Publication Date
1993
Description
Earthworm populations were surveyed in 4S pastures in Northland, New Zealand. Both sheep and beef, and dairying properties were sampled during late winter. European liumbricid earthworm species encountered were Aporrectodea caliginosa, A. trapezoides, A. rosea, A. longa, Lumbricus rubellus, L. terrestris, L. castaneus and Octolasion cyaneum. Amynthas diffringens, a megascolecid of Asian origin, was also found. Three native megascolecid species were found under developed pasture. Shallow burrowing species such as Lumbricus rubellus and A. caliginosa were the most frequently encountered species, being present on 91% and 89% of sites, respectively. A. caliginosa was the main contributor to earthworm biomass. O. cyaneum, though well distributed, contributed little to biomass. Deeper-burrowing species such as L. terrestris and A. longa were present on only 4% and 2% of.sites, respectively. Sites with the greatest diversity of species tended to have the greatest biomass during winter. The overall mean earthworm population was 1477 kg live weight/ha with 40S earthwormstm•. Earthworms were present at all sites. Suitable sites for deeper burrowing species need to be investigated,
Citation
Woods, P W.; Christie, A.R J.; and Couchman, J N., "Earthworms in Pastoral Soils of Northland, New Zealand" (2024). IGC Proceedings (1993-2023). 7.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1993/session22/7
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Earthworms in Pastoral Soils of Northland, New Zealand
Earthworm populations were surveyed in 4S pastures in Northland, New Zealand. Both sheep and beef, and dairying properties were sampled during late winter. European liumbricid earthworm species encountered were Aporrectodea caliginosa, A. trapezoides, A. rosea, A. longa, Lumbricus rubellus, L. terrestris, L. castaneus and Octolasion cyaneum. Amynthas diffringens, a megascolecid of Asian origin, was also found. Three native megascolecid species were found under developed pasture. Shallow burrowing species such as Lumbricus rubellus and A. caliginosa were the most frequently encountered species, being present on 91% and 89% of sites, respectively. A. caliginosa was the main contributor to earthworm biomass. O. cyaneum, though well distributed, contributed little to biomass. Deeper-burrowing species such as L. terrestris and A. longa were present on only 4% and 2% of.sites, respectively. Sites with the greatest diversity of species tended to have the greatest biomass during winter. The overall mean earthworm population was 1477 kg live weight/ha with 40S earthwormstm•. Earthworms were present at all sites. Suitable sites for deeper burrowing species need to be investigated,
