In the Netherlands, wetland restoration projects involve the rewetting of former agricultural grasslands, where low water levels are artificially maintained (polders). We studied the effects of rewetting on the enchytraeid community in grasslands on acid peat soil (pH = 3.7). Rewetting was established by hydrologically isolating the restoration areas from the polders. After isolation, the natural seepage conditions of the area caused a clear rise in the groundwater level. At the same time,

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... se of the different quality of the seepage water, the soil pH rose to 5.2-6.7. Sampling was carried out in 2002, four years after the start of the project. It was found that differences in the total abundance and biomass between the enchytraeid communities were not significant. However, there were clear changes in the species composition and diversity. The control site was dominated by Cognettia sphagnetorum, and the rewetted sites by Fridericia species (notably F. galba and F. perrieri). The diversity was clearly higher in the rewetted sites. In general, the depth distribution of enchytraeid species was not affected by rewetting, Marionina argentea being a notable exception.