Edaphic mesofauna in different land uses in the Red Plain of Mayabeque and Artemisa, Cuba

Abstract

The conservation status of soils with different uses was characterized using the taxonomic and trophic
composition of the edaphic mesofauna. The research was conducted during the rainy season of 2009 in 11 sites
selected under four general classes of land use (GCLU): regenerated forests, pasturelands, sugarcane plantations
and varied crops (mainly potatoes). Three soil samples were taken in each land use replication, at only one
depth level (0-10 cm), following a stratified completely randomized sampling design. For the extraction BerleseTullgren funnels were used, with a source of light and heat, during seven days. The highest values of taxonomic
composition of these soil microarthropods were found in the forests, with 16 families, followed by pasturelands
with nine families, varied crops and sugarcane plantations with six families each. On the other hand, the largest
representation of detritivorous groups appeared in the forest with four orders, 15 families and 151 individuals,
followed by varied crops with two orders, five families and 62 individuals, and pasturelands with two orders,
eight families and 37 individuals; while in sugarcane plantations fungivores were the best represented by an
order and 22 individuals. The taxonomic and trophic composition of the groups that integrate the edaphic
mesofauna indicated the soil degradation status in the order sugarcane plantation-varied crops, followed by
pastureland and, finally, forest.