Community Structure of Litter Dwelling MacroFauna Across Age-Stratified Rubber Plantations

Abstract

Forests serve as natural habitats for litter macrofauna, playing a crucial role in sustaining their survival. However, widespread forest conversion into plantations has become increasingly common, while information regarding litter macrofauna  and their ecological roles particularly in Indonesia remains limited. This study explores the community structure of litter macrofauna in rubber plantations of varying ages (11 and 23 years) to assess how plantation age influences their ecological roles in Indonesia. The research was conducted in two rubber plantations, selected using a stratified sampling method based on tree age. Litter samples were gathered through the litterbag method, and the fauna were extracted using the Berlese-Tullgren funnel technique. Data analysis focused on measuring density, diversity index (H'), evenness index, and dominance index. A total of 18 species of litter macrofauna were identified, with 16 species present in the 11-year-old plantation and 9 species in the 23-year-old plantation. The younger plantation exhibited a greater density of fauna (4.02 individuals per litterbag) compared to the older plantation (2.29 individuals per litterbag). However, the diversity index was lower in the younger plantation (H' = 1.52), while the dominance index was higher (D = 0.45), in contrast to the older plantation (H' = 1.79, D = 0.18). These findings suggest that plantation age has a significant impact on the structure of litter macrofauna communities. While younger plantations support a higher density of fauna, they also demonstrate lower species diversity due to increased dominance, indicating a lack of ecological balance. This research underscores the importance of accounting for plantation age in the management of agroecosystems. It is recommended that older rubber plantations, such as those that are 23 years old, be considered for replanting to improve ecosystem function and restore faunal diversity, thereby promoting long-term productivity.