Thesis (BS Biology) -- University of the Philippines Mindanao, 2004

The composition and abundance of meiofaunal species of three sago (Metroxylon sagu Rottb.) areas in Bunawan, Agusan del Sur were determined. Soil samples were collected using a modified corer during the months of April, October, November 2003 and February 2004 for seasonal variation. The soil samples were sieved using 1 mm-, 0.25mm and 64µm ?meshwire sizes to delineate the species obtained as meiofauna. Twenty-one (21) categories (=2,646) were observe for the entire sampling duration majority of which belonged to Phylum Arthropoda (n=754) and Nematoda (n=1,108). Statistical analysis using standard deviation showed discrepancies between the means of the physico-chemical parameters on both temporal and spatial scales except of water level. Moreover, the diversity of meiofauna from the three sites also showed discrepancies between the means on both temporal and spatial scales. Analysis between the diversity of meiofaual assemblage and different physico-chmical parametersshowed little correlation. An r value of 0.243 for water level and meiofauna diversity was obtained while negative correlation for pH, air and water temperature was observed