Distributional characteristics of earthworms and other mesofaunal invertebrates in Tra Bong district, Quang Ngai province

Abstract

Abstract: Earthworms and other mesofauna invertebrates distribute in a wide range of habitats within the study area. Result from our study indicated that invertebrates of the study area are mostly common in gardens with a density of 34,46 individual per square meter and rarely found in hilly soil habitats. The density and biomass of soil invertebrates decreased from the elevation of 100 m to over 600 m. In the elevation of under 100m, the density and biomass of these animals were the highest (45,15 individual/m²; 28,67 g/m²), and the lowest in over 600 m (4,84 individuals/m²; 20,12g/m²). The distribution of mesofauna groups were different in soil depth. The density and biomass were the highest in the depth of 0-10 cm, and the lowest in a depth of over 20 cm (6,93 individual/m²; 2,32g/m²).