Influence of land-use type on earthworm diversity and distribution in Yunnan: Insights from soil properties

This study explores the soil biodiversity and distribution of earthworms in Yunnan Province. Employing a quadrat survey method, the province was divided into six climate types, among which four representative land-use types (arable land, wasteland, grassland, and garden) were selected for sampling of earthworms and soil. In total, 1984 earthworm individuals were gathered from 148 plots, representing 27 species occurrences across four families, with Moniligastridae being dominant. The present study emphasized that different land use modes can affect the distribution of earthworm communities; there are differences in soil physical and chemical properties under different land use types; therefore, various land use modes can further affect the density and biomass of earthworms by influencing soil physical and chemical properties. Soil properties such as SOM, TN, TK, and OP significantly affect earthworm communities. For example, SOM had a significant positive correlation with earthworm density in Wasteland and Arable land and a significant positive correlation with earthworm biomass in Grassland and Garden; in addition, soil temperature and TK content had a significant negative correlation with earthworm density in Garden. This study provides data support for understanding earthworm species diversity and its spatial distribution characteristics in Yunnan Province. It gives a scientific basis for further discussion of the influence of land use on soil fauna conservation and its ecological functions. • Different land use types affect the distribution of earthworms by affecting soil physicochemical properties. • The wasteland that is least affected by human interference has the highest number and density of earthworms. • SOM, TN, TK, and OP have a significant impact on the distribution of earthworms.