Abstract

Oribatid mites were sampled from deep soil, soil cores, litter bags, and woody litter on a clearcut and adjacent control hardwood watershed at Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory, North Carolina. The inclusion of woody litter and deep soil samples caused the total number of genera found to reach 72, as opposed to the 37–42 genera range reported in other studies. The more common genera were assigned to three habitat types based on stratification data. The fauna was similar to those of other holarctic study sites. Sampling a greater variety of habitat types yielded a richer fauna than intensive sampling of a few habitat types. Clearcutting caused a reduction in numbers and a shift in faunal dominance. This effect is attributed to temperature-humidity phenomena rather than to food availability.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.