HAYATI Journal of Biosciences
Vol. 13 No. 3 (2006): September 2006

Feeding Rate of Soil Animals in Different Ecosystems in Pati, Indonesia

RAHAYU WIDYASTUTI (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
02 Dec 2009

Abstract

The feeding activity of soil animals was measured by using bait lamina test in three main ecosystems, i.e. the teak forest, home garden and rainfed paddy field. Two additional ecosystems in rainfed paddy field, i.e. the old (permanently established bund around paddy fields) and new bunds were examined as well. Three blocks of bait-lamina sticks (each block consisting of 16 individual sticks) were exposed at each location. The bait lamina were retrieved from the soil after two days and visually assessed. Each hole is designated as “fed” (perforated) or “non-fed” hole. The feeding rate is measured as the absolute number of “fed” holes. Soil animals in the old bunds showed the highest feeding activity (55.20%), followed by home garden (39.10%), rainfed paddy field (16.50%), teak forest (15.60%), and new bund (7.80%). The frequency of animals attack to the bait strips also indicated the similar pattern as their feeding activity, i.e. high in the old bunds (0.90), followed by home garden (0.70), teak forest (0.40), new bunds (0.40) and rainfed paddy field (0.30), respectively. Key words: soil animals, feeding activity, bait-lamina test

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Journal Info

Abbrev

hayati

Publisher

Subject

Agriculture, Biological Sciences & Forestry Earth & Planetary Sciences

Description

HAYATI Journal of Biosciences (HAYATI J Biosci) publishes articles and short communication in tropical bioscience fields such as development, biotechnology, biodiversity and environmental issues. HAYATI J Biosci covers wide range of all life forms topics including virus, microbes, fungi, plants, ...