Effect of climate and plant succession on lumbricid populations in the French Alps

The purpose of this study was to describe earthworm associations in different alpine biotopes. Lumbricid distribution was studied between the altitudes 1000 m and 1380 m high, after recording several environmental factors. Earthworm species were sampled in three different successional stages during two seasons and under four climatic situations. The ecological effect of afforestation on earthworms populations was studied, comparing different tree species on a similar substrate. In this paper, information is given on the description of earthworm species associations. The main factors affecting lumbricid distribution, such as climate, soil moisture and litter quality, are discussed.