As ecosystem engineers, earthworms play a significant role in maintaining soil health, fertility and ecosystem functioning by enhancing organic matter decomposition, nutrient cycling, and soil structure. Their diversity and distribution are shaped by land-use practices such as urbanization, agriculture, and forests. This study investigates earthworm species richness and spatial distribution across various land-use types in Hazara Division, Pakistan. Examine key ecological drivers including soil moisture, pH, organic carbon and potassium. The research explores how land-use practices affect earthworm diversity, providing insights essential for biodiversity conservation strategies in similar ecosystems. Sampling across six districts Haripur, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Kohistan, Batagram, and Tor Ghar 2697 individuals from 16 species belonging to three families: Lumbricidae, Megascolecidae, Moniligastridae. Eisenia fetida and Amynthas morrisi were the most abundant (12% each), while Drawida japonica (Gene bank ACESSION NOPV871406.1) was documented for the first time in Pakistan, highlighting the region’s unexplored biodiversity. Species richness showed a significant positive correlation with soil moisture (r = 0.472, p < 0.05) and neutral pH levels. Population densities were highest in Haripur and Mansehra, whereas Kohistan and Tor Ghar exhibited lower densities, likely due to poor soil structure and organic carbon content. The Shannon Diversity Index (H’) ranged from 2.55 in Tor Ghar to 2.61 in Kohistan, with overall earthworm abundance highest in Mansehra. Urban and industrial areas exhibited low species richness, possibly due to soil compaction and pollution. These findings highlight the ecological importance of earthworms in promoting soil health, enhancing ecosystem services, and reinforcing soil resilience amid environmental stressors.
Bibi et al. (Mon,) studied this question.