Soil mesofauna community structure under Alstonia scholaris (L.) R. Br. stands in Bukit Pinteir, Central Bangka: relationship with abiotic and biotic factors

Abstract Soil mesofauna are key bioindicators of ecosystem health due to their sensitivity to environmental changes. This study analyzed the community structure of soil mesofauna and its relationship with abiotic and biotic factors in Alstonia scholaris stands at Bukit Pinteir, Central Bangka. Sampling was conducted using pitfall traps and Berlese–Tullgren extractors across six plots, while microclimatic and soil parameters were measured concurrently. A total of 51 genera and 966 individuals were recorded, with Pseudoparonella , Anoplolepis , and Lepidonella dominating the community. Diversity and evenness indices indicated low to moderate stability, reflecting dominance by a few taxa. Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) showed that mesofauna composition was strongly associated with air humidity, soil temperature, and light intensity. These findings highlight the importance of soil mesofauna in assessing soil quality and provide baseline data to support biodiversity conservation and post-mining land reclamation in Bangka Belitung.