'n Faunistiese studie van die Acari in 'n Savanna-biotoop

Abstract

This study is an attempt to determine the seasonal fluctuations of the Acari and the influence of rainfall (mm), soil-water contents (%), organic matter (%) and soil temperatures (0 c) have on these fluctuations. A brief description of the National Savanna ecosystem project, of which this study forms a part, and its aim is given. Methods of soil sampling, extraction of soil organisms, determination of the soil-water content (%), soil temperatures ( c), organic matter (%) and biomass (mg), are given. The physico-chemical properties and types of soil are given, as well as the dominant plant species and fluctuations in the climatological factors are described. The first six months of the study year, from October 1974 to March 1975, or phase I, was mainly given to determining the fauna present in the Nylsvley-soil. A hectare in the study area, was isolated for this purpose.