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Soil organisms are an important component of the biodiversity of terrestrial biogeocenoses. Their considerable taxonomic and ecological variability determines a significant functional role in soil formation processes, mechanisms of sustainable development and productivity of natural ecosystems. The aim of the study is to develop a practical approach to the ecological assessment of soil organisms populations using the example of Diplopoda in the southern region of Albania. The study was carried out using general scientific methods of cognition: system and cluster analysis, synthesis, specification, abstraction, formalization, deduction, generalization, and the statistical method. The article systematizes and analyses statistical data on the assessment of populations of millipede species found in the study area. It considers the influence of environmental factors on the distribution of representatives of the class Diplopoda. It calculated the frequency of species according to the collection areas, constant values for the species of the three represented orders. Based on the data variety, composition of each zone is carried out with cluster analysis using Average Linkage. The similarity between zones is studied. The dendrogram obtained indicates the proximity of zones according to their diversity composition. Based on the results of the study, a system of tools was proposed as part of the ecological assessment of soil organisms populations, and the main approaches to its implementation were developed. The practical significance of the obtained results lies in the possibility of using them to study the dynamics of soil organism populations, including in the period of global climate change, to develop a dynamic approach to the ecological assessment of soil ecosystems and to implement an appropriate adaptation and regeneration strategy

Class Шplays an important role in natural ecosystems, because it supports biodiversity and soil stability, and a change in the number or distribution of centipede species can indicate changes in the environment, such as pollution, soil degradation, climate change, etc. The purpose of the study is to identify the existing species of soil animals of the Diplopoda class, as well as to determine environmental factors that can affect their distribution. Species’ diversity was assessed by collecting individuals and classifying them into order, family, genus, and species. Climatic factors, namely temperature and precipitation, are also determined. As a result of the study, ecological aspects of centipede development were evaluated and their distribution and dependence on environmental factors, such as climatic, edaphic, and trophic factors, were analysed. In the southern region of Albania, 22 species of the Diplopoda class of the Myriapoda group were identified, among which mainly decomposers of organic remains and phytophages. The regions of Llogara and Šhašhica were noted as the regions with the highest diversity of millipedes. In addition, it was established that the variation of species is influenced by the environment, the presence of organic substances, and climatic factors. Temperature and humidity are determining factors influencing the distribution of the Diplopoda class in different biotopes. Species that have a large regional distribution and are most widespread in time throughout the year: Pachyiulus cattarensis, found in the period June-November, Glomeris pulchra – May-July, SeptemberOctober, Pachyiulus varius – May-October. A less active period was noted for the following species: Polydesmus complanatus, Glomeris latermarginata, Typhloiulus albanichus, Pachyiulus hungaricus, Glomeris pustullata. The research, which was carried out, is of practical importance for nature conservation, as the Diplopoda class plays an important role in maintaining ecosystems and biodiversity and can be an indicator of the state of the environment

Recently, the problem of preserving biodiversity on the planet has become increasingly relevant. Therefore, research on the ecological characteristics of organisms that play an important role in the functioning of biogeocoenoses is especially relevant. Chilipoda millipedes are one of these groups. Currently, many questions on the ecology of Chilopods, especially in the territory of Albania, remain unresolved. This motivates researchers to seek answers to these issues. The primary research aim is to analyse the specific features of the ecology of the Chilipoda millipedes inhabiting Vlora. The material used for the study was the author's collections of centipedes. Manual collection and soil sampling methods were used in the research. Determination of the taxonomic affiliation of centipedes was performed by examining the morphological features of centipedes under a stereoscopic microscope and further determining specimens with the help of determination keys. In the field under investigation, the Chilipoda fauna is represented by 6 species from 4 orders, 6 genera, and 5 families. Temperature and humidity have been shown to have a significant influence on the geographical distribution of chilopods: thus, the occurrence of centipedes in litter and the upper soil layer decreases significantly with the onset of drought. The character of flora plays a secondary role in the distribution of centipedes. It was established that soils with high content of humus and nitrogen are a favourable habitat for centipedes. The paper presents, for the first time for the Vlora region, data on the vertical distribution of S. coleoptrata along the soil profile. Scootigers preferred litter and did not migrate into the soil. Other representatives of Chilipoda were mainly found in the uppermost soil layer (0-10 cm), moreover Chilipoda were concentrated in the litter, and only a small part of them descended to a depth of 20 cm. The obtained results contribute to the knowledge of the ecological features of chilopods