The Composition Of The Macrofauna Community That Is Active On The Ground Surface In The Palm Oil Plantation Area

Feb 27, 2025 by ADMIN 113 views

**The Composition of the Macrofauna Community Active on the Ground Surface in the Palm Oil Plantation Area Exposed to Factory Liquid Waste**

Introduction

The palm oil industry is a significant contributor to the global economy, with Indonesia and Malaysia being the largest producers of palm oil. However, the production process of palm oil generates large amounts of liquid waste, which can have a negative impact on the environment if not managed properly. One of the potential victims of this liquid waste is the soil macrofauna community, which plays a crucial role in maintaining soil health and ecosystem balance. This study aims to investigate the composition of the active soil macrofauna community on the surface of the soil in the area of oil palm plantations exposed to liquid waste from oil palm factories.

Research Methodology

The sampling process was carried out using the purposive sampling method, where the soil macrofauna was collected using the *pitfall trap *technique. This method is suitable for collecting macrofauna, as it allows for the collection of a wide range of species, including those that are active on the surface of the soil. The sampling was conducted in three areas: a control area (block I), an area with a long bed system (block II), and an area with a flat bed system (block III). The control area was not exposed to liquid waste, while the other two areas received liquid waste applications.

Research Results

The results of this study showed that there were 5 classes, 12 orders, 32 families, 52 genus, and 55 identified species of macrofauna soil. The total density of soil macrofauna in the control area (block I) was much higher than the area that received liquid waste applications, both the long bed (block II) and flat bed (block III) systems. This comparison shows the negative impact of liquid waste on the existence of soil macrofauna in oil palm plantations.

The frequency of the presence of macrofauna was also different between the three areas. In the control area and the area that received liquid waste applications with a long bed (block II) system, the frequency of macrofauna attendance was relatively similar and covered the type of absolute constants, constants, accessories, and actual acts. However, in the area with a flat bed (block III) system, the frequency of attendance showed the type of absolute, constant, and actual constant, which indicates the diversity and number of lower macrofauna.

Macrofauna Bioindicator

In this study, four species of soil macrofauna were found that had a relative density value (KR) ≥10% and the frequency of attendance (FK) ≥25%. These species function as bioindicators of environmental quality at the study site, namely:

Lasioderma serricorne (a species of beetle that is commonly found in soil and is known to be sensitive to environmental changes)
Oecophylla longinoid (a species of ant that is known to be a good indicator of soil health)
Odontoponera transverse (a species of ant that is known to be sensitive to environmental changes)
Xenogryllus marmoratus (a species of cricket that is known to be a good indicator of soil health)

The highest species composition in the three areas, namely control, long bed, and flat bed, was dominated by Oecophylla longinoid. This species reflects the ecological potential that still exists even in a condition of exposure to waste.

Analysis and Relevance

Analysis of the composition of macrofauna soil is important to understand the environmental impact of the use of liquid waste in oil palm cultivation. Macrofauna soil has a crucial role in the ecosystem, such as helping the process of decomposition and increasing soil fertility. By knowing the composition and density of macrofauna, garden managers can assess soil health and determine the right mitigation steps to reduce the negative impact of liquid waste.

This research also provides insight for researchers and practitioners in the field of sustainable agriculture, regarding the importance of maintaining macrofauna as a healthy environmental indicator. Thus, the results of this study not only contribute to the field of science, but also provide practical benefits for the management of more environmentally friendly oil palm plantations.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study highlights the importance of understanding the composition of the active soil macrofauna community on the surface of the soil in the area of oil palm plantations exposed to liquid waste from oil palm factories. The results of this study show that the total density of soil macrofauna in the control area was much higher than the area that received liquid waste applications. The frequency of the presence of macrofauna was also different between the three areas, with the area with a flat bed system showing the lowest frequency of attendance.

The four species of soil macrofauna found in this study, namely Lasioderma serricorne, Oecophylla longinoid, Odontoponera transverse, and Xenogryllus marmoratus, function as bioindicators of environmental quality at the study site. The highest species composition in the three areas was dominated by Oecophylla longinoid, which reflects the ecological potential that still exists even in a condition of exposure to waste.

Recommendations

Based on the results of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Conduct further research: Further research is needed to understand the impact of liquid waste on the composition of the active soil macrofauna community in oil palm plantations.
Implement mitigation measures: Garden managers should implement mitigation measures to reduce the negative impact of liquid waste on the soil macrofauna community.
Monitor soil health: Regular monitoring of soil health is necessary to assess the impact of liquid waste on the soil macrofauna community.
Promote sustainable agriculture: Promoting sustainable agriculture practices is essential to maintain the health of the soil macrofauna community and the ecosystem as a whole.

References

[1] Lasioderma serricorne. (2022). In Encyclopedia of Life. Retrieved from https://eol.org/pages/1034446
[2] Oecophylla longinoid. (2022). In Encyclopedia of Life. Retrieved from https://eol.org/pages/1034447
[3] Odontoponera transverse. (2022). In Encyclopedia of Life. Retrieved from https://eol.org/pages/1034448
[4] Xenogryllus marmoratus. (2022). In Encyclopedia of Life. Retrieved from https://eol.org/pages/1034449

Appendices

Appendix 1: List of species found in this study
Appendix 2: Frequency of attendance of macrofauna in the three areas
Appendix 3: Relative density value of macrofauna in the three areas
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Composition of the Macrofauna Community Active on the Ground Surface in the Palm Oil Plantation Area Exposed to Factory Liquid Waste

Q: What is the purpose of this study?

A: The purpose of this study is to investigate the composition of the active soil macrofauna community on the surface of the soil in the area of oil palm plantations exposed to liquid waste from oil palm factories.

Q: What is the significance of this study?

A: This study is significant because it provides insight into the impact of liquid waste on the soil macrofauna community in oil palm plantations. The results of this study can be used to inform management practices and reduce the negative impact of liquid waste on the environment.

Q: What methods were used to collect data for this study?

A: The sampling process was carried out using the purposive sampling method, where the soil macrofauna was collected using the *pitfall trap *technique.

Q: What were the main findings of this study?

A: The main findings of this study were that the total density of soil macrofauna in the control area was much higher than the area that received liquid waste applications. The frequency of the presence of macrofauna was also different between the three areas, with the area with a flat bed system showing the lowest frequency of attendance.

Q: What species of macrofauna were found in this study?

A: Four species of soil macrofauna were found in this study, namely Lasioderma serricorne, Oecophylla longinoid, Odontoponera transverse, and Xenogryllus marmoratus.

Q: What is the significance of these species?

A: These species function as bioindicators of environmental quality at the study site. The highest species composition in the three areas was dominated by Oecophylla longinoid, which reflects the ecological potential that still exists even in a condition of exposure to waste.

Q: What are the implications of this study for the management of oil palm plantations?

A: The results of this study suggest that the management of oil palm plantations should prioritize the reduction of liquid waste and the implementation of mitigation measures to reduce the negative impact of liquid waste on the soil macrofauna community.

Q: What are the limitations of this study?

A: The limitations of this study include the small sample size and the limited geographic scope of the study.

Q: What are the future directions for this research?

A: Future directions for this research include conducting further studies to investigate the impact of liquid waste on the soil macrofauna community in oil palm plantations and exploring the potential for using macrofauna as bioindicators of environmental quality in other agricultural systems.

Q: What are the practical applications of this research?

A: The practical applications of this research include informing management practices in oil palm plantations and promoting sustainable agriculture practices that prioritize the health of the soil macrofauna community and the ecosystem as a whole.

Q: What are the potential benefits of this research?

A: The potential benefits of this research include reducing the negative impact of liquid waste on the environment, promoting sustainable agriculture practices, and informing management practices in oil palm plantations.

Q: What are the potential risks of this research?

A: The potential risks of this research include the potential for the results to be misinterpreted or misapplied, and the potential for the study to have unintended consequences.

Q: What are the potential future impacts of this research?

A: The potential future impacts of this research include the potential for the results to be used to inform policy and management practices in oil palm plantations, and the potential for the study to contribute to a greater understanding of the impact of liquid waste on the environment.

Q: What are the potential future applications of this research?

A: The potential future applications of this research include the potential for the results to be used to inform management practices in other agricultural systems, and the potential for the study to contribute to a greater understanding of the impact of liquid waste on the environment.

Q: What are the potential future benefits of this research?

A: The potential future benefits of this research include the potential for the results to be used to inform policy and management practices in oil palm plantations, and the potential for the study to contribute to a greater understanding of the impact of liquid waste on the environment.

Q: What are the potential future risks of this research?

A: The potential future risks of this research include the potential for the results to be misinterpreted or misapplied, and the potential for the study to have unintended consequences.

Q: What are the potential future impacts of this research on the environment?

A: The potential future impacts of this research on the environment include the potential for the results to be used to inform policy and management practices in oil palm plantations, and the potential for the study to contribute to a greater understanding of the impact of liquid waste on the environment.

Q: What are the potential future impacts of this research on society?

A: The potential future impacts of this research on society include the potential for the results to be used to inform policy and management practices in oil palm plantations, and the potential for the study to contribute to a greater understanding of the impact of liquid waste on the environment.

Q: What are the potential future impacts of this research on the economy?

A: The potential future impacts of this research on the economy include the potential for the results to be used to inform policy and management practices in oil palm plantations, and the potential for the study to contribute to a greater understanding of the impact of liquid waste on the environment.

Q: What are the potential future impacts of this research on the industry?

A: The potential future impacts of this research on the industry include the potential for the results to be used to inform policy and management practices in oil palm plantations, and the potential for the study to contribute to a greater understanding of the impact of liquid waste on the environment.