ESTUDIO DE LA MACROFAUNA EDAFICA EN UN SISTEMA MULTIASOCIADO GRAMINEA-LEGUMINOSA POSTERIORMENTE A UN INCENDIO

Abstract

A study was carried out in a multiassociated grass-legume system with high density of Leucaena leucocephala, affected by a fire, with the objective of determining the taxonomic composition of the macrofauna and its dynamics. The samplings were performed in four moments after the fire (1, 4, 7 and 10 months) and according to the TSBF methodology, 18 samples were taken at random in all the affected area. The vertical distribution was analyzed in four strata: litter layer, 0-10 cm, 10-20 cm and 20-30 cm. The macrofauna was sensibly affected, because the lower amount of organisms was found a month after the fire and increased as the serious effect on the edaphoclimatic conditions diminished. According to the vertical distribution, in the first months the organisms showed preference for the deepest strata, and in all samplings earthworms were observed to take a dominant position in comparison to the total fauna. The serious effect caused by the fire was lessened by the previous prevalent conditions, which by making possible plant stability and diversity led to a fast recovery
of the edaphic macrofauna.