An Ecological Study of Temperatures in a Welsh Moorland Soil, 1962-63

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Abstract
A study of temperatures in the top 3 cm of the soil of Pteridium moorland in South Wales is described. Temperatures were continuously recorded by thermistors and were integrated by the silver voltameter technique to give weekly means. Annual mean temperature was 9.3[degree] C. Temperature inversions within the 3 cm profile were noted in Feb. and Sept. The annual mean temperatures of the soil sufrace were higher than that of deeper layers, or of the air. Recording sites only 6 m apart showed differences in annual mean temperature of up to 1.7[degree] C, due to variation in vegetational cover. During the cold winter of 1962-63 the soil was frozen for 6 weeks, despite snow cover. Changes in the populations of some soil arthropods are briefly discussed; these appear to have suffered few adverse effects, and Onychiurus procampatus (Collembola) continued to breed and grow in this period.

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