Comparative Survey of Litter Arthropods and Soil Mesofauna in the Natural Forest and Plantation (a Case Study: Akure Forest Reserve Aponmu)

Abstract

*[The abundance and species diversity of mesofauna and litter arthropods were surveyed in the natural forest & 3 plantations (Nauclea diderichii, Gmelina arborea, Tectona grandis plantations) in Akure Forest Reserve, Aponmu Nigeria to examine the effect of plantation development on both the abundance & species diversity of litter arthropods and mesofauna. Sample Plot of 100 m x 100 m blocks were laid in each habitat. Soil samples were taken from the selected sample plots to isolate & identify mesofauna and microorganisms, while litter arthropods caught were preserved & identified. During the survey, 1165 individuals of mesofauna were encountered (distributed in 23 species) in all the studied habitats. Mesofauna abundance was highest in Gmelina arborea plantation (334 individuals) while Nauclea diderichii plantation has the least abundance of 201 individuals. Highest species diversity was recorded in Natural forest with 23 species while the least species diversity was found in the Tectona grandis plantation. 64 individual of litter arthropods were however encountered in the study area (distributed in 27 species). Natural forest accounts for the highest in both the species diversity & abundance (21 individuals & 11 species respectively.) Tectona grandis accounts for the least species diversity in the studied habitats (5 species) & Gmelina arborea plantation has the least abundance of litter arthropods (12 individuals). Ants recorded the highest species diversity & were present in all the habitats of the studied areas. ]