International Journal of Ecology and Environmental Sciences
Influence of Different Chemoedaphic Factors on Soil Inhabiting Microarthropods in a Forest Ecosystem of South Assam
Abstract
Soil is the uppermost weathered layer of the earth supporting diverse group of soil fauna. Soil inhabiting microarthropods play a vital role in sustaining the food web of the soil ecosystem through their association in the process of nutrient mineralization, litter decomposition and microbial activity. The present study elucidates the influence of edaphic factors on soil inhabiting microarthropods in a forest ecosystem. Soil samples were randomly collected at a monthly interval with a stainless steel soil corer at depths of 0-10 cm, 10-20 cm and 20-30 cm. From the collected soil samples, microarthropods population was extracted using Modified Tullgren funnel apparatus and standard protocol was followed for the assessment of various edaphic factors. Oribatid and Collembola were reported as the most dominant microarthropods group across all soil depths. The soil dwelling microarthropods population densities peaked during monsoon season while the least was observed during post-monsoon season. Among the various physico-chemical parameters, soil temperature and soil available potassium depicted statistically significant positive correlation with soil microarthropods population. The present study provides evidence of the close interaction of the soil inhabiting microarthropods population with edaphic factors.
Regression
Keywords
References
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