The History of N. M. Chernova’s Scientific School of Soil Zoology at the Moscow Pedagogical State University

The article reviews the history and scientific contributions of the soil zoology school at Moscow Pedagogical State University, founded by Academician Mercury Sergeevich Gilyarov and led by Professor Nina Mikhailovna Chernova. A key theoretical contribution from this school was the development of succession theory, which describes changes in soil invertebrate communities during plant litter decomposition. The school’s primary research focus has been on soil microarthropods, particularly springtails (Collembola) and mites—groups that are crucial for soil fertility and bioindication yet remain understudied. We trace the school’s progress in the taxonomy, faunistic studies, and ecology of soil invertebrates, emphasizing its foundation in field studies and laboratory experiments. Though its development was further strengthened through national and international collaborations, many of N. M. Chernova’s seminal ideas are not widely known outside Russia due to language barriers and limited access to publications. Her students continue to address this issue while advancing the study of soil zoology, ecology, and its history.