Effects of controlled fire on the abundance and diversity of arthropods at Obanla natural forest and teak plantation, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of controlled fire on the abundance and diversity of arthropods. The controlled fire used was  categorized into; Free range burning, Slash and burn, and Teak litter burning. The Free range burning, and Slash and burn were carried out at the Natural forest while the Teak litter burning in the Tectonia grandis (Teak) Plantation. Land areas of 100 m × 100 m were marked out in all the study area (Free range and Slash area of natural forest and Teak plantation). Soil samples were obtained prior to burning, immediately after burning progressively once per month for a period of four months after the burning were carried out. It was observed that Arthropod abundance of the soil was suppressed after burning in the study area. The result for soil mesofauna abundance shows that there was no significant (p≥0.05) difference between the burning treatments; while the collection period was significantly higher (p≤0.05) before burning and significantly (p≤0.05) lower immediately after burning. Arthropod diversity began to significantly (p≤0.05) increase from three months after burning with migration of new arthropod species into the burnt area. Total recovery of soil mesofauna was not attained during the period of this research.

Key words: Arthropod, controlled fire, slash and burn, soil, recovery.