C and N concentrations in biogenic structures of a soil-feeding termite and a fungus-growing ant in the Colombian savannas

Soil ecosystem engineers such as termites and ants are able to modify physico-chemically the surrounding environment through the production of biogenic structures, thus affecting the availability of trophic and spatial resources for other organisms. The aim of this study was to assess the concentrations of C_org, NH₄⁺ and NO₃⁻ in the biogenic structures produced by a soil-feeding termite (Spinitermes sp.; Termitinae) and a fungus-grower ant species (Atta laevigata; Myrmicinae; tribe Attini) and the surrounding soil in the Colombian “Llanos”. We tested the hypothesis that higher concentrations occur in the biogenic structures compared to control soil and that deposition of new building material at the top of the biogenic structures also increases nutrient concentrations. Sampling was conducted along a transect, at regular intervals proportional to the size of the biogenic structure. Average C_org and NH₄⁺ concentrations were significantly higher in termite mounds than in ant nests and the control soil, whereas NO₃⁻ concentrations were similar. For both types of biogenic structures, the highest difference in nutrient concentrations was found between the top centre of the biogenic structure and the control soil, but significant differences were only reported for Spinitermes mounds and the control soil. No significant effect of land use on nutrient concentrations in the biogenic structures produced by either species was observed. We conclude that the activities of soil ecosystem engineers contribute to the variability of nutrient concentrations through the formation of biogenic structures.     

What happens to earthworm casts in the soil? A field study of carbon and nitrogen dynamics in Neotropical savannahs

In the Oxisols of the eastern plains of Colombia, the large native anecic earthworm Martiodrilus sp. is an abundant ecosystem engineer producing long-lasting casts and burrows. Casts deposited in the soil by this species have been estimated at several tonnes per hectare per year. The physical and chemical processes occurring in these casts have never been studied. In this study, we compared the dynamics of water content (WC), total C (C_tot), and available N (N_avail) contents, and the distribution in size of aggregates in ageing below-ground casts of this species and in the bulk soil. In a native herbaceous savannah and a sown grass/legume pasture (Brachiaria humidicola, Arachis pintoi, Desmodium ovalifolium and Stylosanthes capitata), fresh surface casts were experimentally injected into artificial burrows of 1 cm Ø and 10 cm depth and sampled at different dates during a total period of 120 days. The injection procedure used resulted in a 34% decrease in WC of the casts from the sown pasture and reduced the mean mass diameter (MMD) of the aggregates of casts from the savannah by 19%. Other properties were not significantly affected by the procedure.For injected casts in both grasslands, MMD and C_tot were stable during cast ageing while WC and N_avail were initially at levels several times higher than the bulk soil and decreased to similar bulk soil values with ageing. The C_tot was twice and one third higher in casts compared with the bulk soil in the pasture and the savannah, respectively. Overall means for cast MMD (8.3 and 7.4 mm) were twice as high as those in the bulk soil (3.8 mm) in the savannah and the pasture, respectively. However, MMD was not significantly different between the casts and the bulk soil in two occasions in the pasture. Available nitrogen (N_avail) in injected casts was initially greater than bulk soil levels, reaching maximum levels just after injection (116 and 93 mg kg⁻¹) and remained significantly greater during 1-2 weeks, in the savannah and the pasture, respectively. In conclusion, the tonnes of casts deposited in the soil profile by Martiodrilus sp. each year are likely to contribute greatly to plant nutrition and to the regulation of the soil structure. For each anecic earthworm species, the ecological impact of its below-ground casts is likely to be as important as its surface casts.     

Stable isotope N and C labelling of different functional groups of earthworms and their casts: A tool for studying trophic links

Earthworms (Oligochaeta: Lumbricidae) have substantial effects on the structure and fertility of soils with consequences for the diversity of plant communities and associated ecosystem functions. However, we still lack a clear understanding of the functional role earthworms play in terrestrial ecosystems, partly because easy-to-use methods to quantify their activities are missing. In this study, we tested whether earthworms and their casts can be dual-labelled with ¹⁵N and ¹³C stable isotopes by cultivating them in soil substrate amended with ¹⁵N ammonium nitrate and ¹³C-glucose. Additionally, we also wanted to know whether (i) earthworms from different functional groups (soil-feeders vs. litter-feeders) and their casts would differ in their incorporation of stable isotopes, (ii) if enrichment levels are higher if the same amount of isotopes is applied in one dose or in staggered doses, and (iii) if isotopic enrichment in casts changes when they are stored in a conditioning cabinet or in a pot filled with soil placed in a greenhouse. Our findings show the feasibility of dual-labelling tissues and casts of both litter-feeding (Lumbricus terrestris) and soil-feeding (Aporrectodea caliginosa) earthworms using the same method. The advantage of this method is that earthworms and their casts can be labelled under realistic conditions by cultivating them for only four days in soil that received a one-time addition of commercially available stable isotopes instead of offering labelled plant material. In earthworms, the isotopic enrichment remained at a stable level for at least 21 days; labelled casts could be stored for at least 105 days without significantly decreasing their isotopic signals. This simple and efficient method opens new avenues for studying the role of these important ecosystem engineers in nutrient cycling and their functional relationships with other organisms.     

Physico-chemical typology of the biogenic structures of termites and earthworms: a comparative analysis

A comparative analysis of 14 physico-chemical and organic parameters was conducted on three types of biogenic structures: earthworm casts and crop sheetings built by two fungus-growing termites (Ancistrotermes guineensis and Odontotermes nilensis) and compared to the neighbouring soil in a mango orchard in the Thiès region of Senegal. A principal component analysis shows clearly that the biogenic structures were differentiated from the neigbhouring soils in their content of organic components. The amino sugar contents of biogenic structures were 3-5 times higher than those measured in soil. In these structures, an increase in the contents of phenols and proteins was also observed. In contrast, their physical and chemical characteristics (texture, cationic exchanges capacity) were little different from those of the soil with the exception of their much lower water-retention capacity. Differences were also noted between the biogenic structures: the structures built by the two species of termite show more similarities with each other than with the casts. This result was confirmed by a similarity dendrogram which was used to graduate oppositions between samples. Casts were different from termite sheetings primarily in their C and N contents which were twice as high. Conversely, the contents of proteins in termite sheetings were higher than those measured in casts. Altogether, the results suggest that, in the biogenic structures, the organic content is stored and protected from mineralization.     

Abundance of biogenic structures of earthworms and termites in a mango orchard

A comparative study of the spatial distributions and the quantity of biogenic structures produced by earthworms and termites (Odontotermes nilensis and Ancistrotermes guineensis) has been conducted in a mango orchard at Thiès (Senegal).This study showed that surface biogenic structures may represent a large amount of modified soil (up to 536.5 g m⁻²) which vary depending upon the seasons and the species. Whilst the quantity of casts was independent on the season (178.6 g m⁻²), O. nilensis sheetings fluctuated with the seasons. In addition, we show that the spatial organisation of surface biogenic structures fluctuates with seasons. It displays patches ranging from 5 to 15 m. There is a link between the distribution of earthworm casts and the vegetation. In addition, spatial distribution was also linked to the biology of constructing species. We observed that the A. guineensis’ filling structures were mainly located under the mango trees during the dry season where the stems and the brushwoods were abundant. It appears that the spatio-temporal distribution of the biogenic structures under study depended upon two main factors: season and vegetation. However, depending upon the biology of the engineer, these two factors influenced the spatial distribution of structures in different ways.     

Earthworms disseminate a soil-borne plant pathogen,Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. raphani

Radish plants infested with a soil-borne plant pathogen, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. raphani PEG-4, which is resistant to hygromycin B, were placed on the surface of a soil microcosm containing earthworms (Pheretima sp.). The earthworms ate the radish plants and scattered individual casts everywhere in the burrows. The fungal propagules were detected in the gut of the earthworms and in 26 out of 28 casts. These results suggested that the pathogen could survive passage through the alimentary canal of the earthworms and be disseminated anywhere earthworms wandered. The collected casts were incubated in a moist chamber at 28°C for 14 days, which resulted in a decline in the number of the propagules. The effects of the earthworms on the population dynamics of the pathogen were estimated. The earthworms seemed to cause a decline in total propagules of the pathogen in soil, although they expanded its distribution in soil.     

The earthworm (Aporrectodea caliginosa) primes the release of mobile and available micronutrients in soil

The objectives of our study were to quantify the impact of endogeic earthworms Aporrectodea caliginosa (Savigny) on iron (Fe), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) mobility and availability in soil. Dried rye straw (Cecale cereale L.), clover aboveground parts (Trifolium pratense L.) or calcium carbonate were added to determine the effects on soil micronutrient mobility. To test the importance of soil–water saturation mediated by earthworms, soil samples were modified to 60% (control) and 100% (as in casts) water holding capacity (WHC). To assess availability of micronutrients, a cucumber plant (Cucumis sativus L.) bioassay were used. Earthworm casts had generally higher amounts of water-soluble micronutrients compared with bulk soils regardless of their moisture contents. The increased micronutrient mobility was more pronounced in casts from soil samples amended with plant residues (especially with straw) and was significantly higher than mobility in control soil for at least 1 week after the casts were deposited. Pre-incubation of soils amended with clover or straw with living earthworms for 4 weeks produced an increase in both shoot biomass and translocation rate of micronutrients (Mn, Zn) into xylem sap of cucumber compared to soils not worked by earthworms. The earthworm-mediated plant performances were determined 4 weeks after the earthworms were removed. The results demonstrated that earthworms can significantly impact the formation of mobile and available micronutrients in a soil. The relationship between micronutrient availability to cucumber plants and earthworm contribution to nitrogen (N) mineralization and micronutrient mobility are discussed.     

Short-range spatial variability of soil physico-chemical variables related to earthworm clustering in a neotropical gallery forest

In this study, we investigated the spatial distribution of an earthworm community together with the heterogeneity of selected soil properties in a gallery forest (GF) of the Colombian “Llanos”. We performed fine-scale spatial variability by intensively sampling 100 points distributed in the nodes of a regular grid with 5 m inter-sample distance. Non-parametric statistics were used and included SADIE analysis and partial Mantel test, in addition to geostatistics (semi-variograms) and correlogram computation. Our results indicated that the spatial distribution of earthworms was characterized by areas of presence (patches) and absence (gaps), although the general pattern was random at the scale of this study (<5 m), while soil physico-chemical characteristics showed a clumped spatial distribution. Contrary to previous results reported for the nearby savanna, a significant spatial association was found for two competing endogeic species Andiodrilus sp. and Glossodrilus sp. in the GF. Semi-variograms of soil environmental factors were adjusted to model families most commonly used (spherical and linear), and correlograms for earthworms showed significant positive and negative spatial autocorrelation for lag distances <15 m and >30 m, respectively. Partial Mantel test revealed specific significant relationships between soil variables and some species. The earthworm community of the GF displayed a random structure in a spatially clumped soil environment, and our results suggested that spatial distribution observed for some species could be the result of preferential selection of soil environmental factors. In other words, soil heterogeneity contributed to the formation of population patches for some earthworm species. The variability of suitable sites (resource availability patchiness) exerted an influence in the spatial distribution of earthworms at the scale used in this study, and we identified the spatial scale at which both environmental heterogeneity could influence and express earthworm impact on soil properties.     

High performance liquid chromatography studies on the polysaccharides in the walls of the mounds of two species of termite in Senegal,Cubitermes oculatus and Macrotermes subhyalinus: their origin and contribution to structural stability

 The origin, nature and quantity of polysaccharides in the walls of the epigeal mounds of a species of soil-feeding termite, Cubitermes oculatus, and a fungus-growing termite, Macrotermes subhyalinus, found in Senegal, and of soil not considered to be under the influence of termites, were studied to obtain a clearer picture of the structural stability of these materials. The compounds were extractedand analysed by high performance liquid chromatography. We found that the walls of mounds made by soil-feeding species were very rich in sugars soluble in aqueous acid or hot water. Most of the sugars originated from cellulose and hemicellulose, and only a small proportion from microorganisms. There were also significant amounts of stachyose in the mound walls and in the reference soil. This sugar was probably formed by the surrounding vegetation, which was mainly leguminous crops. Comparison of the mineral and organic-mineral particle sizes of samples confirmed that the walls of soil-feeding termite mounds where there is the greatest redistribution of clay have the best aggregating capacity. The results therefore show that the polysaccharides in mound walls of soil-feeding termites are mostly of plant origin. Their influence on the stability of these structure is discussed. The walls of fungus-growing termite mounds contain little organic matter and hence low levels of polysaccharides, which are mainly of plant origin. Received: 19 July 1999     

Subsurface earthworm casts can be important soil microsites specifically influencing the growth of grassland plants

Earthworms (Annelida: Oligochaeta) deposit several tons per hectare of casts enriched in nutrients and/or arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and create a spatial and temporal soil heterogeneity that can play a role in structuring plant communities. However, while we begin to understand the role of surface casts, it is still unclear to what extent plants utilize subsurface casts. We conducted a greenhouse experiment using large mesocosms (volume 45 l) to test whether (1) soil microsites consisting of earthworm casts with or without AMF (four Glomus taxa) affect the biomass production of 11 grassland plant species comprising the three functional groups grasses, forbs, and legumes, (2) different ecological groups of earthworms (soil dwellers—Aporrectodea caliginosa vs. vertical burrowers—Lumbricus terrestris) alter potential influences of soil microsites (i.e., four earthworms × two subsurface microsites × two AMF treatments). Soil microsites were artificially inserted in a 25-cm depth, and afterwards, plant species were sown in a regular pattern; the experiment ran for 6 months. Our results show that minute amounts of subsurface casts (0.89 g kg^?1 soil) decreased the shoot and root production of forbs and legumes, but not that of grasses. The presence of earthworms reduced root biomass of grasses only. Our data also suggest that subsurface casts provide microsites from which root AMF colonization can start. Ecological groups of earthworms did not differ in their effects on plant production or AMF distribution. Taken together, these findings suggest that subsurface earthworm casts might play a role in structuring plant communities by specifically affecting the growth of certain functional groups of plants.     

Physical, chemical and phosphatase activities characteristics in soil-feeding termite nests and tropical rainforest soils

Little is known about the relationship between soil biological function and the physical and chemical characteristics of soil-feeding termite nests in the Lopé tropical rainforest (Gabon). We compared nine soil-feeding termite nests of Cubitermes of different ages (fresh to mature to old) and six surrounding soils that originated from three forests differing with respect to age and vegetative cover according to 14 physical and chemical variables and acid (pH 4) and alkaline (pH 9) phosphatase activities. Physical and chemical variables of the studied samples were influenced by the three factors tested: (1) forest age, (2) termite activity (nest versus soil), (3) termite nest age. Soils from the gallery forest were strongly discriminated from all the other soils studied notably due to their high organic matter contents. All mature nests showed significant increases in K, P, clay and fine silt, pH, and cationic exchange capacity compared to soils. Some nests also had increased amounts of organic matter and larger water retention capacities. Moreover, we observed that with age the termite nests possessed decreased values of these variables from fresh to mature to old. Likewise, phosphatase activities also differed according to the three factors tested. Due to its high organic matter contents, the highest phosphatase activities were noted in the gallery forest. Within each forest, phosphatase activities decreased in mature nests compared to soils and tended to be higher in fresh nests compared to mature nests. These differences might be due to an inhibition by high inorganic P contents, as mature nests were enriched in this element and to the quality of organic matter as nests are built with termite faeces. Termite activity has an important role in influencing physical and chemical variables and phosphatase activities.     

Survival of bacteria introduced into soil by means of transport by Lumbricus rubellus

Four strains of bacteria, Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar trifolii, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Pseudomonas cepacia, and Flavobacterium sp., were introduced into loamy sand and then transported by earthworms of the species Lumbricus rubellus to uninoculated soil. Cell densities recovered from the earthworm gut and casts (both expressed per gram dry material) were significantly lower (up to 3 log units) than cell densities recovered from the inoculated soil. Total bacterial counts in casts were similar to those in the inoculated soil. In casts excreted into a sterile environment numbers of colony-forming units (CFU) increased, suggesting a favourable environment for growth. In casts excreted in a non-sterile environment, cell densities of introduced strains decreased. Casts therefore did not offer the introduced bacteria a protective micro-environment for survival in the bulk soil. Transport by worms of R. leguminosarum biovar trifolii and of P. fluorescens appeared to occur mostly by means of cast production; with the Flavobacterium sp. and P. cepacia a large proportion of the cells was possibly transported on the skin of earthworms.     

Changes in nutrient pools,microbial biomass and microbial activity in soils after transit through the gut of three endogeic earthworm species of the genus Postandrilus Qui and Bouché, 1998

Purpose

Endogeic earthworms play a significant role in biogeochemical cycles due to the large amount of soil they ingest, and because after transit through their guts, casts usually show differences in nutrient contents and microbial populations with bulk soil. Here, we studied how three endogeic earthworm species, Postandrilus majorcanus, Postandrilus sapkarevi and Postandrilus palmensis, inhabiting soils in Majorca island (Balearic Islands, W Mediterranean), modify nutrient pools and microbial communities of soil.

Materials and methods

To do this, we analysed C, N and P pools, microbial biomass (phospholipid fatty acids, PLFA) and microbial activity (fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis, FDA) in paired samples of bulk soil and fresh casts.

Results and discussion

The mineral and organic N contents were generally enhanced in casts produced by all three earthworm species. However, inorganic P and organic C contents were only higher in P. sapkarevi (32 %, only P) and P. majorcanus casts (100 % for both soil nutrient pools) than in bulk soil. Bacterial and fungal biomass were only higher than in bulk soil in P. majorcanus casts (65 and 100 %, respectively), but without effects on microbial activity, that was lower in P. palmensis casts (26 %). Earthworm gut transit strongly influenced the soil microbial community structure, resulting in differences between casts and soils.

Conclusions

The increased nutrient mineralization (6-, 1.3- and 1.4-fold for N, C and P, respectively) in casts produced by these earthworm species is of particular importance because of the amount of casts released and the seasonal variations in earthworm activity, which may favour plant growth.     

The fate of catechol in soil as affected by earthworms and clay

The effect of endogeic earthworms (Octolasion tyrtaeum) and the availability of clay (Montmorillonite) on the mobilization and stabilization of uniformly ¹⁴C-labelled catechol mixed into arable and forest soil was investigated in a short- and a long-term microcosm experiment. By using arable and forest soil the effect of earthworms and clay in soils differing in the saturation of the mineral matrix with organic matter was investigated. In the short-term experiment microcosms were destructively sampled when the soil had been transformed into casts. In the long-term experiment earthworm casts produced during 7 days and non-processed soil were incubated for three further months. Production of CO₂ and ¹⁴CO₂ were measured at regular intervals. Accumulation of ¹⁴C in humic fractions (DOM, fulvic acids, humic acids and humin) of the casts and the non-processed soil and incorporation of ¹⁴C into earthworm tissue were determined.Incorporation of ¹⁴C into earthworm tissue was low, with 0.1 and 0.44% recovered in the short- and long-term experiment, respectively, suggesting that endogeic earthworms preferentially assimilate non-phenolic soil carbon. Cumulative production of CO₂-C was significantly increased in casts produced from the arable soil, but lower in casts produced from the forest soil; generally, the production of CO₂-C was higher in forest than in arable soil. Both soils differed in the pattern of ¹⁴CO₂-C production; initially it was higher in the forest soil than in the arable soil, whereas later the opposite was true. Octolasion tyrtaeum did not affect ¹⁴CO₂-C production in the forest soil, but increased it in the arable soil early in the experiment; clay counteracted this effect. Clay and O. tyrtaeum did not affect integration of ¹⁴C into humic fractions of the forest soil. In contrast, in the arable soil O. tyrtaeum increased the amount of ¹⁴C in the labile fractions, whereas clay increased it in the humin fraction.The results indicate that endogeic earthworms increase microbial activity and thus mineralization of phenolic compounds, whereas clay decreases it presumably by binding phenolic compounds to clay particles when passing through the earthworm gut. Endogeic earthworms and clay are only of minor importance for the fate of catechol in soils with high organic matter, clay and microbial biomass concentrations, but in contrast affect the fate of phenolic compounds in low clay soils.     

Impact of a soil feeding termite,<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Cubitermes niokoloensis</Emphasis>, on the symbiotic microflora associated with a fallow leguminous plant<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Crotalaria ochroleuca</Emphasis>

The influence of a soil-feeding termite nest (Cubitermes nikoloensis) on the development of a symbiotic microflora (rhizobia, arbuscular mycorrhizas) was tested in a pot experiment with a tropical legume (Crotalaria ochroleuca). Our results confirmed the role of soil-feeding termite nests as sites of high nutrient concentration, as a significantly higher content of available P and mineral-N was found in the mound wall. Arbuscular mycorrhizal spores increased in the soil near the termite mound. The mound soil itself almost totally depressed mycorrhizal establishment. The positive effect of the soils close to the mound was also evidenced by the number of nodules per root system as well as the nodule biomass per legume plant grown on this medium. Better growth of Crotalaria seedlings was observed in the soils from the mound wall; the shoot biomass increased by a factor of 9 and the root biomass by a factor of 6 as compared to the control soil (10 m away from the mound). Plant growth on soils from the immediate vicinity of the mound showed intermediate results but a higher N content per biomass unit. This probably reflected the association with arbuscular mycorrhiza and rhizobia. This work evidenced the linkage of plant nutrition to nutrient availability in mound material and the indirect mediating effect of the symbiotic microflora.     

Earthworm activities and the soil system

Summary Earthworms find in soil the energy, nutrient resources, water and buffered climatic conditions that they need. According to the food resource they exploit and the general environmental conditions, earthworms can be grouped into different functional categories which differ essentially in morphology, size, pigmentation, distribution in the soil profile, ability to dig galleries and produce surface casts, demographic profiles and relationships with the soil microflora. Soil characteristics are both the determinant and the consequence of earthworm activities, since these animals greatly influence the functioning of the soil system. When present, they build and maintain the soil structure and take an active part in energy and nutrient cycling through the selective activation of both mineralization and humification processes. By their physical activities and resultant chemical effects, earthworms promote short and rapid cycles of nutrients and assimilable carbohydrates. Thus earthworms represent a key component in the biological strategies of nutrient cycling in soils and the structure of their communities gives a clear indication of the type of soil system that they inhabit.     

The effect of two endogeic earthworm species on zinc distribution and availability in artificial soil columns

The objective of this study was to determine the impact of earthworm bioturbation on the distribution and availability of zinc in the soil profile.Experiments were carried out with Allolobophora chlorotica and Aporrectodea caliginosa in 24 perspex columns (∅ 10 cm), filled with 20-23 cm non-polluted soil (OM 2%, clay 2.9%, pH 0.01 M CaCl₂ 6.4), that was covered by a 3-5 cm layer of aged zinc spiked soil (500 mg Zn/kg dry soil) and another 2 cm non-polluted soil on top. After 80 and 175 days, columns were sacrificed and each cm from the top down to a depth of 15 cm was sampled. Earthworm casts, placed on top of the soil, were collected. Each sample was analyzed for total and CaCl₂-exchangeable zinc concentrations.Effects of earthworm bioturbation were most pronounced after 175 days. For A. chlorotica, total and CaCl₂-exchangeable zinc concentrations in the polluted layers were lower with than without earthworms. Total zinc concentrations in the non-polluted layers were higher in columns with earthworms. Casts of A. chlorotica collected on the soil surface showed slightly higher total zinc concentrations than non-polluted soil. Casts were found throughout the whole column. For A. caliginosa there were no differences in total zinc concentration between columns with and without earthworms. CaCl₂-exchangeable zinc concentrations in the polluted layers were lower for columns with earthworms. Casts were mainly placed on top of the soil and contained total zinc concentrations intermediate between those in non-polluted and polluted soil layers.This study shows that different endogeic earthworm species have different effects on zinc distribution and availability in soils. A. chlorotica transfers soil throughout the whole column, effectively mixing it, while A. caliginosa decreases metal availability and transfers polluted soil to the soil surface.     

Quantitative estimates of burrow construction and destruction,by anecic and endogeic earthworms in repacked soil cores

Although the role of earthworms in soil functioning is often emphasised, many important aspects of earthworm behaviour are still poorly understood. In this study we propose a simple and cost-effective method for estimating burrow system area and continuity, as well as a new and often neglected parameter, the percentage of burrow refilling by the earthworms own casts. This novel parameter is likely to have a huge influence on the transfer properties of the burrow system. The method uses standard repacked soil cores in PVC cylinders and takes advantages of clay shrinkage and the fact that earthworms were previously shown to prefer to burrow at the PVC/soil interface. In this way, after removing the PVC cylinders off dry cores, the external section of the burrow system made by earthworms along the soil walls could be easily described. We applied this method to characterise the burrow systems of four earthworms species: two anecics (Aporrectodea caliginosa nocturna and Aporrectodea caliginosa meridionalis) and two endogeics (Aporrectodea caliginosa icaliginosa and Allolobophora chlorotica). After one month the burrow's area generated by both anecic species were much larger (about 40 cm²) than the endogeic burrow's area (about 15 cm²). A. nocturna burrow system continuity was higher than that of A. meridionalis and both anecic burrow systems were more continuous than those made by the endogeic earthworms. This was partly explained by the far larger proportion of the burrow area that was refilled with casts: approximately 40% and 50% for Al. chlorotica and A. caliginosa, respectively compared with approximately 20% for the anecic burrows. We discuss whether these estimates could be used in future models simulating the dynamics of earthworm burrow systems by taking into account both burrow creation and destruction by earthworms.