Earthworm (Lumbricidae) assemblages of forest ecosystems in the anthropogenically

Abstract

Assemblages of earthworms were evaluated in spruce and beech stands in the Kienhaida Nature Reserve (Krušné hory Mts., Czech Republic) and its immediate surroundings, where site conditions were modified by the soil preparation for forest regeneration. The beech stands of the reserve showed low diversity but higher earthworm abundance than did the spruce stands, which in turn showed the lowest Lumbricidae abundance (18 individuals.m-2). The highest abundance of earthworms (124 individuals.m-2) was found in the soil of mounds created 30 years prior to sampling from the organic soil of the Ah horizon. The highest species diversity and low abundance were characteristic of areas between the mounds, the soil surface of which was greatly disturbed after removal of the Ah horizon to create those mounds. The degree to which the reforested clear-cuts created due to air pollution were overgrown with weeds contributed positively to the diversity and abundance of Lumbricidae.

Keywords

• forest ecosystems
• kienhaida nature reserve
• krušné hory mts.
• lumbricidae
• reforestation procedures