Research Article | Published: 30 December 2024

Microarthropod community responses to soil variability in a subtropical deciduous forest of the Eastern Ghats, India

Pratik Acharya, Suryasikha Samal and Choudhury Suryakant Mishra

Journal of Non-Timber Forest Products | Volume: 31 | Issue: 4 | Page No. 287-293 | 2024
DOI: https://doi.org/10.54207/bsmps2000-2024-67B57T | Cite this article

Abstract

This study explores seasonal variation in soil microarthropods-Collembola, Acari, and Hymenoptera- across five habitat types: degraded forest (DF), dense mixed forest (DMF), open mixed forest (OMF), bamboo forest (BF), and wetland (WL) in a subtropical deciduous forest of the Eastern Ghats in India. Seven Collembola and four species each of Acari and Hymenoptera were identified, though species diversity remained low across zones. Collembola were consistently abundant in wetlands, independent of season. Microarthropod populations peaked during the wet season. Correlation analysis and PCA (Principal Component Analysis) revealed strong positive associations with soil moisture and organic carbon, with significant population differences observed between dry and wet seasons.

Keywords

Acari, Collembola, Diversity, Edaphic factors, Hymenoptera, Soil

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About this article

How to cite

Acharya, P., Samal, S. and Mishra, C.S., 2024. Microarthropod community responses to soil variability in a subtropical deciduous forest of the Eastern Ghats, India. Journal of Non-Timber Forest Products, 31(4), pp.287-293. https://doi.org/10.54207/bsmps2000-2024-67B57T

Publication History

Manuscript Received on 29 July 2024

Manuscript Revised on 18 December 2024

Manuscript Accepted on 23 December 2024

Manuscript Published on 30 December 2024

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