Effects of different vegetation restoration of degraded red soil on earthworm population dynamics

Abstract

Abstract: This study was conducted at the long-term experimental plots in Ecological Experimental Station of Red Soil in Yujiang County (28°15'30″N,116°55'30″E),Jiangxi Province,subtropical China.Earthworm population was investigated seasonally from May 1999 to February 2000,under different vegetations including four artificial woodlands [deciduous broadleaf woodland (Quercus chenii,Qc),evergreen broadleaf woodland (Schima superba,Ss),coniferous woodland (Pinus massonina,Pm) and mixed woodland (Schima superba-Pinus massonina,Sm)],two grasslands [gently-disturbed grassland (G₁),undisturbed grassland (G₂)] and control wasteland (CK).The results indicated that the population structure was very simple.Only Drawinda gisti characterized by pioneer was found.The seasonal averages of density and biomass were in the order of G₂>G₁>Qc>Ss>Pm>Sm>CK,and those of G₂,G₁ and Qc were significantly higher than those of the latters (P<0.05).Seasonal fluctuations were obvious with dry-hot summer depressing the earthworm population sharply,leading to the aestivation of earthworm.Based on the variation coefficients of density and biomass,Qc had the highest ecosystem stability,followed by Sm and Ss,and G₁,G₂,and Pm had the lowest stability.The overall differentiation of earthworm population could be drawn through canonical discriminant analysis.There were significant correlations between earthworms and some soil properties (P<0.01).Overall,the differentiation of earthworm population was driven by the quantity and quality of soil organic matter returned by the vegetations.Additionally,based on earthworm population,the importance of selecting appropriate vegetation types during the restoration of degraded red soil was emphasized.

Key words: Degraded red soil, Earthworm population, Density and biomass, Seasonal fluctuation, Vegetation restoration

CLC Number:

S154

LIU Manqiang, HU Feng, CHEN Xiaoyun, HE Yuanqiu, LI Huixin . Effects of different vegetation restoration of degraded red soil on earthworm population dynamics[J]. Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology, 2004, (11): 2152-2156.

References

[1] Cai X-M(蔡晓明),ed.2000.Ecosystem Ecology.Beijing:Science Press.(in Chinese)
[2] Chen Y(陈义),ed.1959.China Animal Atalas-Annelida.Beijing:Science Press.2～16(in Chinese)
[3] Edwards CA,Lofty JR.1977.Biology of Earthworms.London:Chapman and Hall.152～154
[4] Harris WF,Santantonio D,Mcginty D.1980.The dynamic of belowground ecosystem.In:Waring RH,ed.Forests:Fresh Perspectives from Ecosystem Analysis.Oregon:Oregon State University Press.119～129
[5] Heal OW,Dighton JD.1986.Nutrient cycling and decomposition in natural terrestrial ecosystems.In:Mitchell MJ,Nakas JP,eds.Development in Biogeochemistry-Microfloral and Faunal Interactions in Natural and Agro-Ecosystems.Martinus Nijhoff:Dr W.Junk Publishers.14～73
[6] Hu F(胡锋),Wu S-M(吴珊眉),Huang R-C(黄瑞采).1991.The role of earthworms in matter cycling of red soil ecosystems.In:Zhang X-W(张先婉),ed.Advances in Soil Fertility Research.Beijing:China Science and Technology Press.176～183(in Chinese)
[7] Hu F(胡锋),Wu S-M(吴珊眉).1993.Population characteristics of earthworm in red soil ecosystems under different utilization.J Nanjing Agric Univ(南京农业大学学报),16(1):65～71(in Chinese)
[8] Hu F,Li HX.2000.Organic matter decomposition in red soil as affected by earthworms.Pedosphere,10(2):143～148
[9] Kong D-Z(孔德珍).1998.Study on the restoration approach of degeneration vegetation in Qianyanzhou red earth hilly region.In:Ecosystem Restoration and Agriculture Sustainable Development of Hilly Red SoilⅡ.Beijing:Meteorological Press.44～51(in Chinese)
[10] Kong D-Z(孔德珍).1995.A study on restoration and reestablishment of the forest vegetation in red soil hilly area.In:Research on Red Soil Ecosystem Ⅲ.Beijing:China Agricultural Science and Technology Press.345～352(in Chinese)
[11] Lal R.1988.Effects of macrofauna on soil properties in tropical ecosystems.Agric Ecosys Environ,24(1～3):101～116
[12] Lee KE.1985.Earthworms:Their Ecology and Relationships with Soil and Land Use.Sydney:Academic Press.411
[13] Liu M-Q(刘满强),Hu F(胡锋),Li H-X(李辉信),et al.2002.Soil arthropod communities under different artificial woodland restored on degraded red soil.Acta Ecol Sin(生态学报),22(1):54～61(in Chinese)
[14] Makeschin F.1997.Earthworms(Lumbricidae:Oligochaeta):Important promoters of soil development and soil fertility.In:Benckiser G,ed.Fauna in Soil Ecosystems:Recycling Process,Nutrient Fluxes,and Agricultural Production.New York:Marcel Dekker,Inc.173～223
[15] Muys B,Lust N,Granval PH.1992.Effects of grassland forestation with different tree species on earthworm communities,litter decomposition and nutrient status.Soil Biol Biochem,24(12):1459～1466
[16] Satchell JE.1983.Earthworm Ecology:From Darwin to Vermiculture.London:Chapman and Hall.
[17] Sun B(孙波),Zhao Q-G(赵其国).1999.Evaluation indexes and methods of soil quality concerning red soil degradation.Prog Geog Sci(地理科学进展),18(2):118～128(in Chinese)
[18] Sáchez EG,Muňoz B,Garvín MH,et al.1997.Ecological preferences of some earthworm species in southwest Spain.Soil Biol Biochem,29(3-4):313～316
[19] Tilman D.1996.Biodiversity:Population versus ecosystem stability.Ecology,77(2):350～363
[20] Valle JV,Moro RP,Garvin MH,et al.1997.Annal dynamics of the earthworm Hormogaster elisae(Oligochaeta,Hormogastridae)in central Spain.Soil Biol Biochem,29(3-4):309～312
[21] Yang Y-S(杨玉盛),He Z-M(何宗明),Lin G-Y(林光耀),et al.1998.Effect of different improving patterns on fertility of severely degraded granite red soil.Acta Pedol Sin(土壤学报),35(2):276～282(in Chinese)
[22] Yin W-Y(尹文英),ed.1998.Pictorial Keys to Soil Animals of China.Beijing:Science Press.90～106(in Chinese)
[23] Zhao Q-G(赵其国).1995.Degradation problems of red soil in China.Soils(土壤),27(6):281～285(in Chinese)
[24] Zhong J-H(钟继洪),Tan J(谭军),Guo Q-R(郭庆荣),et al.1998.Comparative study on structure characteristic of hilly latored soils under different vegetation in south subtropics.Chin J Appl Ecol(应用生态学报),9(4):359～364(in Chinese)