Earthworm populations in a traditional village landscape in Central Himalaya, India

► Density/biomass of earthworms assessed in a range of land uses in Himalaya. ► Only 1 of the 8 species showed insignificant effect of season on population size. ► Land conversion increased density/biomass but not species richness/composition. ► Rehabilitation only partly recuperated soil organic carbon and earthworm diversity. ► SOC explained around 60% of the variation in total density/biomass of earthworms.