Response of earthworm’s biomass and soil properties in different afforested type areas in the North Iran

Authors : Mahmoud Radaei, Masomeh Izadi

Pages : 47-52

Doi:10.18393/ejss.2016.1.047-052

View : 51 | Download : 9

Publication Date : 2016-01-02

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of spruce insert ignore into journalissuearticles values( Picea abies );, alder insert ignore into journalissuearticles values( Alnus subcordata );, and spruce with alder and maple insert ignore into journalissuearticles values( Picea abies with Alnus Subcordata and Acer cappadocicum ); plantations on the soil properties and earthworm’s abundance and biomass in the Lajim, north of Iran. Soil sampling with 50 × 50 cm samples to 50 cm depth in the studied stands was conducted in order to measure soil and earthworm abundance and biomass. Soil texture, C, N, pH, K, and P were measured in all samples in the laboratory. Earthworm’s abundance was measured by handpicked and dried for 48 h at 60 °C and then the biomass was measured per unit area. The results showed that the percentage of organic carbon, N, and C/N ratio reached the climax and acidity had the lowest value in spruce stand, and K was significantly higher in alder stand. The maximum and minimum abundance of earthworms was observed in alder and spruce stands, respectively. The results of this study support the effects of plantations on soil properties, earthworm abundance, and biomass.
Keywords : Alder, earthworms, plantation, soil, spruce

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