Investigation of Frequency and Biodiversity of Soil Macrofauna under Two Different Plant Coverages (case study: Choqasabz Forest Park, Ilam Province)

In this study, the abundance and biodiversity of the soil macrofauna under two different plants coverages (Rosaceae shrubs and conifers) were investigated using pitfall trap in Choqasabz Forest Park (Ilam province).This research was carried out from April to September 2015 with two treatments (different plants coverages) and five replications. Every 20 days, trapped specimens were collected in pitfall traps and then counted and identified. During this study, a total of 4,613 specimens were collected belonging to eight orders and 13 families of insects, and a single family of spiders. Results showed that the families Formicidae and Carabidae and orders Collembola and Diptera were the most abundant arthropods in pitfall trapps. Between Rosaceae and conifer plants, there was a significant difference in the number of insects belongs to Collembola (t(138)=2.97, P=0.004), Carabidae (t(138)=2.93, P=0.004), and Noctuidae (t(138)=2.91, P=0.004), while there was not a significant difference in the number of arthropods belongs to Formicidae (t (138)=0.83, P=0.406), Chrysopidae (t (138)=0.103, P=0.918), Diptera (t (138)=1.15, P=0.253), Orthoptera (t (138)=1.543, P=0.125), Heteroptera (t (138)=1.11, P=0.267), insect larva (t (138)=0.816, P=0.416) and spiders (t (138)=0.420, P=0.675). The most number of Collebmbola individuals were collected only in spring months and after that their density reduced considerably. Collembola and Noctuidae had significantly more density under Rosaceae than conifers while Carabidae had more densities under conifers. Arthropods have a valueble role in soil fertilization, nutrient cycling, plant production, decomposing matters in nature and regulation of other animal population. The results of this study could be useful in conservation and sustainable management of biodiversity in Choqasabz Forest Park.