Relationship between Soil Macro fauna Biodiversity and Trees and Shrubs in Riparian Forest of Maroon River in Khuzestan Province

Soil macrofauna biodiversity has an important role in ecosystem services. In order to find how soil macrofauna biodiversity is related to trees and shrubs in riparian forest of Maroon River in Khuzestan province، soil macrofauna were collected using hand-sorting procedure from 0-10 and 10-25 cm soil depths in 50 cm × 50 cm plots، 50 meters from each other on transects 100 meters apart and perpendicular to the river. Totally، 175 sampling plots were taken. In each plot، quantitative characteristics of trees and shrubs were measured. Soil macrofauna abundance and biomass were highest at 0-10 cm soil depth. Macrofauna biodiversity had a stronger correlation with Tamarisk properties than Euphrates poplar. In contrast، macrofauna biodiversity was not different under Tamarisk and Euphrates poplar. But earthworm was higher under Euphrates poplar cover. The most important parameter of soil macrofauna biodiversity in this area was crown cover. Therefore we could state that regardless of tree species، crown cover of these forests should be conserved because it maintains soil macrofauna biodiversity.