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 and three plantations (Nauclea diderichii, Gmelina arborea and Tectona grandis plantations) in Akure Forest Reserve, Aponmu Nigeria to examine the effect of plantation development on both the abundance and species diversity of litter ar- thropods and mesofauna. The effect of microorganism's abundance and species diversity on their abundance and species diversity was also assessed. Sample Plot of 100 m × 100 m blocks were laid in each habitat. Soil samples were taken from the selected sample plots to isolate and identify mesofauna and microorganisms while litter arthropods caught were pre- served and 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 arthro- pods were however encountered in the study area (distributed in 27 species). Natural forest accounts for the highest in both the species diversity and abundance (i.e. 21 individuals and 11 species respectively.) Tectona grandis accounts for the least species diversity in the studied habitats (5 species) and Gmelina arborea plantation has the least abundance of litter arthro- pods (12 individuals).