EDAPHIC MACROFAUNA IN DIFFERENT PLANT COVERS

The edaphic macrofauna plays important role in the cycling of nutrients and improves the chemical and physical properties of soil. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the biodiversity of edaphic macrofauna in area with of coffee and eucalyptus crops and riparian forest, Campos Gerais - MG. The treatments consisted of edaphic macrofauna samples in different plant covers (coffee, eucalyptus and riparian forest) in winter and summer epochs. In the leaf litter was observed the presence of arachnids, coleopteras and hymenopteras in different areas and epochs. On the soil, all systems of management and epochs, was observed the presence of oligochaetas, being found so prevalent in the riparian forest. The greatest wealth of orders and individuals per square meter were found in summer in riparian forest soil. The best of Shannon index (H') was found in the soil of the forest and in the leaf litter of the coffee crop in winter and summer respectively. The index of Pielou (J') showed the best results in different soil management systems in winter period. In the leaf litter, the Pie lou index showed good performance in different areas and epochs. The riparian forest is the area of highest biodiversity of soil macrofauna.