Do Soil Conditions Affect Earthworm Species Composition?

Janelle Harris

Department of Biological Sciences

Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Jane Wolfson and Dr. Katalin Szlavecz, Johns Hopkins University

(2004)

Urbanization affects the environment which in turn can affect soil conditions. Earthworms are macroinvertebrates that are sensitive to soil conditions; therefore, different earthworm species may thrive better in different soil conditions. To test if soil conditions affect or determine species composition, a field study was conducted in a suburban neighborhood in Northern Baltimore. Earthworms were collected from different land uses with different soil conditions and expelled from the ground using a mustard solution. They were then identified by species and preserved. Temperature, moisture, and pH measurements were collected for each land use to determine the soil types. Species composition varied within different land uses. Some species dominated specific land uses. Further studies will be conducted to test why certain species inhabit certain soil types.

Links

Updated July 9, 2004