The inoculation of Lumbricus terrestris L. in an acidic spruce forest after liming and its influence on soil properties

At a formerly limed study site in a spruce forest on acidic soil in the Solling mountains, Central Germany, adult or near adult specimens of Lumbricus terrestris were inoculated. The establishment of a reproducing population was monitored for four years. Burrowing activity was detected down to 50 cm, with locally marked incorporation of organic matter to a depth of 20 cm. Chemical changes due to lime particles were restricted to earthworm burrows and a thin surrounding soil layer. A random sample of soil cores revealed no differences in soil chemical characteristics between limed plots with or without L. terrestris.