Earthworm assemblages on afforested colliery spoil heaps as affected by tree species

0327393 - BC 2010 RIV CZ eng C - Conference Paper (international conference)
Pižl, Václav
Earthworm assemblages on afforested colliery spoil heaps as affected by tree species.
Contributions to Soil Zoology in Central Europe III. Proceedings of the 9^th Central European Workshop on Soil Zoology. České Budějovice: Institute of Soil Biology BC AS CR, 2009, s. 113-118. ISBN 978-80-86525-13-6.
[Contributions to Soil Zoology in Central Europe III. Central European Workshop on Soil Zoology /9./. České Budějovice (CZ), 17.04.2007-20.04.2007]
R&D Projects: GA ČR(CZ) GA526/06/0728; GA AV ČR 1QS600660505
Institutional research plan: CEZ:AV0Z60660521
Keywords : earthworms * colliery spoil heaps * afforestation
Subject RIV: EH - Ecology, Behaviour

Earthworm assemblages were analysed at twenty-eight colliery spoil heap sites of similar age located in the Sokolov open-cast coal mining district, north-western Bohemia, Czech Republic. Sites afforested with different tree species, namely spruce, pine, larch, oak, lime, and alder, were selected for the study in four replicates each, and compared with un-reclaimed sites covered with spontaneously developed vegetation. No difference was found in the density of earthworms between un-reclaimed sites and coniferous stands, however, a significant effect of tree species on worm density was observed at sites with deciduous afforestation. Dense earthworm populations developed in alder and lime plantations, while worm density was significantly lower under oak. Similarly, earthworm biomass at sites with coniferous afforestation did not differ from that of un-reclaimed heaps and was significantly lower than those at sites with deciduous afforestation.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0174222