Population characteristics and influencing factors of terrestrial earthworms in Qinling Mountains

Jian Wang,Chenxi Yang,Jingsi Li,L Li,S Zhu

doi:10.1051/e3sconf/202233801036

Abstract

Earthworms can have an important effect on a variety of processes that determine soil fertility and play a very important role in natural ecosystems. The biomass and density of earthworms in 4 different land utilize types in the Qinling mountains were investigated using the wet funnel method. The relationship between the characteristics of earthworm populations characteristics and environmental factors were analysed, and the significant differences in soil earthworm density (P < 0.05) and fresh weight (P < 0.05) were discovered under different land utilize types, and all showed the highest value in orchard land, followed by woodland and grassland, in addition, the lowest was discovered in cultivated land. In addition, Pearson correlation analysis indicate that soil earthworm population characteristics was strongly negatively correlated with soil ammonium nitrogen (NH4+-N), and strongly positively correlated with fine root biomass. The clarified relationship between earthworm population characteristics and soil physical and chemical properties will help qualitatively predict and evaluate the ecological functions of terrestrial earthworms in Qinling mountains.

Highlights

As one of the most active soil animal groups in the formation of soil biological fertility, soil animals are the objects of protection and important biological resources that can be used in the process of land use
The density of soil earthworms was in the order of garden > woodland & grassland > cultivated land, and the fresh weight of soil earthworms showed the order of garden > woodland & grassland > cultivated land
Previous studies have found that differences in environmental elements will affect the physical and chemical environment of the soil, resulting in changes in the relationship between earthworms and microorganisms and other symbiotic and symbiotic organisms [8,9], which in turn lead to changes in earthworm population density, distribution and other characteristics [10]

Summary

Introduction

As one of the most active soil animal groups in the formation of soil biological fertility, soil animals are the objects of protection and important biological resources that can be used in the process of land use. Earthworms, as large animals in soil, belong to Annelida, Oligochaaeta, and Opithopora [1] They play an extremely important role in organic matter decomposition, nutrient cycling and soil formation. They regulate soil material circulation and energy conversion processes through activities such as feeding, digestion, excretion, secretion, and burrowing, and are called "ecosystem engineers" [2]. Changes in land use patterns often lead to changes in the community structure of earthworms, and even lead to the invasion of alien species and the disappearance of native species of earthworms [3] It can cause changes in microbial biomass and activity [4], change soil physical and chemical properties [5], and even cause plant community degradation [6]. Since the 1970s and 1980s, due to intense human activities,

Materials and methods

Results and analysis

Discussion and conclusions