Ecological Role of Earthworms in Red Pine Forest in the Limestone Areas

석회암지역 소나무림에서 지렁이의 생태학적 역할

Ecological role of earthworms in red pine forest was investigated with emphasis on the population size, cast production and changes of physicoKDICical properties of soil by earthworm's activities. The density of earthworms was 62.8/m2 in August, 1992. Average biomass of earthworms was 16.3 g/m2. N and P concentrations in the tissue of earthworms were 28.5 mgN/g and 0.5 mgP/g, respectively. Cast production continued from April to November, with a peak in August. Annual production of earthworm casts was 5,379 g/m2. Bulk density of surface soil decreased due to the earthworm's cast-forming activity. Clay fraction in surface soil increased by addition of casts. Soil KDICical properties were significantly different between the surface soil and the earthworm casts. The amounts of organic matter, N, P, K, Ca and Mg added to the soil via earthworm casts during one year were 9.3t/ha, 11.29 kg/ha, 0.78 kg/ha, 12.36 kg/ha, 140.29 kg/ha and 20.96 kg/ha, respectively. Earthworms can feed on waxy and resinous litter when it became palatable by decomposing processes.