Short-Term Influence of Clear-Cutting on Abundance of Soil-Microfauna (Nematoda, Rotatoria and Tardigrada) in a Swedish Pine Forest Soil

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Abstract
The influence of clear-cutting on abundance of nematodes, rotifers and tardigrades in a pine forest soil was investigated. An increase in abundance of nematodes during the 2nd year after the cutting coincided with the increased abundances of micro-organisms. A subsequent decrease in nematode and bacterial abundance occurred simultaneously with a pronounced increase in amount of inorganic N. Cutting wastes had a most pronounced influence on abundance of animals. At the peak difference 360% more nematodes were found in plots with slash than in the control forest; the increase in plots without slash was at the highest .apprx. 195%. During the 3rd year after the cutting, plots without cutting wastes contained .apprx. 54% fewer nematodes than the control forest; in plots with cutting wastes the decrease was less pronounced. Among factors which might influence animal abundance, the microbial productivity and the moisture contents are considered to be the most important.