[Relationship between Yangtze River floodplain micro ecological environment and distribution of Oncomelania hupensis snails].

Objective: To explore the relationship between the Yangtze River floodplain ecological environment (vegetation, soil, water and light intensity) and the distribution of Oncomelania hupensis snails, so as to provide the evidence for ecological snail control.

Methods: Three regions (the Lu-Gang Bridge, Dragon Nest Lake in the bund, and Dragon Nest lake beach) were selected to investigate the plant characteristics (species, height, coverage, frequency and strain of clusters), soil characteristics (temperature, humidity, light intensity) and pH value. All the results were analyzed statistically with SPSS 18 software.

Results: A total of 920 boxes were investigated. The vegetation coverage was 3.7%-63.5%, and the dominant population was Cyperusrotundus L. cluster on the marshland. The soil temperature was 19.0 degrees C-24.0 degrees C, pH 5.0-5.7, and humidity 53%-75%. There were statistical significants in average number of living snails and dead snails among 3 groups (P < 0.05). As the light intensity was strong in summer and weak in winter, the snails were in the back surface in summer and front surface in winter respectively. The average number of living snails was the most near the water. The difference was statistical significant (P < 0.01) among three ranges (0-1 m, 1-3 m and 3-5 m).

Conclusion: The snail survival and distribution have close relations with micro ecological environment factors, such as vegetation, soil, water and light intensity.