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VOL. 11, ISSUE 3 (2026)
Ecology of soil macrofauna on palm oil (Elaeis Guineensis Jacq.) and cocoa (Theobroma Cacao L.) plantations in Serbajadi District, Serdang Bedagai Regency
Authors
Agnes Monika Simamora, Binari Manurung
Abstract
Changes in land use and
plantation management systems, such
as oil palm monoculture and cocoa agroforestry, can
affect soil macrofauna communities, which serve as bioindicators of soil
quality. This study aimed to analyze the types, richness, diversity, dominance,
and evenness of soil macrofauna communities, as well as differences between
them, in oil palm and cocoa plantations in Serbajadi District, Serdang Bedagai
Regency. This quantitative descriptive study was conducted from March to April
2026. Soil macrofauna samples were collected using the pitfall trap method at
five points in the oil palm plantation and five points in the cocoa plantation.
Sample identification was performed at the Biology Laboratory of Medan State
University. Data were analyzed using the Margalef index for richness,
Shannon-Wiener index for diversity, Simpson index for dominance, and Evenness
index; a t-test was used to compare diversity and richness between the two
plantations. Soil physicochemical factors (temperature, pH, and moisture
content) were also measured. Nine types of soil macrofauna were found in the
oil palm plantation, and eight types were found in the cocoa plantation. The
total number of individuals was higher in the oil palm plantation (413) than in
the cocoa plantation (235). Both plantation areas exhibited low richness and
dominance, moderate diversity, and high evenness. The t-test revealed a
significant difference between the soil macrofauna communities in the oil palm
and cocoa plantations (calculated t-value 5.00 > t-table 2.58). Soil
physicochemical conditions remained conducive to soil macrofauna life in both
plantations.
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Pages:221-227
How to cite this article:
Agnes Monika Simamora, Binari Manurung "Ecology of soil macrofauna on palm oil (<i>Elaeis Guineensis</i> <i>Jacq.</i>) and cocoa (<i>Theobroma Cacao L.)</i> plantations in Serbajadi District, Serdang Bedagai Regency". International Journal of Entomology Research, Vol 11, Issue 3, 2026, Pages 221-227
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