urbanization, green spaces, conservation, soil macrofauna, bare soil, vegetated soil.
Abstract :
[en] Urban environments provide very lively soils with highly heterogeneous biodiversity. Green spaces are the
determinants of ecosystem service provision. In cities, they play an essential role in the conservation and
promotion of biodiversity. However, the daily functioning of cities disrupts the biological life of fauna and flora.
This study aims to assess the abundance and diversity of soil macrofauna (SMF) in urban green spaces (UGS) in
the city of Lubumbashi (DRC) using a comparative approach of bare soil (BS) - vegetated soil (VS). Six UGS were
selected, and each was divided into two soil occupations: (VS) and (BS). For each soil occupation, 4 sampling
points were randomly selected. Monoliths of the TSBF (Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility) type were excavated
to collect the SMF by manual sorting. This study demonstrates that the total abundance of soil macrofauna is
influenced by the level of vegetation in the soils of the city of Lubumbashi's green spaces. The total abundance
of soil macrofauna in all the studied sites is higher in VS than in BS. The taxonomy results reveal 8 genera of
ants, 5 of earthworms, and 4 of termites. Across all sites, termites constitute the most abundant taxonomic
group. Regarding the diversity of the SMF, in each taxonomic group, there is a genus capable of adapting to
disturbed environments, particularly on BS in urban settings. This genus is Eisenia for earthworms, Messor for
ants, and Cubitermes for termites.
