Earthworms (Lumbricidae) of an air-polluted area affected by ameliorative liming

Abstract

The study was aimed at the area of the Krušné hory Mts. with stands of substitute species, soils disturbed by long-term acidification and affected repeatedly by aerial ameliorative liming. Ten species of earthworms were recorded. The highest abundance was shown by earthworms of Dendrobaena attemsi, Dendrobaena octaedra and Dendrobaena vejdovskyi, which are considered to be acidotolerant being, however, monitored in the high and balanced abundance at pH 2.8-6.2. Ubiquitous species developed in soils of markedly lower pH, viz. Lumbricus rubellus (2.8-5.6), Aporrectodea caliginosa (3.1-5.5), and Octolasion lacteum (3.2-5.2). Dendrobaena attemsi responded positively to low saturation of the base-exchange complex, low C/N ratio and high content of phosphorus, and negatively to the high level of calcium. D. octaedra responded positively to the higher level of calcium and D. vejdovskyi to the higher content of potassium.

Keywords

• forest ecosystem
• krušné hory mts.
• liming
• lumbricidae
• soil chemistry