Soil Attributes on Diversity Indices of Earthworm

Biological diversity is one of the functional atributes of an eco system. The nature of Soil on the diversity indices of earthworms were studied during the year 2010-2012. 168 study fields include eight stations of Theni district such as Periyakulam (S1), Theni (S2), Andipati (S3), Bodinaykanur (S4), Chinamanur (S5), Utamapalayam (S6), Kambam (S7), and Myladumparai (S8) were selected for the curent investigation. 52 species of earthworms were found in various ecosystems of al the 8 stations. Soils of the respective study areas were analyzed for their physico-chemical parameters uch as pH, Ec, N, P, K, Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu. The nature of soil related to species abundance was also analyzed using regresion analysis. It was found that he earthworm species abundance decreases with increase in the level of pH, Zn & cu. In other words they both are inversely proportional to each other. The positve sign of the coeficient of Ec, N, P, K, Fe and Mn indicates that he earthworm species abundance directly depends upon the foresaid parameters. Biodiversity of Earthworm species were studied by Shanon wiener and evenes index and was found to be greater in station 7 (Kambam).