Journal of Environmental Biology

Earthworms in soil carbon conservation under forest, pasture and rubber plantations

P.S. Chaudhuri* and B. Debbarma     

Earthworm Research Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Tripura University, Suryamaninagar-799 022, India

Received: 15 January 2025                   Revised: 31 March 2025                   Accepted: 30 May 2025

*Corresponding Author Email : drpsc1957@gmail.com                  *ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8906-0306

Abstract

Aim: The present study of one year duration was conducted to find out the role of earthworms in soil carbon conservation in three land use systems viz. forest, pasture and rubber plantations.

Methodology: Adult earthworm species were inoculated in experimental quadrats (WE i.e. with earthworm) based on their dominance observed in the forest (Drawida assamensis), pasture (Lampito mauritii), and rubber plantation (Pontoscolex corethrurus). Control (NE i.e. no earthworm) quadrats were made free of earthworms.

Results: A significant increase in SOC (%) was observed in WE quadrats from 3 months onwards in the soils of forest (1.91±0.1 at the end of the experiment) compared to the NE (1.46±0.03). In case of rubber plantation, an increase in SOC was observed during 9th and 12th month, and in the pasture a significant increase of SOC in WE was found only in the 12th month. An increase in total N (%) and microbial biomass carbon (μg g^-1) were also observed in the WE soils. The forest WE soil with high SOC stock (27.56±1.95 ton ha-1) exhibited the highest carbon sequestration rate (2.07 ton ha^-1).

Interpretation: The present study revealed that earthworms’ effect on SOC depends on the type of land use system with the relative abundance of the earthworm species, types of litter input etc. Notably, in the forest land use systems, earthworms play a significant role in soil carbon conservation from 3 months onwards. This finding highlights the importance of afforestation for enhancing SOC stocks. However, long-term studies are needed to further confirm earthworms’ role in carbon sequestration in different land use systems. Such study will indicate land use management policies in different agro-ecosystems for studying the role of earthworms in SOC conservation and carbon sequestration in the long run.

Key words: Earthworm, Land use system, Rubber plantations, SOC sequestration

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