Soil macrofauna diversity and abundance in relation to soil properties: A case study of dryland ecosystems in Rante village, Tana Toraja, Indonesia

Abstract

The Tana Toraja District in South Sulawesi, Indonesia, is distinguished by its varied topography, including valleys and mountains. The dryland soils in this region are predominantly sandy to light loam and are characterized by low organic matter and fertility. Soil macrofauna are integral to enhancing soil physical properties and nutrient cycling, whereas topographic factors such as slope affect their diversity through processes such as erosion, drainage, and soil moisture conditions. This study aimed to examine the abundance and diversity of soil macrofauna in relation to the physical and chemical properties of soil within the dryland agroecosystems of Rante Village, Makale Subdistrict. Eight macrofauna groups were identified, with Formicidae being the dominant group. The diversity index ranged from 0.59 to 1.33, indicating a generally moderate diversity. Soil pH (4.71–6.46) and bulk density (1.05–1.34 g cm−3) varied across sites, while C-organic (0.68–3.18%) was low to high and N-total (0.13–0.32%) was low to moderate. Macrofauna abundance showed strong positive correlations with pH (r = 0.71) and bulk density (r = 0.67), whereas diversity was negatively correlated with C-organic (r = –0.64). However, ANOVA indicated no significant simultaneous effects of soil factors (P-value > 0.05). These findings suggest that soil physicochemical properties contribute to shaping macrofauna abundance in tropical drylands, while diversity patterns are influenced by more complex environmental interactions.