Leaf litter arthropod composition between forest edge and interior in Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve

Yusri, Siti Nurakidah (2024) Leaf litter arthropod composition between forest edge and interior in Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve. [Project Paper] (Submitted)

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Abstract

In terrestrial ecosystems, insects play crucial roles, especially as soil fauna, contributing to processes like decomposition, mineral transport, predation, and root ingestion. The distribution of tree leaf litter in different habitats, influenced by factors like humidity, vegetation type, and litter depth, affects insect communities. Edge habitats, with increased light and nutrients, may alter the development of herbivorous insects. Forest fragmentation, including microclimatic changes, is believed to contribute to the decline of leaf litter insect species. This study aim is to assess the composition of leaf litter arthropod in the Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve, focusing on habitat characteristics in both the forest edge and interior. The specific objectives include comparing diversity and abundance of leaf litter arthropod between these two zones and exploring the relationship between leaf litter arthropod diversity/abundance and measured habitat characteristics. The study was conducted at Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve (AHFR), representing both forest interior (3° 0.10395’N, 101°0.644106’N) and forest edge (3° 0.34270’N, 101° 0.643913’E). A total of 30 sampling points were established, with 15 sampling set at each study areas. Systematic sampling with random start points (Morrison et al., 2007) was used as the sampling design with 50 meters distance and 10 meters radius for each sampling points. Welch Two Sampe t-test results showed significantly higher leaf litter arthropod abundance and richness for forest interior compared to forest edge.

Item Type:	Project Paper
Faculty:	Fakulti Perhutanan dan Alam Sekitar
Depositing User:	Ms. ROHANA ALIAS
Date Deposited:	13 May 2024 01:05
Last Modified:	01 Aug 2024 08:24
URI:	http://psaspb.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/1757

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