Connection between earthworms and soil parameters

Abstract

Earthworms play a determining role in forming soil organic matter, their presence is a good indicator of soils’ biological activity and soil health. The main question of the research was if there was any effect of earthworms on soil characteristics, especially the organic matter content or vice versa. The investigated area was the Gödöllő Hillside. Ten sites were chosen, mainly in semi-natural areas. The earthworms were counted and soil samples were collected from 25×25×25 cm pits, 5 pits per site. Soil samples were analysed by a NIR soil scanner device. Four earthworm species were found during the research: Aporrectodea rosea, Lumbricus terrestris, Lumbricus caliginosa and Eisena fetida. There were 4 sites characterized by sandy texture where no earthworms were present. The NIR device measured pH, humus, N, K, clay content and cation exchange capacity. There were significant connections between the number and the weight of adults and the soil parameters, and there was no significant connection in the case of the number of juvenile earthworms, however. Based on the medium strength of the correlation between the soil parameters and earthworm characteristics, we can conclude that more soil parameters have effects on earthworm numbers and weight than what was measured.