Abundance and Distribution Patterns of Megadrilli Earthworms at Different Altitude in Kabawetan Tea Plantation, Bengkulu

Abstract

Earthworms are an important component of natural and agricultural land ecosystems. The existence of earthworms in agricultural land can increase soil fertility and also support a sustainable agricultural system. This study aims to determine the abundance and distribution patterns of megadrilli earthworms in the Bengkulu Kabawetan Tea Plantation. Determination of the research location used the stratified sampling method which consisted of altitude strata, namely an altitude of 800, 900, and 1000 meters above sea level. The samples of earthworms were taken using the quadratic method (30 x 30 x 20 cm) and the hand sorting method as many as 15 plots for each location. The data were analyzed for population densities and distribution patterns using the Morisita Index formula. The results showed that only one species of megadrilli earthworm was found Pontoscolex corethrurus in tea plantations. The highest earthworm population density was at a location of 1000 m above sea level (89.66 individuals m), followed by a location of 900 m (70.33 individuals m), and the lowest density was at a location of 800 m (24.44 individuals m). Statistically, it showed that the densities of the earthworm population at an altitude of 1000 m and 900 m were not significantly different, but it was significantly different from an altitude of 800 m. The distribution pattern of megadrilli earthworms based on the Morisita Index value showed that the three locations have a clustered pattern.