish method) and quantitative methods. Soil chemical-physical parameters (texture, CEC NPK, OM, C/N, soil moisture, temperature) were also measured. Results: Qualitative ciliate analysis allowed us to identify a total of 59 species representing 29 genera and 12 orders (including 10 species new to science). ORG sites were the richest in species followed by CON and FOR. Multivariate analysis showed statistically significant differences between natural sites (FORest) and agricultural sites, as well as between the ORGanic and CONventional management farming systems. CCA analysis showed correlations between the distribution of species with environmental parameters indicating the importance of these parameters in shaping the ciliate communities in the different type sites. Conclusions: Altogether, these results showed the bioindicative potential of ciliate communities in discriminating between natural sites (FORests) and agroecosystems, as well as their capacity to discriminate, at least preliminary, between different soil management systems (ORG vs CON).