Influence of the Invasive Earthworm Eisenia nana (Lumbricidae) on the Content of Water-Soluble Forms of Cations (NH4+, K+, Na+, Mg2+, Ca2+) in Soil

Using a field simulation experiment in mesocosms, the influence of epi-endogeic earthworms was assessed, invasive E. nana and native E. nordenskioldi (in monopopulations and when kept together), on the availability of cations (NH4+, K+, Na+, Mg2+, Ca2+) in soil. A significant effect of both species on the increase in the content of sodium ions in the 10–15 cm soil layer relative to the control without worms, differences between the E. nana and E. nordenskioldi monovariants in the content of magnesium and calcium ions in the 0–5 cm layer, and a significant effect of the interaction of species on an increase in the availability of ammonium in the 20–30 cm layer.