Multivariate analysis of soil factors shaping earthworm communities
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Department of Zoology, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
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Javaria Altaf
Department of Zoology, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
J. Ecol. Eng. 2026; 27(10):1-12
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ABSTRACT
Earthworms are key regulators of soil ecosystem and influence soil structure, nutrient dynamics, and physicochemical interactions. This study investigated the relationships between soil abiotic properties and the distribution patterns of four earthworm species (Metaphire hawayana, Metaphire posthuma, Lumbricus trapezoides, and Lumbricus rubellus) across six diverse microhabitats in Faisalabad, Pakistan. A total of 1,800 soil samples were analyzed for texture, pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, major macro and micronutrients, and other physicochemical parameters. Hierarchical cluster analysis was applied to identify patterns of association among soil variables within species-specific habitats. Distinct clusters among soil physicochemical factors, indicate clear difference in ecological preferences of earthworm species. Electrical conductivity, soil pH, moisture content, and nutrient concentrations emerged as the most important variables for species distribution in different microhabitats. Microhabitat-based redundancy analysis (RDA) further demonstrated that vegetation composition and soil characteristics contribute significantly to spatial variability in earthworm communitiesOverall, the findings highlight the strong role of soil abiotic heterogeneity in shaping earthworm distribution and community organization in agro-ecosystems. This study provides useful insights for soil quality evaluationandbiodiversity conservation for futuresustainable land-management strategies.