INVENTORY OF THE EARTHWORM COMMUNITIES AND THE STATE OF LITTER DECOMPOSITION IN THE FORESTS OF FLANDERS, BELGIUM, AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR FOREST MANAGEMENT

In 25 representative forest stands in Flanders, Belgium, an inventory was made of earthworm activity, litter decomposition and nutrient status. It was found that the dominant tree species is more important in determining the biological and chemical fertility of the stand than the soil texture and the climate. It was clear, however, that neither changing tree species nor liming were wholly successful in activating degraded soils. A global strategy integrating choice of tree species, rectifying nutrient inputs (liming, fertilizing) and earthworm introduction must be worked out to rehabilitate degraded loamy soils. In sandy soils, litter accumulation should not to be considered as unfavourable but as a conservation strategy.