Population Dynamics of Earthworm Species Amynthas alexandri (Annelida: Megascolecidae) in Two Different Land-Use Systems of Kumaun Himalayas

Abstract

Comparative study on population dynamics of earthworm Amynthas alexandri carried out in two different land-use systems, i.e., grassland soil at Governor’s Golf field Nainital and croplands at Khurpatal and Chanfi, Nainital. Earthworms from different soil systems were collected by hand sorting and preserved in formalin for further investigations. Soil analysis revealed that the C: N ratio decreased with increasing depth in land-use systems (croplands and Grassland). The highest worm density was recorded during the rainy season in the Grassland (67.3m 2 ), followed by croplands (28.1 m-2). Biomass during the Rainy season was recorded higher in grassland soil (11.5 g m-2) than in the croplands (8.7 g m-2).