Recovery of soil arthropods after 1-year forest fires in Mount Merapi National Park Yogyakarta

Abstract

In 2010, pyroclastic flow from eruption of Mount Merapi caused forest fire. Forest fires have an effect on changing soil chemical physics conditions and will directly alter the community of soil arthropods. This study aims to determine the recovery of arthropods after 1-year forest fires. The study area was in conducted severe burnt forest (Kis), medium burnt forest (Gam), light burnt forest (Gal). The study was conducted on September to October 2011 in dry season and March 2012 in wet season. Soil samples were collected by Stratified Random Sampling method. The results showed that the highest number of genus were found in Gam forest: 13 genera (dry season) and 38 genera (wet season). The highest number of individual were found in Kis forest in two seasons: 85 and 241 individuals / 1900 cm3 respectively. The genus Prabhergia and Oppiella are the dominant genera, except in Gal forest dominated by Dolichopodidae. Vegetation growth and the restoration of habitat affected in the development of the soil arthropod community. Imigration and soil moisture affected on increased number of genera and individual in all study site. The results of this study can be used to manage the tropical forest ecosystem of Mount Merapi after fire.