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!