Seasonal variations in earthworm density and biomass in low altitude natural stands and artificial planting, and their relationship with soil characteristics

Document Type : Complete scientific research article

Authors

1 Master's degree student, Department of Forestry and Forest Ecology, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran.

2 Associate Professor, Department of Forestry and Forest Ecology, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran.

3 Professor, Department of Forestry and Forest Ecology, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran

Abstract

Background and objectives: Earthworms, as one of the most prominent biological groups in soil, play a crucial role in enhancing its physical, chemical, and biological properties, thereby influencing subterranean biomass and biogeochemical cycles. By modifying soil porosity and decomposing organic matter, they contribute significantly to improving ecosystem functionality. Their abundance is influenced by environmental factors such as moisture and litter quality. In forested areas, differences between natural and planted stands, particularly in forest plains like Shast-Kalateh, have a notable impact on earthworm populations. Moreover, seasonal variations in climate and soil characteristics can significantly affect the distribution patterns and biomass of these organisms. This study aimed to examine the effects of natural and planted forest stands on earthworm density and biomass across different seasons in six forest stands within the Shast-Kalateh forestry plan.
Materials and methods: In this study, two natural forest stands, specifically the Productive and Low-yielding Persian Ironwood-Hornbeam, were selected alongside four reforested stands—Arizona cypress, Caucasian alder, Chestnut-leaved oak, and a mixed Chestnut-leaved oak-Caucasian elm forest—in district one. The selection ensured similarity in topographic conditions such as slope, aspect, and altitude above sea level across all stands. Monthly, 30 soil samples were collected from each forest type using a cylinder with a cross-section of 81 cm² and a depth of 30 cm. Earthworms were manually sorted from these samples, subsequently oven-dried at 60°C, and weighed with a precision of 0.001 grams. Simultaneously, surface soil samples (0 to 10 cm depth) were obtained to assess various physical and chemical characteristics, including moisture content, bulk density, acidity, nitrogen levels, and organic carbon content, as well as phosphorus and potassium concentrations.
Results: The results revealed a notable disparity in both the average number (1.46) and biomass (0.2) of earthworms between natural forest stands and artificially planted areas. Across all seasons, the average biomass of earthworms exhibited a decrease in the following order: spring (0.26), winter (0.14), Autumn (0.13) and summer (0.05). Intriguingly, the winter season emerged as particularly conducive to earthworm activity in the plains of Shastakalate forest. Notably, the highest number (1.7) and biomass (0.81) of earthworms were consistently observed in the artificial planting Oak stand in the depth of 0-10 cm. This underscores its success in creating optimal soil conditions for earthworms. The findings highlight the seasonal dynamics and depth preferences of earthworms in response to varying environmental conditions. Furthermore, the population of earthworms in the studied area exhibited a strong correlation with specific soil characteristics, with acidity, moisture levels, and the carbon-nitrogen ratio identified as the most influential factors. These results contribute valuable insights into the intricate interplay between earthworm dynamics and key soil attributes, emphasizing the importance of considering both natural and artificial environments in silvicultural practices
Conclusion: According to the findings of this study, the density and biomass of earthworms were higher in natural forest stands compared to planted stands, indicating more favorable living conditions in the former. Among the planted stands, however, the Chestnut-leaved oak stand demonstrated the highest earthworm density and biomass at a soil depth of 0–10 cm, making it the most successful in creating optimal soil conditions for earthworm activity. Seasonal changes also significantly influenced earthworm biomass, with winter in the Shast-Kalateh forest plain identified as a particularly favorable period for their activity. These findings underscore the importance of soil and forest stand management in enhancing ecosystem health.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

1.Kang, H., Gao, H., Wang, Y., & Ning, M. (2018). Changes in soil microbial community structure and function after afforestation depend on species and age: Case study in a subtropical alluvial island. Science of the Total Environment. 625 (8), 1423-1432.
2.Hoogmoed, M., Cunningham, S. C., Baker, P. J., Beringer, J., & Cavagnaro, T. R. (2014). Is there more soil carbon under nitrogen-fixing trees than under non-nitrogen-fixing trees in mixed -species restoration plantings? Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment. 188 (4), 80-84.
3.Castillo, P. R., Marian, L., Marian, F., Gunter, S., Espinosa, C. I., Maraun, M., & Scheu, S. )2018(. Response of oribatid mites to reforestation of degraded tropical montane pastureland. European Journal of Soil Biology. 84 (2), 35-41.
4.Menta, C., Conti, F. D., Pinto, S., & Bodini, A. (2018). Soil Biological Quality index (QBS-ar): 15 year of application
at global scale. Ecological Indicators. 85 (5), 773-780.
5.Ganin, G. N., & Atopkin, D. M. (2018). Molecular differentiation of epigeic and anceic forms of Drawida ghilarovi Gates, 1969 (Moniligastridae, Clitellata) in the Russian Far East: Sequence data of two mitochondrial genes. European Journal of Soil Biology, 86, 1-7.
6.Wang, X., Wang, S., Teng, M. J., Lin, X. F., Wu, D., & Sun, J. (2017). Impacts of two typical earthworms on soil microbial community structure and physicocjemical properties in a greenhouse vegetable field. Acta Ecological Sinica. 37 (3), 1-11.
7.Kooch, Y., Samadzadeh, B., & Hosseini, S. M. )2017(. The effects of broad-leaves tree species on litter quality and soil properties in a plain forest stand. Catena. 150 (3), 223-229.
8.Edwards, C. A., & Bohlen, P. J. (1996). Biology and ecology of earthworms. Springer Science & Business Media. 3, 286p.
9.De Wandeler, H., Sousa-Silva, R., Ampoorter, E., Bruelheide, H., Carnol, M., Dawud, S. M., & Muys, B. (2016). Drivers of earthworm incidence and abundance across European forests. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 99, 167-178.
10.Irannejad, E., & Rahmani, R. (2009). Evaluation of earthworm abundance and vertical distribution pattern in some forest types of Shast-Kolateh. J. of Forest and Wood Products (JFWP), Iranian J. of Natural Resources. 62 (2), 145-157. [In Persian]
11.Coleman, D. C., Crossley, D. A., & Hendrix, P. F. (2004). Fundamentals of Soil Ecology. Amsterdam. Elsevier Academic Press. 386p.
12.Xie, T., Wang, M., Chen, W., Li, X., & Lyu, Y. (2024). Earthworm diversity and its influencing factors at plot scale in urban areas. Soil & Environmental Health. 2 (1), 215-129.
13.Rahmani, R., & Saleh-Rastin, N. (2000). Abundance, vertical distribution and seasonal changes in earthworm populations of oakhornbeam, hornbeam and beech forests in Neka, Caspian Forests, Iran. Iranian J. of Natural Resources. 53 (1), 37-52. [In Persian]
14.Joos, O., Hagedorn, F., Heim, A., Gilgen, A. K., Schmidt, M. W. I., Siegwolf, R. T. W., & Buchmann, N. (2010). Summer drought reduces total and litter-derived soil CO2 effluxes in temperate grassland - clues from a 13C litter addition experiment. Biogeosciences, 7, 1031-1041.
15.Jafari Haghighi, M. (2003). Methods of Soil Analysis: Sampling and Important Physical & Chemical Analysis. Nedaye Zoha Press, Sari, 236p. [In Persian]
16.Walkley, A., & Black, I. A. (1934). An examination of the Degtjareff method for determining soil organic matter, and a proposed modification of the chromic analysis. Global Biogeochemical Cycles, 20 (3), 1-10.
17.Talebi, M., Sagheb-Talebi, Kh., & Jahanbazi, H. (2006). Site demands and some quantitative and qualitative characteristics of Persian Oak (Quercus brantii Lindl.) in Chaharmahal & Bakhtiari Province (western Iran). Iranian J. of Forest and Poplar Research. 14 (1), 67-69. [In Persian]
18.Kooch, Y., Tarighat, F. S., & Haghverdi, K. (2022). Effect of forest and non-forest land covers on soil organic matter, fulvic and humic acids. Iranian Forest Ecology J. 10 (19), 39-46. [In Persian]
19.Chauhan, R. P. (2014). Role of earthworms in soil fertility and factors affecting their population dynamics: a review. International J. of Research. 1 (6), 642-64.
20.Celik, I. (2005). Land-use effects on organic matter and physical properties of soil in a southern Mediterranean highland of Turkey. Soil and Tillage Research. 83, 270-277.
21.Jamatia, S. K. S., & Chaudhuri, P. S. (2017). Earthworm community structure under tea plantations (Camellia sinensis) of Tripura (India). Tropical Ecology. 58 (1), 105-113.
22.Naik, A., Mahata, A., & Palita, S. K. (2024). Studies on earthworm diversity with respect to soil properties in different land use systems in Koraput region of the Eastern Ghats, India. Biodiversity and Conservation. 33 (3), 256-263.
23.Cortez, J. (1998). Field decomposition of leaf litters. Relationships between earthworms decomposition rates and
 soil moisture. Soil temperature and earthworm activity. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 30 (6), 783-793.
24.Goswami, R., & Mondal, C.K. (2015). A study on earthworm population and diversity with special reference to physicochemical parameters in different habitats of south 24 parganas district in west Bengal. Zoological Survey of India. 115 (1), 31-38.
25.Neirynck, J., Mirtcheva, S., Sioen, G., & Lust, N. (2000). Impact of Tilia, platyphyllos Scop. Fraxinus exceslsior L., Acer pseudoplatanus L., Quercus robur L. and Fagus sylvatica L. on earthworm biomass and physico – chemical, properties of loamy topsoil. Forest Ecology and Management. 133, 275-286.
26.Sayyad, E., Hosseini, S. M., Hosseini, V., & Salehe-Shooshtari, M. H. (2012). Soil macrofauna in relation to soil and leaf litter properties in tree plantations, J. of Forest Science. 58, 170-180.
27.Deleporte, S. (2001). Changes in the earthworm community of an acidophilus, lowland beech forest during a stand rotation. Soil Biology. 37, 1-7.
28.Jiménez, J., & Decaëns, T. (2000). Vertical distribution of earthworms in grassland soils of the Colombian Llanos. Biology and Fertility of Soils. 32 (6), 463-473.
29.Frouz, J., Livečková, M., Albrechtová, J., Chroňáková, A., Cajthaml, T., Pižl, V., & Cepáková, Š. (2013). Is the effect of trees on soil properties mediated by soil fauna A case study from post-mining sites. Forest Ecology and Management. 309, 87-95.
30.Leon, Y. S., Zou, X., Borges, S., & Ruan, H. (2003). Recovery of native earthworms in abandoned tropical pastures. Conservation Biology. 17 (4), 1-8.
31.Tang, B., Zi, Y., Liu, C., Yue, M., Zhang, Y., Zhang, W., Chen, J., & Duan, Ch. (2024). Effects of Nano-zero-valent Iron and Earthworms on Soil Physicochemical Properties and Microecology in Cadmium-Contaminated Soils. Water Air Soil Pollutant. 235, 81-88.
Journal of Wood and Forest Science and Technology
Volume 31, Issue 3
October 2024
Pages 1-16

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics