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D. BIOTIC FACTORS: influence of man, fire, domestic and wild
animals, pest and diseases, competing vegetation

- The existing vegetation gives a valuable indication of site
quality itself being a result of the interaction of site
quality itself being a result of the interaction of climate,
soil, topography and biotic factors.

D.1. SOIL BIOTIC

- Soil surface in the forest supports one of the richest
faunas and floras of all ecological niches.
- Bacteria is the greatest which are responsible for the
further breakdown of materials already ingested and
excreted by microorganisms.
- Fungi are the chief agents of humus decomposition.
- Earthworms are known for enhancing root penetration
and growth. Nematodes are known as soil cultivators.

D.2. ANIMALS
- Instrumental in the evolution of flowering plants
- Animals are significant dispersal agents of seed promoting
population, differentiation and gene flow.

D.3. PLANTS

- Plants may serve as indicator species as soil fixers by
binding soil in steep slopes or in shifting sand; soil
improvers enriching the soil with detritus and
maintaining moisture by reducing temperature and
preventing extreme fluctuations in surface temperature.

CHARACTERISTICS OF SPECIES CONSIDERED FOR
AGROFORESTRY

In choosing what species to plant in an area, it is very important
to consider the following:
a. Adaptability of the site
b. Productivity in relation to objectives of management
c. Seed supply
d. Regeneration characteristics
 Capacity to withstand pruning, lopping and browsing
e. Nutrient cycling and nitrogen fixing capacity
f. Multipurpose species