Influence of different cropping systems on the density of terrestrial invertebrates in varzea soils of central Amazonia

Abstract

Examined monocultures of cocoa Theobroma cacao and quiabo Hibiscus esculentus, mixed cultures of Mangifera indica, Eugenia malaccencis, Euterpe oleracea, rubber Hevea brasiliensis and banana Musa sapientum; a pasture; and forest as control area. Results indicated a dominance by Acari in the five habitats, with a greater percentage in the H. esculentus monoculture (86.52%) and in pasture (80.50%). Collembola is the second group, with an expressive density in forest (27.52%). Presence of Diplopoda and Isopoda in T. cacao and H. esculentus (1.46% and 0.64%, respectively) is particularly important due to their role as primary decomposers in forest habitats. -from English summary