Earthworms (Lumbricidae) of the Bohemian Forest

0206508 - UPB-H 20033047 RIV CZ eng J - Journal Article
Pižl, Václav
Earthworms (Lumbricidae) of the Bohemian Forest.
Silva Gabreta. Roč. 8, - (2002), s. 143-148. ISSN 1211-7420
R&D Projects: GA ČR GA206/99/1410; GA ČR GA206/99/1416; GA MŽP SE/610/10/00
Institutional research plan: CEZ:AV0Z6066911
Keywords : soil fauna * earthworms * Šumava Mts.
Subject RIV: EH - Ecology, Behaviour

All historical data available on the occurrence of earthworms on the territory of the Bohemian Forest are listed and new records are given obtained in 1982-2000. In total 1382 earthworm individuals were collected during both occasional samplings and scientific projects at 24 localities, among which 17 species and subspecies of earthworms were identified. Of those, Dendrobaena pygmaea was recorded for the first time from Bohemia and additional 4 taxa were new for the Bohemian Forest. Including the literature data, the list of earthworms known from the Šumava NP and PLA comprises 22 taxa, i.e. 42% of the earthworm fauna of the Czech Republic. There were strong differences among the diversity of earthworm faunas at individual localities depending on the type of ecosystems and soils. Acidophilous spruce forests possessed poor but very specific earthworm assemblages built of acidotolerant epigeic species. In contrast, relatively rich assemblages inhabited non-forest localities with deeper slightly acid soils as well as beech forests, spruce forests in various degrees of degradation and ecotones. Per site density of earthworms ranged from 3,2 to 166,7 individuals.m-2 and was generally higher in mountain meadows than in spruce forests and/or clear-cut areas.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0102101