diversity of soil biota near nelijärve team butterfly
TRANSCRIPT
Diversity of soil biota near Nelijärve
Team Butterfly
IntroductionTeam Butterfly
Supervisor – Piret Vacht
Our task was to investigate different soils, their properties and biota.
Study sites
Study sites
Study site 1 is in a coniferous forest.
Study sites
Site 2 is next to a parking lot. Also, the grass was mowed.
Study sites
Site 3 is in a broadleaf forest.
Study methods
We observed soil horizonts and determined habitat horizons,
measured soil pH from distilled water solution and determined soil texture and colour,
classified the size and abundance of roots in the horizons,
observed earthworms and microarthropods,
calculated soil moisture.
Goals of the study
To investigate diversity of soil biota.
To find out where are the best soils for soil biota near Nelijärve.
To learn collecting soil data.
To have fun.
Study sites soil data
Site number Site 1 Site 2 Site 3
Visible horizons O E C O A C O A B C
Habitat horizons O (E sometimes) O A O A B
Soil color Grayish brown, light brown, red- brown
Dark brown Brownish black
Soil texture sand sand Loamy sand
Soil moisture 48,7% 15,3% 10,7%
Study sites biota
Site 1 Site 2 Site 3
Number of earthworms (per 0,25 m2)
9 3 7
Earthworm biomass (g)
0,52306 g 0,144 g 2,73258 g
Microarthropods Mites: Moss-mites (oribatida), Spiders,
Mites: Predatory (Mesostigmata), Beetles
Other animals Snails, ants Ants Ants
Roots size classification
medium Very fine fine
Roots abundance classification
few Very few common
pHH2O data
Site 1 Site 2 Site 3
pHH2O5,5 6,25 5,5
According to The United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service classification of soil pH ranges, site 1 and site 3 soil pH classifies as moderate acid soil. Site 2 pH classifies as neutral.
Conclusions
Soils near Nelijärve has a great diversity of biota.
The best soils for soil biota is site 3 – broadleaf forest .
Thank you for listening!