SOIL ARTHROPODA COMMUNITIES IN WONOSADI AND WATUSIPAT FOREST, GUNUNG KIDUL REGENCY

SOIL ARTHROPODA COMMUNITIES IN WONOSADI AND WATUSIPAT FOREST, GUNUNG KIDUL REGENCY

By : Nurul Hidayah (2010)

Abstract

Soil arthropods play important roles in Forest’s organic material decomposition which provide a nutrient for the plant. This study was conducted in Wonosadi and Watusipat Forest, located in Gunungkidul of Yogyakarta. The aims of the study are to investigates the density and diversity of soil arthropods and also its correlation to the environmental factor.
The study was done in October and November 2009 by pitfall trap methods. It was collected from four pitfalls for six times replied. In addition the environmental factor and vegetation was recorded. Vegetation data was collected by quadrates plot methods in measure 10x10 m, 10 plot each location. Floor vegetation in 1x1m, for 40 plots each location. Environment parameter was measured for air and soil temperature, air and soil humidity, soil pH and light intensity.
Wonosadi forest were found 62 families of soil arthropods in total density 62,09 individuals/pitfall. Staphylinidae, Entomobryiidae, Sminthuridae, and Formicidae are the families with the high density. In Watusipat forest were found 48 families of soil arthropods in total density 116,3 individuals/pitfall. Entomobryiidae, Hypogastruridae, Sminthuridae, and Formicidae are the families with the high density. Soil arthropods’s diversity in Wonosadi forest(2,308) was higher than in Watusipat forest(1,399). Based on Shimpson’s indeks of soil arthropods in Watusipat forest (0,471) was higher than Wonosadi forest (0,244). Air and soil temperature, air and soil humidity and light intensity in Wonosadi were lower than Watusipat forest, but the soil pH were the same. Wonosadi forest’s canopy was tighter and closer, and it was more diverse in flora than in Watusipat forest. From these result, it can be concluded that Wonosadi and Watusipat forest were different in density and diversity of the soil arthropods. The differences could be affected by biotic and abiotic factors. The most affected biotic factor is vegetations who give a proper microclimate condition for soil arthropods. Light intensity was the most affected one of the a biotic factor.

Key words : Wonosadi forest, Watusipat forest, density, diversity.