Population dynamics of soil Acarina in natural and degraded forest ecosystem at Pathalipam, Lakhimpur, Assam

Abstract

Population density of soil Acarina in natural and degraded forest sites were studied for one year at Lakhimpur ,Assam (26°48 27°53 latitude and 93°42 94°20´E longitude , 101 amsl) . Vertical and seasonal distribution of total soil Acarina were more in natural forest (396 . 74 x 10 2 m - 2) than degrsded forest (226 . 32 x 10 2 m - 2) and showed a significant decrease from upper layer to deeper layers (0 - 30cm) . In natural forest soil Acarina recorded higher population during rainy season (228 . 66 x 10²m ֿ²) , followed by summer (108 . 74 x 10²m ֿ²) and winter season (59 . 34 x 10²m ֿ²) than degraded forest respectively . While physical factors exhibited significant correlation with soil Acarina except relative humidity , some chemical factors were significant correlationship and some were insignificant relation wih soil Acarina . Key words : population density of soil Acarina in different seasons and soil depth , Natural and Degraded forest ecosystem of Lakhimpur , Assam .