Abundance and Distribution Patterns of Megadrilli Earthworms at Different Altitude in Kabawetan Tea Plantation, Bengkulu

Abstract

Earthworms are an important component of natural and agricultural land ecosystems. The existence of earthworms in agricultural land can increase soil fertility and also support a sustainable agricultural system. This study aims to determine the abundance and distribution patterns of megadrilli earthworms in the Bengkulu Kabawetan Tea Plantation. Determination of the research location used the stratified sampling method which consisted of altitude strata, namely an altitude of 800, 900, and 1000 meters above sea level. The samples of earthworms were taken using the quadratic method (30 x 30 x 20 cm) and the hand sorting method as many as 15 plots for each location. The data were analyzed for population densities and distribution patterns using the Morisita Index formula. The results showed that only one species of megadrilli earthworm was found Pontoscolex corethrurus in tea plantations. The highest earthworm population density was at a location of 1000 m above sea level (89.66 individuals m -2 ), followed by a location of 900 m (70.33 individuals m -2 ), and the lowest density was at a location of 800 m (24.44 individuals m -2 ). Statistically, it showed that the densities of the earthworm population at an altitude of 1000 m and 900 m were not significantly different, but it was significantly different from an altitude of 800 m. The distribution pattern of megadrilli earthworms based on the Morisita Index value showed that the three locations have a clustered pattern.

Prevalence of Eucoleus garfiai in Wild Boars Hunted at Different Altitudes in the Campania and Latium Regions (Italy)

“…In this study, we investigated the prevalence of E. garfiai in different areas located below and above 900 m asl and the results showed a higher prevalence of E. garfiai in sampling areas located above 900 m asl. Altitude has frequently been used as a parameter for studying biodiversity richness and it was previously reported that earthworms' communities adapt well to different gradients of altitude, increasing in number and variety of population, probably due to lower anthropogenic influence and higher soil quality [48][49][50][51]. The presence of higher densities of intermediate hosts has already been linked to abundance of parasite communities [52]; therefore, we suggest that the higher prevalence of this parasite at higher altitudes could probably be connected to a higher presence of earthworms (Lumbricus spp.…”

Perbandingan Struktur Komunitas Cacing Tanah Megadrilli pada Ekosistem Alami dan Ekosistem Buatan

“…Cacing tanah dapat hidup di berbagai ekosistem terresterial, baik ekosistem alami seperti hutan hujan tropis, maupun ekosistem buatan, seperti lahan pertanian dan perkebunan (Darmi et al, 2021). Kehadiran cacing tanah pada suatu habitat sering tidak merata, tergantung pada faktor lingkungannya, seperti vegetasi, tekstur tanah, dan ketersedian makanannya (Maulida, 2015).…”

“…Metode yang digunakan dalam koleksi cacing tanah, yaitu metode kuadrat (30 x 30 x 20 cm) dan metode hand sorting (Suin, 2012). Pada setiap lokasi dibuat line transect ukuran 100 m, dan disepanjang line transect dibuat plot ukuran 30 cm x 30 cm sebanyak 20 pengulangan dengan jarak 5 m antar plot (Darmi et al, 2021). Pada setiap kuadrat tanah digali dengan kedalaman 20 cm, kemudian diletakkan pada lembaran plastik berukuran 1 x 1 m, untuk menghitung dan mengamati cacing tanah dilakukan dengan metode hand sorting (sortir dengan tangan).…”