Abundance of earthworm species in Estonian arable soils

Specific composition of earthworm community has indicative value for evaluating the impact of agricultural practice on soil. The occurrence of species only like Aporrectodea caliginosa, Aporrectodea rosea, Lumbricus rubellus tolerant to disturbance is the result of intensive tillage and agricultural practice or the influence of strong limiting ecological factor. A community including more sensitive species Lumbricus terrestris and Aporrectodea longa, or the most sensitive species Allolobophora chlorotica and Lumbricus castaneus, indicates more favourable conditions of habitat.