Biological studies of some tussock-grassland soils

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Abstract
Earthworms were collected under tussock grassland (Festuca novae-zelandiae dominant) from a Taupo hill soil at Waiouru, a Tekoa steepland soil at Bealey and an Omarama steepland soil near Alexandra. Although the vegetation was similar at the three sites, geographical separation and differences in the history of the vegetation have been most important in influencing the earthworm fauna. Higher earthworm populations were observed beneath tussock plants than beneath shorter vegetation or bare ground between tussock plants. This is attributed to protection of the soil from frost by tussock plants. The constitution of the earthwonn fauna at each of the sites is compared with that of soils of adjacent sites; similarities and differences are noted and discussed.

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