Effects of stand-specific composition on earthworm communities in the Arboretum of Tervuren : Comparative approach between broadleaves and conifers
Details
- Supervisors
- Faculty
- Degree label
- Abstract
- As temperate forests face the growing pressures of climate change, their resilience is becoming a major issue. In this context, understanding the interactions between vegetation, soil, and soil fauna, particularly earthworms, is crucial. As ecosystem engineers, earthworms influence the fertility and structure of forest soils, thus affecting their capacity to store carbon. Previous studies have already focused on the effects of tree species and soil parameters on earthworms. However, only a few have explored the differences between conifers and broadleaves, and the number of tree species considered was often low. Furthermore, the unique set-up of the Arboretum of Tervuren allows for comparisons between a broad range of tree species, native and exotic, growing under similar site conditions. The aim was to assess how different tree species, broadleaves and conifers, influence the composition, abundance, and biomass of earthworm communities via their effects on leaf litterfall, microclimate, and soil properties. Even though the results showed no statistical difference between the two groups, they revealed that tree species identity seemed to matter more than broad classification. Species-specific traits, particularly those influencing calcium and aluminum availability, appeared to drive earthworm responses. The removal of a coniferous species, Calocedrus decurrens, leading to a statistical difference in the biomass, and the variability of litter and soil properties across species highlight the complexity of these interactions. Due to limitations in sampling size and period, future studies should include more tree species, mixed stands, and extended sampling periods to capture temporal and spatial dynamics.