Composition and diversity of Arthopod community in Masson Pine stands

Abstract

Arthopod communities in various layers of pine stands were investigated from January 1997 to December 1998 in two sample plots with similar stands and equivalent area (22 m×22 m) and without any sylvicultural and pest-suppressing measures in the Jiulianshan Forest Farm in Southern Anhui Province. In every sample plot the percentages of species number of phytophagous, predatory, and parasitic insects and spiders that accounted for the total species number were about 52%, 14%, 8% and 20%, respectively. The ratio of beneficial to harmful species numbers was around 11.2 in each sample plot; the ratio of beneficial to harmful organism individual numbers was 15.7 and 16.6, respectively . Dominant groups existed in the same layers of the two sampling plots . Species number ranked in the following order: brush and herb layer tree layer litter layer soil layer. Averages of the individual percentage of tree layer, brush and herb layer, litter layer and soil layer in two sample plots were 39.6%, 33.1%, 22.8% and 4.6%, respectively. The species number and index of diversity from March to August were largest, and there were two peaks emerging in May and August, respectively. Principal component analysis indicated that recovery-stability of this kinds of community was not strong, and the natural control potential was weak.