RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN EARTHWORMS AND SOME PLANT-SPECIES IN A MEADOW

In a meadow ecosystem near Hohenheim the abundance of earthworms was significantly correlated with plant species. However, there were no significant differences in the species composition of the earthworm populations. The higher earthworm abundances did not result in better crumb structure; on some dates they were correlated with even higher bulk density of the soil. Other differences in the processes of formation and stabilization of the soil fabric which could obscure earthworm effects must be taken into account. The study indicates that the spatial and temporal variability of the plant cover increases the variability of other members of the ecosystem. This is generally regarded to stabilize the ecosystem.