Earthworm communities in relation to tree diversity in a deciduous forest

The understanding of belowground biodiversity is still rather incomplete and interactions between above- and belowground systems have rarely been looked at when explaining belowground biodiversity patterns. The present study presents results of the influence of tree species diversity on the earthworm community in a central European deciduous mixed forest. Within the Hainich National Park three replicate sites were chosen within three levels of tree diversity ranging from one species (beech, DL1) to three species (beech, lime, ash, DL2) to five species stands (beech, lime, ash, hornbeam, maple, DL3). Earthworms were extracted by heat from soil and litter samples at four sampling dates at each site. In addition, in spring four samples per site were sorted by hand and identified to species level. Generally, earthworm densities were positively correlated with tree diversity in May and November but negatively in February. Sites with low tree species diversity had earthworm populations which were more stable due to a more permanent and deeper litter layer. Increasing proportions of high quality litter in DL2 und DL3 were correlated with higher densities of both epigeic and endogeic earthworm species, while litter in DL1 sites was mainly inhabited by epigeic species. Generally, there was a positive correlation between earthworm and tree species diversity indicating the importance of diverse food qualities for the decomposer fauna at the local scale especially in springtime. (C) 2007 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.