This study was carried out to investigate composition and distribution of the soil microarthropods in Pinus rigida plantations following strip-cutting from May 1998 to Apil 1999. The results of this study were as follows; 1. The individuals of soil ...
This study was carried out to investigate composition and distribution of the soil microarthropods in Pinus rigida plantations following strip-cutting from May 1998 to Apil 1999. The results of this study were as follows; 1. The individuals of soil microarthropods found during the research periods were 181, 904 and were identified into 21 orders in 7 classes. The classes were Arachnida, Insecta, Malacostra, Pauropoda, Diplopoda, Chilopoda and Symphyla. 2. The population density of the soil microarthropods was 82,962 individuals at the control area, 62,688 individuals at the reserve area and 36,254 individuals at the cutting area. The microarthropods in the control area were 2 times higher than those in the cutting area. 3. Although the major dominant taxa, Acari and Collembola, decreased in densities at the cutting area, the density reduction in Acari was higher than that in Collembola. This resulted in the increase of Collembola in terms of the relative abundance at the cutting area. 4. Among the total soil microarthropods, Arachnida was 59.74%, followed by Insecta of 39.82%. Such two groups comprise 99.56% of soil microarthropods. 5. According to the relative population density, Acari was 99.18% in Arachnida and 59.25% in the total and Collembola 93.99% in Insecta and 37.42% in the total. Therefore, individuals of Acari and Collembola was 96.67% of the total individuals. And the next abundant groups were Hymenoptera (0.95%), Diptera (0.64%) and Pseudoscorpiones (0.39%). 6. The population density of the soil microarthropods fluctuated seasonally, showing the bimodal pattern, being high in fall and spring. The highest density occurred in November and the lowest in July.