Soil Macro Fauna Variation in Margalla Hill, National Park, Pakistan
ABSTRACT
The Margalla Hill National Park has a specific geographic location and specific set of biotic and a biotic factor, hence is expected to have a specific combination of soil biota. No comprehensive study is available on thetotal soil macro fauna diversity of the MHNP. The present study aims at knowing the soil macro fauna diversity of the areas under MNHP. A total of 60 sampling site were established at different altitudes and under different habitat conditions. The soil Macro fauna of Margalla Hill National Park (MHNP) consists of 120 species, belonging to four phyla, eight classes and twenty orders.
The maximum number of the species is present at an altitude of 500-700m (82 species), followed by 700-900m (33 species), 1100-1300m (21 species) and 900-1100m (18 species).
The temperature was a significant effect on the invertebrate distribution and density, which are basically ectoderms. The majority of the species in the present study are restricted to one of the pH only, which is one of the facts that soil pH has an important role in the composition of soil fauna. The soil organisms believed to play central role in the decomposition of organic matter and hence increasing organic matter may need a macro fauna diversity to ensure the smooth decomposition. Soil moisture has both positive and negative effects. The increase in moisture may cause respiratory problems, which are not adapted to aquatic conditions.
Study Area of the Soil Macro Fauna
|