Spatial patterns and local diversity in soil oribatid mites (Acari: Oribatida) in three pine plantation forests

► Oribatida assemblages are spatially structured. ► There is significant distance decay in species presence/absence patterns. ► Spatial dependence is present at distances below 40-70 m. ► Observed spatial patterns may be consistent with ecological drift. ► Spatial dependance in community structure may have methodological implications.