Long-term Dynamics of Population Parameters of the Aporrectodea caliginosa Earthworm in an Annually Flooded Alder Forests in the Voronezh Nature Reserve

Abstract

The 20-year dynamics of Aporrectodea caliginosa spring population parameters—the average density (ind./0.25 m²) and proportion of nonreproductive individuals (among earthworms found in 12 soil samples)— and the 10-year dynamics of their summer and autumn values were studied in an annually flooded alder forest in the Voronezh reserve. Three complete 3-year cycles and one complete 6-year cycle were revealed in the 20-year dynamics of spring population density. The 20-year series of average values of spring population density and proportion of nonreproductive individuals were found to be closely correlated with each other. A close correlation was also revealed between the 10-year series of summer density values and the corresponding dynamic series of summer precipitation.