Earthworm communities (Oligochaeta: Lumbricidae) in old-growth and young forests of protected areas of the Kaluga Oblast (European Russia)

1. Lumbricidae
   rank: family
2. Aporrectodea Orley, 1885
   rank: genus
3. Aporrectodea caliginosa (Savigny, 1826)
   rank: species
4. Aporrectodea rosea (Savigny, 1826)
   rank: species
5. Lumbricus Linnaeus, 1758
   rank: genus
6. Lumbricus terrestris Linnaeus, 1758
   rank: species
7. Lumbricus rubellus Hoffmeister, 1843
   rank: species
8. Lumbricus castaneus (Savigny, 1826)
   rank: species
9. Dendrobaena octaedra (Savigny, 1826)
   rank: species
10. Octolasion lacteum Örley, 1881
    rank: species
11. Eisenia nordenskioldii subsp. nordenskioldii
    rank: subspecies

Kaluga Oblast is situated in the central part of the East European Plain. The climate is moderately continental with distinct seasons: warm and humid summers and cold winters with stable snow-cover (4-5 months). The mean annual precipitation of 600 mm and the mean annual temperature is about +4°C . The total area covered by forests is around 1,380,000 ha (46% of the oblast territory). Agricultural lands occupied an area of 1,350,000 ha (44% of the territory). Earthworms were sampled from two nature protected areas: "Kaluzhskiye Zaseki" Nature Reserve. The Reserve was established in 1992 due to the presence of unique old-growth broad-leaved forests that were mostly undisturbed by cutting and ploughing. The total area of the Reserve is 185 km2. The Reserve consists of two separate parts, 12 km apart. Sampling plots were located in both clusters. The oldest patches of broad-leaved forests are remains of defence line against the raid of nomads and was under state protection for centuries. Ugra National Park was established in 1997 to protect typical landscapes of Central Russia and became a UNESCO biosphere reserve in 2002. The National Park consists of seven clusters grouped into three areas with a total area of 986,245 sq km. This study was conducted in the Zhizdra cluster.