Diversity and Distribution of Earthworms with Special Reference to Their Population Dynamics in Selected Land use systems along an altitude Gradient in Mid Himalaya

Abstract

newline Soil harbours an assemblage of diverse below ground organisms, which play a newlinecrucial role in the maintenance of above ground biodiversity. Among the soil fauna, newlineearthworms are recognized as the most dominant group having significant effects on newlinesoil fertility and structure. Alteration of land use types affects the biodiversity of newlineearthworms, and soil degradation is linked to a decline in earthworm activity and newlinediversity. The present study is aimed to investigate diversity and distribution pattern newlineof earthworm communities in different land use types. Earthworms were sampled at newlinemonthly intervals for a period of two years across diverse land use types including newlinecultivation, orchards, mixed forest, dry deciduous forest (Acacia catechu), coniferous newlineforests (Pinus roxburghii and Cedrus deodara) and oak forest (Quercus newlineleucotrichophora). newlineTwenty species of families Moniligastridae, Lumbricidae, Octochaetidae and newlineMegascolecidae were found in study sites. These mainly comprise of exotic and newlinenative peregrine species, including exotic Amynthas hupeiensis, which is being newlinerecorded for the first time from India. Alteration in land use and habitat destruction newlineappear to have led to elimination of native earthworms species in the study area. newlineHighest earthworm density and biomass has been recorded in mango orchard newlineat low altitude site (372 m), in mixed forest at mid altitude site (1463 m) and in newlineconiferous Cedrus forest at high altitude site (2200 m). Earthworm communities are newlinesignificantly correlated with rainfall, soil moisture, temperature, pH, organic carbon newlineand phosphorus. newlineKeywords: Earthworms, biodiversity hotspot, distribution, diversity, Megascolecidae, newlineOctochaetidae, Lumbricidae and Octochaetidae