Abstract

SOCARRAS¹, Ana A  and  ROBAINA², N. Characterization of the edaphic mesofauna under different land uses on Ferralitic Red soil of Mayabeque and Artemisa. Pastos y Forrajes [online]. 2011, vol.34, n.2, pp. 185-197. ISSN 0864-0394.

The study was conducted during October, 2009, in 11 sites of two provinces of the country (Mayabeque and Artemisa), in order to characterize the edaphic mesofauna in different land uses: regenerated forests, pasturelands, sugarcane and crops on Ferralitic Red soil. Three soil samples were taken in each replication of land use, at only one depth level (0-10 cm), following a completely randomized sampling design. For their extraction, Berlese-Tullgren funnels were used, with a light and heat source, for seven days. The highest density values (ind.m-2) for the mesofauna and detritivorous groups were recorded in the forest, followed by varied crops, pastureland and sugarcane. The oribatides/astigmates balance was higher than one in the forest and the pastureland, which indicated soil stability and fertility; while in varied crops the balance was very close to one and it revealed the need of a management change in the agricultural exploitation. In the use sugarcane this ratio was lower than one, which showed disturbance and unbalance of the edaphic environment produced by agricultural practices.

Keywords : Indicator organisms; land use.

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