EFFECTS OF SHEEP TREADING ON PLANT COVERING AND SOIL ORIBATIDA (ACARI) IN A WOODED HAY MEADOW IN SOGN (NORWAY)

Abstract

Effects of sheep treading on plant covering and soil oribatid mites in a traditionally maintained wooded hay meadow in Sogn (Norway) were investigated. Samples were taken under the elm trees in 2 zones, situated 1m from the elm trunks, heavily treaded by sheep, and 5m from these trunks. The sheep treading decreased the plant covering, especially mosses, and the density of Oribatida, but increased the participation of their juvenile stages. The Oribatida occupied mainly the upper soil layer and the density distinctly decreased with the soil depth, but the sheep treading appeased the differences of density of mites in soil layers, comparing to the zone situated 5m from the elm trunks.

Keywords

• traditional farming
• wooded hay meadow
• elm trees
• oribatida
• juvenile stages