From mowing to grazing: Does the change in grassland management affect soil annelid assemblages?

In 2004–2005, the effect of grazing on soil annelid assemblages (Lumbricidae, Enchytraeidae, Tubificidae, Aeolosomatidae) was studied in the White Carpathians (Czechia), based on three pairs of sites (mown meadow vs. pasture grazed by sheep or cattle). Lumbricid densities and biomass as well as the representation of epigeic species were substantially lower in the grazed sites, while species numbers (6–8 per site) showed no difference. No clear effect was shown for enchytraeids and the other small annelids (39 species in total, four new for Czechia).