1. DIVERSITY AND ECOLOGY OF MACROFAUNA IN LAND USE MOSAICS EMBU
AND TAITA DISTRICTS, KENYA
Musombi, B.K1, Ayuke, F.O. 2 , Karanja, N.K2 , Nyamasyo, G.H.N2 Muya, E.M3 , Mungatu, J4
1 Department of Zoology, Invertebrate section, National Museums of Kenya, P.O Box 40658-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
2 University of Nairobi, P.O Box 30197-00200, Nairobi, Kenya
3 Kenya Agricultural Research Institute-NARL, (KARI), P.O. Box 14733-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
4 Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology
D t t f M th ti d St ti ti J K tt U i it f A i lt dT h l
SUMMARY
The study aimed at evaluation the effect of land use on the diversity of macrofauna in Embu and Taita benchmark sites. The study
demonstrated that quantitative changes in diversity and density of soil fauna communities occur when various land use mosaics are subjected
to different management and varying levels of intensification. These may be associated with management practices. Significant correlation
between some soil macrofauna groups with selected soil chemical properties showed that, soil chemical characteristics play a role in
influencing density, distribution and structure of macrofauna communities.
SOME MACROFAUNA RESULTS
INTRODUCTION •Generally macrofauna density was higher in the arable systems
Soil macrofauna are soil organisms
larger than 2mm in diameter and than in the forests, although the differences were not always
include :Earthworms, Termites, significant.
Ants, beetles among other key soil •Forests harbored higher Chilopoda and Isopoda density than the
organisms. They influence,
decomposition, bi d
d iti biodegradation of
d ti f agro ecosystems.
organic residues, organic matter • Low diversity and density of macrofauna were recorded in
dynamics, humification, nutrient coffee, tea and mixed agricultural systems.
release, Improve soil: physical
parameters e.g. structure bulk •There was a significant correlations between some soil fauna
density, Porosity, water percolation Earthworm groups to soil chemical properties e.g. Isopoda and Chilopoda
and retention were positively correlated with acidity and soil carbon (Fig 1A
& B)
OBJECTIVE •Comparatively, Embu was less diverse on macro fauna
-To understand the i
d d h impact of land-
fl d compared to Taita with thirty four and seventy seven
d T i i h hi f d
use on dynamics of soil macrofauna genera/species respectively.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
- At each sampling point a monolith of
dimensions 0.25m x 0.25m and 0.3m
deep is isolated, a transect and baited
pit fall were also used (Fig 1). Termites
Recovered earthworms were relaxed,
killed and fixed in 4% formalin before
preservation.
-All other Macrofauna are placed in 70%
alcohol for later processing and
identification.
Pitfall trap 20m
Fig 1. Correlation between soil characteristics and Chilopoda
2m
CONCLUSION
20 by 2 mTransect for quadrat and form sam
alin pling
8m
1m2Quadrat
Quantitative changes in diversity and density of soil fauna occur
when land use systems are subjected to varying levels of
intensification . These are associated with management
Monolith 0.25 x 0.25 x 0.3mMonolith practices such as change of habitats, modification of soil
microclimate, addition of soil amendments use of
agrochemicals, removal of substrate , low diversity and
Ants availability of food sources. This indicates the potential of
Fig 1. Sampling plan for macrofauna using these fauna groups as bio-indicators of soil productivity
bio-
Acknowledgments
•Conservation and Sustainable Management of Belowground Biodiversity (CSM-BGBD) Project