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Earthworm assemblages on afforested colliery spoil heaps as affected by tree species
Pižl, Václav
Earthworm assemblages were analysed at twenty-eight colliery spoil heap sites of similar age located in the Sokolov open-cast coal mining district, north-western Bohemia, Czech Republic. Sites afforested with different tree species, namely spruce, pine, larch, oak, lime, and alder, were selected for the study in four replicates each, and compared with un-reclaimed sites covered with spontaneously developed vegetation. No difference was found in the density of earthworms between un-reclaimed sites and coniferous stands, however, a significant effect of tree species on worm density was observed at sites with deciduous afforestation. Dense earthworm populations developed in alder and lime plantations, while worm density was significantly lower under oak. Similarly, earthworm biomass at sites with coniferous afforestation did not differ from that of un-reclaimed heaps and was significantly lower than those at sites with deciduous afforestation.
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