Diversity of soil algae in undisturbed and disturbed forests at Ton Ngachang Wildlife Sanctuary and reserved forests

Abstract

Species diversity of soil algae and environmental relationship were studied from undisturbed and disturbed forests at Ton Ngachang Wildlife Sanctuary and nearby reserved forests. Soil samples were collected in both dry and rainy seasons, in May and October 1999 respectively. Soil algal density was estimated by the dilution-culture method, using NSIII medium. The cultures were incubated at 25ºC and room temperature. Twenty-two genera of soil algae in Cyanophyta, Chlorophyta and Bacillariophyta divisions were identified: 17 genera from undisturbed forests, 16 genera from disturbed forests and 17 genera from reserved forests. Cyanophyta showed live highest. Comparison of soil algae from 3 sites and 2 seasons were analyzed using multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). The results indicated no significant difference between sites and seasons. A detrend correspondence analysis (DCA) ordination of sites and seasons revealed no distinct cluster. Environmental variables were related to the species composition of soil algae by mean of canonical correspondence analysis (CCA). The significant factors that showed a relationship with the soil algae were pH, organic matter, available P, total N, exchangeable K, Ca and Mg, moisture content, light intensity and soil temperature. However, percent variance explained by CCA ordination was very low.

Keywords

• soil algae
• diversity
• Ton Ngachang Wildlife Sanctuary