In a mull-like rendzinaunder SesleriaP a brown earth under Festuca-Aerostis and 2 gleyed podsolic earths under Nardusr greatest densities of Acari and Collembola were found in the upper 4 cm. The surface concentration of the fauna was greater in the podsolic brown earths (87%-91% of the total) which had distinct L, F and H layers overlying mineral horizons, than in the brown earth and the mull-like rendzina (76%-79% of the total) where there was no surface accumulation of litter and where the A horizon consisted of mixed mineral and organic matter. The vertical distribution of individual species was closely related to their life cycle.