Comparison of the earthworms Lumbricus terrestris, Lumbricus rubellus, and Aporrectodea trapezoids preference for different soil types, leaf litter, and tree composition.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a correlation between the abundance of worms (Lumbricus terrestris, Lumbricus rubellus, and Aporrectea trapezoids combined ) and a variety of factors such as leaf litter weight, soil pH, soil type (sand vs. clay), and forest type (conifer vs. hardwood). Within Colonial Point (located near Burt Lake at the University of Michigan’s biological station), plots were randomly taken along a transect line within the following location types: conifer/sandy sites, conifer/clay, hardwood/sand, and hardwood/clay. Amount of worms, leaf litter weight, soil pH, soil type, and forest type were all classified and measured. The results suggested a significant correlation between soil type and worm abundance. There is also a possible trend between worm abundance and pH, however the data on forest types and leaf litter suggested that these variables did not have a significant effect on worm abundance. Worms preferred the clay soils with higher pH, yet they did not seem to have as much of a preference for forest types or leaf litter weight.