Soil macrofauna community structure along a gradient of land use intensification in the humid forest zone of southern Cameroon.
2004
The impact of land use systems on soil macrofauna community structures is described as well as their relationships with the vegetation and soil parameters in the humid forest zone of southernCameroon. 36 Earthworm species were found. A completely different earthworm assemblage was found at high LUI while low and medium LUI blocks had species in common in the various functional groups. Earthworm surface casting decreased when fallow plots were converted to cultivated fields. This reduction depended on the type of fallow. 223 Termite species were recorded.There was no significant effect of LUI but in contrast, a strong effect of LUS on termite species richness and abundance. 80 Ant species were found. LUI and LUS had striking effects on ant communities with highest richness in the low LUI block. Ant species assemblages were location specific.Soil macrofaunal species richness was more responsive to soil and vegetation parameters than macrofaunal abundances.The knowledge gathered on the present state of earthworm, termite and ant communities and the effects of land use change on these macrofauna in southernCameroonconstitutes the baseline information necessary for the design and /or implementation of measures of conservation in which farmers should play a pivotal role.
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