Soil micro arthropods assemblages in selected plantation in The Nilgiris, Tamilnadu, India

Abstract

India is one of the twelve mega biodiversity in the world and the Western Ghats in Southern India are considered to be one of the 18 hotspots of biodiversity in the world. The natural areas of Nilgiris has been Shrunk by exotic tree plantation like Eucalyptus and Wattle. Recent researches have sought that more litter mass provides food and habitat for soil micro-arthropods. The period of the study was from March to August 2014. During litter decomposition nutrients like N, P and K release into the soil. But invasive species like Eucalyptus and Wattles of the area have given negative effects to the soil nutrients. So the environmental term illustrates the variation in soil fertility and decreases NPK. The comparative diversity of micro-arthropods in natural, Wattle and Eucalyptus plantations was studied in Nilgiris. Moreover, Eucalyptus and Wattle plantations decreased the availability of ground water consequently affecting the soil fertility. Hence the present study suggests minimizing the growth of Wattle and Eucalyptus plantations in the natural areas which may help to maintain the fertility of the soil.