JOURNAL OF NANJING FORESTRY UNIVERSITY ›› 2025, Vol. 49 ›› Issue (2): 91-98.doi: 10.12302/j.issn.1000-2006.202307026

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Variations of surface soil macrofauna in different aged Metasequoia glyptostroboides plantations

CAO Lili1(), RUAN Honghua1,*(), LI Yuanyuan2, NI Juanping1, WANG Guobing1, CAO Guohua3, SHEN Caiqin3, XU Yaming3   

  1. 1. Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Ecology and Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
    2. School of Food Science, Nanjing Xiaozhuang University, Nanjing 211171, China
    3. Dongtai State Forest Farm of Jiangsu Province, Yancheng 224243, China
  • Received:2023-07-20 Accepted:2024-07-30 Online:2025-03-30 Published:2025-03-28
  • Contact: RUAN Honghua E-mail:caolllychee@163.com;hhruan@njfu.edu.cn

Abstract:

【Objective】Soil faunas are crucial components of forest ecosystem. This study investigated the distribution characteristics and seasonal variation of soil macrofauna in Metasequoia glyptostroboides plantations of different ages. We analyzed differences in the community structure, seasonal dynamics, and influencing mechanisms of surface soil macrofauna, providing a theoretical basis for future studies on soil fauna community structure in these plantations.【Method】We assessed soil macrofauna community dynamics across nine M. glyptostroboides plantations (seven, 11, 16, 21, 26, 31, 36, 41, and 46 years old) using a randomized block design with four replicate plots per age group, located in a coastal area of northern Jiangsu Province, China. Collections were made in summer (August) and autumn (October) using pitfall traps, and samples were sorted and identified under a stereomicroscope in the laboratory. Additionally, soil samples from the 0-15 cm layer were collected for physicochemical analysis.【Result】We collected a total of 14 289 surface soil macrofauna individuals from 16 orders and 23 families. The dominant groups were Armadillidae and Oniscidae. Significant differences were observed in the dominant and common groups of soil macrofauna among plantations of different ages. The 11-year-old plantation had the highest number of soil macrofauna, while the 36-year-old plantation had the lowest. In terms of seasonal variation, the total number of surface soil macrofauna was higher in August than in November, whereas species richness was greater in November than in August.【Conclusion】The study highlights that both stand development and seasonal variation significantly influence the community structure of surface soil macrofauna in M. glyptostroboides plantations. As the forest matures, the total number, species diversity and diversity index of surface soil macrofauna increase, reaching a high level in middle-aged forests.

Key words: surface soil macrofauna, biodiversity, community structure, stand development, seasonal variation

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