Environmental activity of anecic earthworms (Lumbricus terrestris L.) and spatial organization of soil communities

The effect of feeding and burrowing activities of anecic earthworms (Lumbri cus terrestris) on abiotic characteristics of the soil, biomass and activit y of soil microorganisms, and the spatial distribution of Collembola and Lu mbricidae species was studied in a linden forest near Moscow. The results s howed that organic carbon content, nitrogen content, pH, and microbial biom ass and basal respiration are considerably higher around L. terrestris burr ows than in the surrounding soil. The total density of springtails near the burrows was 1.6-1.7 as high as at the control sites. The most pronounced p reference for earthworm burrows was observed in the species dominating in t he soils of undisturbed deciduous forests (Isotomiella minor and Isotoma no tabilis). The number and biomass of epigeic and endogeic earthworms also in creased significantly in the zone of L. terrestris burrows. However, some s pringtail (Isotoma viridis, Protaphorura cf. nemorata, Lepidocyrtus lignoru m) and earthworm species (Aporrectodea rosea) did not accumulate near L. te rrestris burrows and even avoided them. Thus, L. terrestris activities crea te a mosaic of soil microhabitats, which provides for the coexistence of di fferent microcommunities of soil organisms.