Spread of Collembola at Different Altitudes and Their Response to the Environment at Gunung Halimun-Salak National Park

Abstract

Collembola is a soil fauna that is beneficial for soil health. Collembola had a role in the food chain as one who helps in reshuffle organic matter. However, until now, the Collembola still not yet known widely in Indonesia. The aim of this study to assess the Collembola distribution based on height, besides that also study the influence of environmental factors like moisture, temperature, and soil fertility to the Collembola. The research was done at National Park in Mount Halimun Salak on seven altitudes. Those seven altitudes spread on five resorts, namely Koneng Mountain Resorts (500 m asl), Cimantaja Resort (700 - 900 m asl), Gunung Kencana Resort (1,100 masl) and Cikaniki Resort (1,300 – 1,700 masl). The method used the pitfall trap method. The results showed that the abundance of Collembola in all observation areas was 1,620 individuals, consisting of 3 orders and nine families. The abundance of Collembola shows a difference according to altitude. The highest abundance and diversity are at an altitude of 1,100 masl. Family Entomobryidae is predominantly found at seven altitudes but is more dominant at an altitude of 1,500 masl. The abundance of Collembola influenced by litter, total N, and C-organic.