Auswirkungen von ökologisch bewirtschafteten Agroforstsystemen auf Regenwürmer

Summary

The earthworm fauna was investigated in 2011, 2013 und 2015 on two organically managed fields of agroforestry systems in Bavaria with poplar strips established in 2009. The abundance and biomass of earthworms in the field surrounding the poplar strip were more affected by different agricultural management measures and weather conditions than by the poplar strip itself. At one site the abundance of endogeic species in the soil of the poplar strip increased while the total biomass and the abundance of Lumbricus species (almost exclusively the anecic species Lumbricus
terrestris) decreased. In addition, at the same site in 2015 a lower total earthworm biomass was detected up to 10 m into the adjacent field, due to a low abundance of Lumbricus species. Therefrom varying results were obtained at the other site, collecting a higher earthworm biomass inside the poplar strip during the investigation period of one year. Influences of specific local characteristics, weather conditions, soil tillage intensity, crop rotation and predators are discussed.