Seasonal fluctuations of soilfauna and its influence on the decomposition of organic matters in Eucalyptus camaldulensis plantation at Changwat Phitsanulok
Abstract:
Macro-soilfauna and meso-soilfauna were investigated to understand yearly fluctuation in population, biomass and species composition. Environmental factors concerning soil chemical properties (C.E.C., pH, organic matter, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, exchangeable potassium, calcium and magnesium), temperature, relative humidity, water content and litter accumulation from Eucalyptus camaldulensis plantation at changwat Phistsanulok were collected monthly for a year (June 1992-May 1993). The two experiments of leaf litter decomposition were studied by using the "Litter bag Method" : one was set within the season and the other along a year period. Results showed highest peak of numbers, biomass and species compositions of macro-soilfauna in the rainy season but lowest in summer, and the dominant species were beetles both adult and larval stages, termites, ants, and spiders. The highest numbers of meso-soilfauna were found during the late rainy season to winter and the lowest were in summer to the early part of the rainy season. The dominant species of meso-soilfauna were mites and springtails which influenced on significant change in the total number of soilfauna. The highest rate of leaf litter decomposition was in the rainy season but the lowest in winter and summer. It showed positive correlations between number of meso-soilfauna and leaf litter loss in the "Litter Bag Method".