B.C. Ministry of Forests Forest Science Program
				Abstract for LTSPS Research Note 05

		Soil Fauna in the Sub-Boreal Spruce (SBS) Installations of the Long-Term Soil Productivity (LTSP) Study of Central British Columbia: One-Year Results for Soil Mesofauna and Macrofauna
		Author: Jeff Battigelli and Shannon Berch
		Branch: Research
		Subject:  Soil Conservation
		Series:  LTSPS Research Note
		Other details:  Published by Prince George, Prince Rupert and Cariboo Forest Regions - March 2002.

Abstract

In 1990, the BC Ministry of Forests established the Long-Term Soil Productivity (LTSP) study in conjunction with a similar research program in the United States to determine the effects of three levels of organic matter removal and soil compaction on soil productivity over a full rotation period. We studied the soil fauna communities on the Sub-Boreal Spruce installations of the LTSP in central British Columbia. In the first year after treatment application, we found that the reduction in density of soil fauna increased with severity of the disturbance such that combined heavy compaction and extensive removal of organic matter resulted in the lowest density of soil fauna. From this it is clear that any measures taken to minimize soil compaction and loss or displacement of organic matter, particularly the forest floor, will help mitigate the short-term effects of disturbance on the soil fauna community.

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Updated September 2002

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