The role of agroforestry system for microarthropods biodiversity at upstream area of Merawu watershed, Banjarnegara District, Indonesia

The role of agroforestry system is significant for the sustainability of land-use, soil, water, biodiversity, and environmental conservation. The soil microfauna and vegetation pattern are potential as ecosystem indicators to evaluate the quality of the environment. The research was conducted in the catchment area level, using 9 plots with difference stratification of up-stream, mid-stream, and downstream in the catchment. The nested quadrate divides into 6 layers of vegetation, and soil fauna sample is in the middle of the study plot. The soil microarthropods is observed by Berlese fauna method for 7 days and identify order by microscope and counting. The result indicates that the microarthropods in the agroforestry system shown in high abundance and biodiversity. Moreover, the vegetation pattern has a strong correlation with the microarthropods biodiversity. The research found that microarthropods biodiversity and vegetation pattern in the agroforestry system have a strong correlation and interaction. This relation will have a significant role to maintain the ecosystem balance on nutrient and water cycle in the catchment area. Farmers on agroforestry system provide both of environment and economics by following the natural role to support agroforestry system as an ecosystem service. © Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd.