Abstract:
This article reviewed published papers on the use of soil and litter arthropods as biological indicators of
soil quality since the 1970s. Our review shows that soil and litter arthropods are litter transformers and
ecosystem engineers. They contribute to the availability of organic matter. Their diversity, abundance,
biomass, and density are suitable measures for the assessment of natural and/or anthropogenic effects on
soil. However, their use is challenged by difficulties in sampling methods and the identification of soil and
litter arthropod diversity up to species level, and few research projects combine both abiotic and biotic
factors. We recommend further research to investigate the most suitable methods for sampling soil and
litter arthropods, and create a classification of dominant groups up to species level which, along with the
use of integrative methodologies, will be valuable steps towards a generalized and accepted method for the
assessment of soil quality.
