In forest management, forest typology is often used in long-term planning. Its basic unit is forest site, which represents a relatively permanent biocoenosis with phytocoenological similarity. Some animal species respond to changes in the ecosystem faster than flora and therefore can be used as bioindicators of ecosystem development and stability.

   In the network of 38 localities covering 12 forest site complexes (FSC), occurrence of millipede, centipede and terrestrial isopods was investigated (a method of pitfall traps, 14.851 ex., 42 species). In order to specify the environmental characteristics, data from 30 weather stations were used, detailed pedological research including soil chemistry and phytocoenological research were carried out. Obtained data were processed by non-metric multidimensional scaling (MNDS), principal component analysis (PCA) and canonical correspondence analysis (CCA). Distribution of certain species in relation to different forest site complexes was determined by CCA analysis. Discriminating factors were coverage by herbaceous vegetation and contents of Ca and Mg in soil. All three studied groups of species, i.e. millipedes, centipedes and terrestrial isopods, were evaluated as significant for bioindication within the forest ecosystems. Centipedes and millipedes enabled us to associate each FSC with a specific species. Terrestrial isopods indicated well the localities with high groundwater level and the process of peat formation.

Keywords: centipede, millipede, indicator of forest site complex, mountain, Norway spruce, beech.