PARENT SESSION
Poster Session #37: Invertebrate Ecology.
Thursday, August 9, 2001. Presentation from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM. Exhibition Hall
71
Effects of organic matter removal, compaction, and competition control on collembola populations in a pine plantation.
Eaton, Robert1, 1
ABSTRACT- Collembola can be some of the most numerous arthropods in the forest floor and play a role in decomposition and nutrient cycling. Litter samples were collected from the Croatan Long Term Soil Productivity (LTSP) site to determine if organic matter removal, compaction, and competition control affected collembola populations. Three litter samples per treatment plot were taken each month for one year using a 200 cm2 frame. Depth and temperature of litter were recorded and litter volume estimated. Fauna were extracted using modified Tulgren funnels over a 10 day period and stored in 85% methyl alcohol for counting. Nutrient analysis was performed on the litter samples and population counts correlated to nutrient levels. Analysis of twelve months of data from one compaction level indicated there were competition control and organic matter removal treatment effects on collembolan population levels.
KEY WORDS: collembola, population dynamics, forest soil environment