Effects of abiotic parameters main of soil on the distribution of earthworms in a tropical moist savanna (Lamto, Central Côte d’Ivoire)

Abstract

The distribution of earthworms fluctuates in relation to vegetation type and environmental factors. This study evaluates the effects of litter input, organic matter, soil moisture and pH on the structure and relative abundance of earthworms collected from different vegetation of Lamto reserve. Grassy savanna, woody savanna and Forest were sampling. Each vegetation type has been divided into 3 plots. These plots were geo-referenced using a GPS and mapped using QGIS software. For each plot, 25 points were randomly selected using their GPS coordinates. The litters were collected manually. In TSBF (Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility) monoliths of the earthworms have been collected by handsorting. Soil clumps were also collected to determine the organic matter contain, soil moisture and pH. The woody savanna contained the greatest number of earthworm species followed by the grassy savanna and the forest that had the same number of species. Whereas, forest has the highest density of earthworms, followed by grassy and woody savannas. The moisture of soil influences the distribution of earthworm in forest. In grassy savanna the distribution of earthworm depends on soil moisture and organic matter. In woody savanna, the distribution of earthworm depends on soil moisture, pH and biomass of litter.

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Keywords: Earthworms, distribution, soil abiotic parameters, vegetation type, Lamto