Comparative Studies on the Earthworm Community Structure in the Natural Mixed and Oak Plantation Sub-tropical Forests Ecosystem of Imphal, Manipur, India

Sharon Lamneng Haokip, Th. Binoy Singh

Abstract


In view of paucity of  information on the earthworms of Manipur, we studied the earthwork community in the reserve mix and oak plantation forests. We recorded 13 species of earthworms of which 6 species (D. japonica, D. nepalensis, Kanchuria sumerianus, Dichogaster bolaui, Perionyx shillongensis, and Enchytraeids) are new records. The earthworms belonged to eight genera and 5 families. Abundance varied between habitats with highest numbers found in reserve mix forest. Pontoscolex corethrurus was widely distributed in the plantation forest as compared to other species. Eutyphoeus sp. and Perionyx shillongensis were restricted to the reserve forest. Drawida sp. and Eutyphoeus sp. were abundant compared to other species in the reserve mixed forest. It also revealed greater diversity in natural mixed forest with twelve species and only four species in oak plantation forest. The soil physico-chemical characteristics (moisture, temperature, bulk density, porosity, organic carbon, Nitrogen, Phosphorus and pH) showed significant correlation with the changes in the population of earthworms. The soil of mix reserve forest was  more favorable habitat for earthworm as compared to that of oak plantation forest. Our study suggests that changes in the landuse patterns can have great impact on the community structure and population of earthworms.

Keywords


Abiotic Factors; Biodiversity; Land Use Impacts.

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