| Abstract: | Protozoa can move due to their flagella, cilia or pseudopodia, and play an important role in the transformation and cycling of matter and energy in ecosystems. In this study, the glass beads with the diameters of 1.0, 0.5, 0.25 and 0.1 mm were used to simulate soil pores of 0. 292 - 0. 258, 0. 155 - 0.116, 0. 056- 0. 040 and 0. 028 - 0.020 mm respectively. Three typical soil protozoa of Bodo edax, Colpoda cucullus and Amoeba proteus were examined for the relation of their movement to pores. It was found that the smallest protozoan of Bodo edax could be leached through all the pores. However, no more than 26% of the added protozoan was leached out of the column. The leached protozoa were decreased with the pore sizes and leaching duration. The bigger one of Colpoda cucullus was moved out from the column filled with the glass beads of ＞0.5 mm in diameter. Less than about 15 % of the added protozoa were leached out of the column. The biggest one of Amoeba proteus could not leached out from any of the pores. It is evident that most of the protozoa remained in the column due to their occupation of the pores. |
