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Earthworms and pH affect communities of nematodes and enchytraeids in forest soil

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Abstract

In northern boreal forests the occurrence of endogeic and anecic earthworms is determined by soil pH. Increasing evidence suggests that large detritivorous soil animals such as earthworms can influence the other components of the decomposer community. To study the effects of earthworms and pH on soil nematode and enchytraeid communities, a factorially designed experiment was conducted with Lumbricus rubellus and/or Aporrectodea caliginosa. Earthworms were added to "mesocosms" containing unlimed (pH 4.8) or limed (pH 6.1) coniferous mor humus with their natural biota of micro-organisms. In the absence of earthworms, nematodes were significantly more abundant in limed than in unlimed humus. Earthworms markedly decreased the numbers of nematodes both in unlimed and limed soils. Earthworm activities eliminated enchytraeids in unlimed soil, but liming improved the survival of some species. It was concluded that liming of soil, either alone or mediated by the earthworm populations, is likely to affect soil nematode and enchytraeid community and mineralisation.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Mustapha Boucelham, Leena Kontiola and Aisling O'Shea for assisting in the experimental work, Prof. Dr. Klára Dózsa-Farkas for invaluable help in taxonomy of Enchytraeidae and Dr. Joann von Weissenberg for revising the English language. The support of the Konnevesi Research Station, University of Jyväskylä, is also acknowledged. This study was funded by the Academy of Finland and the foundation Metsämiesten Säätiö.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Suonenjoki Research Station, Finnish Forest Research Institute, 77600, Suonenjoki, Finland

    Mika Räty

  2. Department of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Jyväskylä, P.O. Box 35 (Ambiotica), 40351, Jyväskylä, Finland

    Veikko Huhta

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  1. Mika Räty
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  2. Veikko Huhta
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Correspondence to Mika Räty.

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Räty, M., Huhta, V. Earthworms and pH affect communities of nematodes and enchytraeids in forest soil. Biol Fertil Soils 38, 52–58 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00374-003-0614-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00374-003-0614-5

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