Effect of ecological factors on the distribution of earthworms in Baghdad

Abstract

Monthly earthworm samples were collected from four sites in the vicinity of Baghdad. The sites
included citrus and palm orchard, vegetable field, Tigris river bank and a house garden. Records of soil
temperature, PH, moisture, texture and organic matter content were also measured at all sampling sites.
Soil temperature ranged between 10C° to 43C° as recorded during February and August respectively.
Values of PH have ranged between 4.4 to 6.5. Soil moisture and Organic matter content were highest in
river bank’s samples, 66.6% and 3.82% respectively. However, lowest soil moisture and organic matter
percentage were 25.21% and 2.30% recorded at the vegetable field and the palm orchard respectively. All
sites were characterized by loamy acidic reactive soils.