The relationships between earthworms distrubution with environmental factors and vegetation in Kütahya-Akdağ region

Identified as ecosystem engineers, earthworms are extremely important creatures on the forest ecosystem with positive effects. However, there is no sufficient number of comprehensive works done on the ecology of earthworms in our country. Therefore, this study was carried out to specify the relationships between the distribution of earthworms in Kütahya-Akdağ region and vegetation and environmental factors. In the study, earthworms (handsorting, 50x50x30 cm), vegetation (Braun-Blanquet, 20x20 m) and soil inventory (0-10-30 cm) were made in 59 points and the environmental factors were measured. The data obtained was transferred to the computer and 3 main data matrices belonging to earthworms, vegetation and environmental factors were composed. They were arranged for analyses. The relations between the distribution of earthworms and vegetation and environmental factors were examined by correlation analysis, interspecific correlation analysis, clustering analysis, Kruskal-Wallis test, multi-response permutation procedures analysis and canonical correlation analysis. As a result of the study, Fagus orientalis species was determined as the positive indicator for the existence of earthworms in Akdağ region. Important relationships between earthworms and measured environmental parameters, such as soil moisture, pH, soil stoniness, soil depth, slope, soil texture, organic matter content, bedrock type, annual rainfall, ruggedness index, moisture index, temperature load index and shading index, were determined. It was also specified that these parameters are effective in the distribution of earthworms. Further studies are needed to address the lack of information on this topic. Key Words: Kütahya, Earthworm Diversity, Canonical correspondance analysis, Shannon-Wiener index, Forest ecosystem, Biodiversity 2020, 187 pages