Seasonal fluctuation of different edaphic microarthropod population densities in relation to soil moisture and temperature in a pine,Pinus kesiya Royle plantation ecosystem

Abstract

Seasonal fluctuations of soil and litter microarthropod populations in a pine,Pinus kesiya Royle plantation of North Eastern India were investigated between November 1976 and November 1977. Three major groups were recognized: (a) Collembola, (b) Acarina and (c) miscellaneous. Collembola was the most abundant group and was dominated byIsotoma trispinata (MacGillivray). The total microarthropod density ranged from 26,800 per m2 to 145,200 per m2. Collembola densities ranged from 10,000 to 121,200 per m2, Acarina densities ranged from 8,800 to 41,600 per m2, and the miscellaneous group ranged from 1,200 to 6,400 per m2. Soil moisture was positively correlated with total arthropod, Collembola and Acarina densities. Soil temperature was positively correlated only with Acarina. Densities of Collembola and Acarina were negatively correlated.