Characteristics of Soil Macrofauna and Its Coupling Relationship with Environmental Factors in the Loess Area of Northern Shaanxi

Abstract

Even with the in-depth implementation of forestry ecological projects, such as restoring farmland to forest (grass) in the loess area of northern Shaanxi, the characteristics of soil macrofauna communities and their coupling relationship with environmental factors after vegetation restoration in the study area are yet obscure. However, the soil macrofauna community characteristics are of great significance for evaluating the effectiveness of vegetation restoration in the study area. Therefore, the study aims to reveal the characteristics of the soil macrofauna community and their coupling relationships with the environment in the loess area of northern Shaanxi. In this study, all organisms of the five typical vegetation types in the study area were collected by manual sorting (Armeniaca sibirica and Populus simonii mixed forest (M), Robinia pseudoacacia (P), Populus simonii (S), Populus hopeiensis (H) and Hippophae rhamnoides (R)), and the adjacent abandoned grassland (G) was used as a control group. The group number and the individual number of soil macrofauna of different vegetation types in the study area and their coupling relationships with environmental factors are studied, and the following conclusions were drawn. (1) The study shows that there are certain differences in the environmental factors of different vegetation types in the study area, which include the significant differences in the alkaline nitrogen content of various vegetation types (p < 0.05). (2) The effects of different vegetation on soil macrofauna community were different. There were no significant differences in the soil macrofauna community structure between Armeniaca sibirica and Populus simonii mixed forest, Robinia pseudoacacia, Populus simonii and Populus hopeiensis, but there was a large difference from that of the abandoned grasslands. The community density of soil macrofauna in Armeniaca sibirica and Populus simonii mixed forest and Populus simonii were significantly higher than that in the abandoned grassland (p < 0.05), but the other indexes showed no significant differences. The Shannon–Wiener index of Robinia pseudoacacia and Populus hopeiensis were much lower than that of the abandoned grassland (p < 0.05). (3) The diversity of soil macrofauna communities was mainly affected by pH, alkaline nitrogen, potassium available, vegetation coverage and litter production. (4) Different groups of soil macrofauna were closely related and reacted differently to environmental factors, and vegetation coverage, litter production and alkaline nitrogen content were the key factors affecting the composition of soil macrofauna communities.

Comparison of Correlations between Soil Physicochemical Properties and Diversity-Density of Soil Macrofauna in Juniper and Amygdalus Stands During the Growing and Resting Season (Case Study: Geno Protected Area, Hormozgan Province, Iran)

“…This finding is consistent with the results of Laossi et al [20]. Since there is a significant positive correlation between physicochemical properties and diversity and density of soil macrofauna, it can be argued that both amygdalus and Juniper stands have provided suitable conditions for soil macrofauna [33]. Therefore, Amygdalus and Juniper species can be recognized as one of the most suitable species for afforestation and development of forest lands and providing the ground for enhancement of soil's physical and chemical properties [34].…”

Native forest conversion alters soil macroinvertebrate diversity and soil quality in tropical mountain landscapes of northern Ecuador

“…Therefore, after their establishment, vegetation cover and the associated litter production do not substantially change in planted forests, a condition that is shared with native forests. Studies have shown that vegetation cover and litter production are the main factors that control the composition and distribution of soil fauna (Guangbin and Xiaodong, 2007;Zhou et al, 2022). In forested soils, these factors may have provided habitats to evade natural enemies and more resources to thrive (Shrewsbury and Raupp, 2006;Guangbin and Xiaodong, 2007).…”

Site Quality for Araucaria angustifolia Plantations with Subtropical Cambisol Is Driven by Soil Organism Assemblage and the Litter and Soil Compartments

“…However, average and high site quality stands have promoted a wide range of soil biota groups through their litter and soil compartment characteristics [6]. The groups of Arachnids (Acaridae, Araneidae, and Filistatidae-classified as predators), Insects (Formicidae, Isotermidae, Carabidae, Scarabaeidae, Staphylindae, and Mantidae, which are classified as ecosystem engineers, microregulators, litter transformers, and predators), and Myriapods (Scutigeridae-predators and Julidae-litter transformers) were the most affected by reducing the site quality [46]. These changes in the soil biota community structure promoted negative chances for the soil ecosystem [47].…”