The development of earthworm populations following manipulation of the canopy leaf litter in a beechwood on limestone

摘要: In a submontane beechwood on limestone the development of earthworm populations following manipulations canopy leaf litter input was studied for 5 years. Repeated exclosure autumnal litterfall (L0) caused decline in most species. Additional four times natural rate at beginning and first year experiment (L5) resulted an overall decline, too, but epigeic species showed increase intermediate time interval. 5th annual average abundance all earthworms had decreased to 40% controls L0 70% L5, respectively