Effect of tillage on earthworms over short- and medium-term in conventional and organic farming

Earthworms play an important role in many soil functions and are affected by soil tillage in agricultural soils. However, effects of tillage on earthworms are often studied without considering species and their interactions with soil properties. Furthermore, many field studies are based on one-time samplings that do not allow for characterisation of temporal variation. The current study monitored the short (up to 53 days) and medium term (up to 4 years) effects of soil tillage on earthworms in conventional and organic farming. Earthworm abundances decreased one and three weeks after mouldboard ploughing in both conventional and organic farming, suggesting direct and indirect mechanisms. However, the medium-term study revealed that earthworm populations in mouldboard ploughing systems recovered by spring. The endogeic species Aporrectodea caliginosa strongly dominated the earthworm community (76%), whereas anecic species remained <1% of all earthworms in all tillage and farming systems over the entire study. In conventional farming, mean total earthworm abundance was not significantly different in reduced tillage (153 m⁻²) than mouldboard ploughing (MP; 130 m⁻²). However, reduced tillage in conventional farming significantly increased the epigeic species Lumbricus rubellus from 0.1 m⁻² in mouldboard ploughing to 9 m⁻² averaged over 4 years. Contrastingly, in organic farming mean total earthworm abundance was 45% lower in reduced tillage (297 m⁻²) than MP (430 m⁻²), across all sampling dates over the medium-term study (significant at 3 of 6 sampling dates). Reduced tillage in organic farming decreased A. caliginosa from 304 m⁻² in mouldboard ploughing to 169 m⁻² averaged over 4 years (significant at all sampling dates). Multivariate analysis revealed clear separation between farming and tillage systems. Earthworm species abundances, soil moisture, and soil organic matter were positively correlated, whereas earthworm abundances and penetration resistance where negatively correlated. Variability demonstrated between sampling dates highlights the importance of multiple samplings in time to ascertain management effects on earthworms. Findings indicate that a reduction in tillage intensity in conventional farming affects earthworms differently than in organic farming. Differing earthworm species or ecological group response to interactions between soil tillage, crop, and organic matter management in conventional and organic farming has implications for management to maximise soil ecosystem functions.     

Earthworms influenced by reduced tillage,conventional tillage and energy forest in Swedish agricultural field experiments

Abstract

We compared earthworm density, depth distribution and species composition in three soil cultivation experiments including the treatments ploughless tillage and mouldboard ploughing. Sampling was done in September 2005 and for one experiment also in 1994. By yearly sampling 1995–2005, earthworms in an energy forest of Salix viminalis were compared with those in an adjacent arable field. Sampling method was digging of soil blocks and hand sorting and formalin sampling in one cultivation experiment. Both methods were used in the energy forest and arable land comparison.

In two soil cultivation experiments, highest abundances or biomass were found in ploughless tillage. Earthworm density was higher in the upper 10 cm, especially in the ploughless tillage. Earthworm density was significantly higher in the energy forest than in the arable field. Formalin sampling revealed c. 36% of the earthworm numbers found by digging in the energy forest and gave almost no earthworms in the arable field. In all treatments with soil cultivation, species living and feeding in the rhizosphere and soil dominated. One such species, Allolobophora chlorotica, was more abundant under mouldboard ploughing than ploughless tillage. Lumbricus terrestris, browsing on the surface and producing deep vertical burrows, was more common in the ploughless tillage. Species living and feeding close to the soil surface were almost only found in the energy forest, which had not been soil cultivated since 1984.

The findings support earlier studies pointing out possibilities to encourage earthworms by reduced soil cultivation. This is one of the first published studies that followed earthworm populations in an energy forest plantation during several years. Explanation of earthworm reactions to management and environmental impacts should be done with consideration of the ecology of species or species groups. Earthworm sampling by formalin must always be interpreted with caution and calibrated by digging and hand-sorting sampling.     

Earthworm composition,diversity and biomass under three land use systems in south-eastern Australia

In south-eastern Australia, strips of planted native trees and shrubs (shelterbelts) are frequently established to restore ecosystem services altered by agriculture. Despite their wide use, little is known about the effects of establishing shelterbelts on soil macro invertebrates, especially earthworms, which are of major importance in soil processes. We assessed earthworm composition, diversity and biomass in three land use systems: native shelterbelts dominated by Acacia and Eucalyptus species, agricultural pastures and native remnant woodland fragments dominated by Eucalyptus blakelyi and/or Eucalyptus melliodora. Earthworm communities differed significantly among systems, with abundance, biomass and diversity greatest under pasture. Within shelterbelts we saw a shift from high earthworm biomass and density to low with increasing time after establishment. Soil edaphic variables did not correlate strongly with earthworm biomass or density, but were correlated with earthworm community composition. Overall the introduction of native woody vegetation was associated with a decline in density and biomass of earthworms, including a decrease in the relative abundance of exotic species. As such shelterbelts can be used to promote native earthworm relative abundance, which may be important for local diversity, soil function and landscape connectivity.     

Decomposition and mineralization of energy crop residues governed by earthworms

Energy crops are increasingly cultivated in agricultural management systems world-wide. A substitution of food crops (e.g. cereals) by energy crops may generally alter the biological activity and litter decomposition in soil due to their varying structural and chemical composition and subsequently modify soil functioning. A soil microcosm experiment was performed to assess the decomposition and microbial mineralization of different energy crop residues in soil compared to a food crop, with or without earthworms. Residues of the energy crops winter rape (Brassica napus), maize (Zea mays), miscanthus (Miscanthus giganteus) and the food crop oat (Avena sativa) were each provided as food source for a mixed earthworm population, each consisting of one individual of Lumbricus terrestris, Aporrectodea caliginosa, and Octolasion tyrtaeum. After 6 weeks, the rate of litter loss from the soil surface, earthworm biomass, microbial biomass-C and -N, microbial activity, and enzyme activities were determined. The results emphasized, that litter loss and microbial parameters were predominantly promoted by earthworms and were additionally influenced by the varying structural and chemical composition of the different litter. Litter decay by earthworms was highest in N-rich maize litter treatment (C-N ratio 34.8) and lowest in the case of miscanthus litter (C-N ratio 134.4). As a consequence, the microbial biomass and basal respiration in soils with maize litter were higher, relative to other litter types. MBC-MBN ratio in soil increased when earthworms were present, indicating N competition between earthworms and microorganisms. Furthermore, enzyme activities responded in different ways on the varying types of litter and earthworm activity. Enzymes involved in the N-cycle decreased and those involved in the C-cycle tended to increase in the presence of earthworms, when litter with high C-N ratio was provided as a food source. Especially in the miscanthus treatments, less N might remain for enzymatic degradation, indicating that N competition between earthworms and microorganisms may vary between different litter types. Especially, an expansion of miscanthus in agricultural management systems might result in a reduced microbial activity and a higher N deficit for microorganisms in soil.     

C and N turnover of fermented residues from biogas plants in soil in the presence of three different earthworm species (Lumbricus terrestris,Aporrectodea longa,Aporrectodea caliginosa)

A soil microcosm experiment was performed to assess (1) the C- and N- turnover of residues from biogas plants in soils in the presence of three earthworm species (Lumbricus terrestris, Aporrectodea longa and Aporrectodea caliginosa) and (2) the resulting changes in soil chemical and microbiological properties when using these residues as fertilizer in comparison to conventional slurry. Earthworms were exposed in soils, fertilized with an equivalent amount of 120 kg of NH₄-N ha^?1 from: (1) conventional cattle slurry and (2) a fermented residue derived from cattle slurry, grass (silage) and maize. Additional treatments without slurry and earthworms were used as controls.There was considerable evidence that soils fertilized by fermented slurry comprised fewer amounts of readily available nutrients for microbial C and N turnover. We observed significant stimulation of microbial biomass, basal respiration and nitrification in treatments with conventional slurry, especially in the presence of earthworms. However, the stimulation of microbial activity by manure and earthworms were significantly lower in treatments with fermented slurry. Moreover, the results showed clear interactions between different earthworm species and manures. While the biomass of the anecic species (L. terrestris and A. longa) increased in both slurry treatments, the biomass of A. caliginosa (endogeic) decreased, with a significantly stronger biomass decline in treatments with fermented slurry. The metabolic quotients revealed microbial stress metabolism in fermented slurry treatments, predominantly in treatments with A. caliginosa. We conclude that particularly A. caliginosa and soil microorganisms competed for labile C sources in treatments with fermented slurry. An application of these residues as fertilizer might result in a reduction of microbial activity in agricultural soils and in a decline of endogeic earthworms.     

不同土地利用方式下的蚯蚓种群特征及其与土壤生物肥力的关系

采用样方法对华北平原(河北曲周)盐渍化改造区7种土地利用方式下的蚯蚓种群进行详细调查,并通过培养实验研究了蚯蚓种群特征对若干土壤生物学指标的影响。结果表明:(1)在7种土地利用调查样地中共存在蚯蚓有3个科,5个属,5个种,其中赤子爱胜蚓(Eisenia fetida)占调查样地总个体数的60%以上,梯形流蚓(Aporrectodea trapezoides)和赤子爱胜蚓两个种在本地区广泛分布,样点出现频率分别为74%和44%,为该地区的优势种;(2)不同土地利用方式的蚯蚓种群密度及生物量变化趋势是:庭院菜地>直立免耕>清茬免耕>商品菜地>传统玉米地>果园>原貌地。其中庭院菜地蚯蚓种群的平均密度和生物量分别达到272 Ind.m-2和68.04gm-2;(3)蚯蚓种群密度和物种数等种群特征与土壤基础呼吸强度、微生物生物量碳含量成显著正相关(p<0.01),与土壤基础呼吸商成显著负相关(p<0.01);(4)不同土地利用方式下,蚯蚓的种群密度、生物量等种群特征对土壤中微生物群落的影响作用显著。蚯蚓生物量越大、种群越丰富的土壤有机质、氮、磷、钾等有效成分越高,反之则相反。室内培养实验表明,随着蚯蚓个体数量增加土壤原生动物总丰度、微生物生物量碳、氮也存在升高的趋势,与用土壤生物学特性指标及土壤化学特性指标评价的结果基本一致。     

The effect of tillage type and cropping system on earthworm communities, macroporosity and water infiltration

To test the assumption that changes to earthworm communities subsequently affect macroporosity and then soil water infiltration, we carried out a 3 year study of the earthworm communities in a experimental site having six experimental treatments: 2 tillage management systems and 3 cropping systems. The tillage management was either conventional (CT; annual mouldboard ploughing up to −30 cm depth) or reduced (RT; rotary harrow up to −7 cm depth). The 3 cropping systems were established to obtain a wide range of soil compaction intensities depending on the crop rotations and the rules of decision making. In the spring of 2005, the impact of these different treatments on earthworm induced macroporosity and water infiltration was studied. During the 3 years of observation, tillage management had a significant effect on bulk density (1.27 in CT and 1.49 mg m⁻³ in RT) whereas cropping system had a significant effect on bulk density in RT plots only. Tillage management did not significantly affect earthworm abundance but significantly influenced the ecological type of earthworms found in each plot (anecic were more abundant in RT). On the contrary cropping system did have a significant negative effect on earthworm abundance (104 and 129 ind. m⁻² in the less and most compacted plots, respectively). Significantly higher numbers of Aporrectodea giardi and lower numbers of Aporrectodea caliginosa were found in the most compacted plots. CT affected all classes of porosity leading to a significant decrease in the number of pores and their continuity. Only larger pores, with a diameter superior to 6 mm, however, were adversely affected by soil compaction. Tillage management did not change water infiltration, probably because the increase in macroporosity in RT plots was offset by a significant increase in soil bulk density. However, cropping system had a significant effect on water infiltration (119 vs 79 mm h⁻¹ in the less and most compacted plots, respectively). In RT plots, a significant correlation was observed between larger macropores (diameter > 6 mm) and water infiltration illustrating the potential positive effect of earthworms in these plots.     

Habitat selection of the Eurasian woodcock in winter in relation to earthworms availability

The Eurasian woodcock (Scolopax rusticola) is a game species experiencing high hunting pressure, long-term modifications of its habitats, and with questions regarding its current conservation status. Winter is a season of highest concentration of birds and hunting pressure but woodcock precise habitat requirements are poorly known. It is crucial to assess threats and to develop sustainable management options for the conservation of woodcock populations. During three consecutive winters, we monitored 65 individual woodcocks fitted with radio-tags in Brittany, France. Habitat selection was analysed using GIS and compositional analysis, in relation to vegetation types, soil variables (humus types) and the abundance of their main prey (earthworms). Woodcocks used different habitats diurnally and nocturnally, generally preferring areas with high earthworm biomass. Diurnal habitat selection in forests was associated with humus type (preference for mulls, rich in earthworms) and dense shrub strata (better protection). Hedges with a high density of trees and shrub were also important habitat. At night, grazed meadows were the preferred habitat, containing five times higher biomass of earthworms compared to cultivated fields. Sustainable management of populations requires protection and management of habitats that incorporates food and cover. Forestry practices should preserve rich humus types and coppices by choosing tree species that ameliorate the soil and soil tilling. Changes in landscapes and intensive agricultural practices are current threats to woodcock populations: destruction of hedges, decrease of permanent grazed meadows, impoverishment of soils fauna biomasses from ploughing and chemical applications. However, woodcocks may benefit from the recent development of set-asides, grass field-borders and simplified farm practices (no-tillage and direct sowing).     

Earthworms in New Zealand sheep- and dairy-grazed pastures with focus on anecic Aporrectodea longa

Earthworms play an important role as primary decomposers in the incorporation and initial mixing of plant litter. This study explored the response of earthworms to increasing fertiliser inputs, pasture production and livestock numbers (and their influence on food availability and soil physical condition) on six different managements in sheep-grazed and fifteen different managements in dairy-grazed pastures in a variety of New Zealand soils.Native earthworms were only found in some low-fertility pastures. Accidentally introduced peregrine earthworms, when present, dominate pasture soils. Of these, endogeic earthworms dominated the earthworm community and were positively associated with soil types with higher bulk densities. Peregrine anecic earthworms were absent from most hill-country sheep-grazed pastures, however in more fertile and productive dairy-grazed pastures they reached a biomass of up to 2370 kg ha^?1. Only anecic earthworms showed a positive response to the increasing pressures associated with higher potential dry matter inputs and liveweight loadings of grazing livestock on soil, while epigeic earthworms declined. The positive response of anecic earthworms probably reflects the combined effect of the increase in food resources, including dung and plant litter, available on the soil surface, and their lower susceptibility to livestock treading pressure. Anecic species may be a suitable substitute for incorporation of surface litter in those soils where livestock treading limits epigeic earthworm populations.This study confirmed previous observations of limited distribution of the introduced Aporrectodea longa in pastoral hill-country soils in the North Island, and their near absolute absence from the South Island of New Zealand. This would suggest that large areas of New Zealand pastoral farmed soils could benefit from the introduction of anecic species from other parts of New Zealand which already contain A. longa.     

Earthworms promote the reduction of Fusarium biomass and deoxynivalenol content in wheat straw under field conditions

A field experiment was conducted to elucidate ecosystem services provided by earthworms on the repression of phytopathogenic and toxinogenic fungi. The study focussed on decomposing Fusarium culmorum-infected and deoxynivalenol (DON)-contaminated wheat straw remaining on the soil surface as part in conservation tillage. Mesocosms were established in the topsoil of a winter wheat field located in Northern Germany, where conservation tillage has been practised for 20 years. Besides a non-earthworm treatment, two earthworm species were inoculated in the mesocosms either separately or combined: Lumbricus terrestris (anecic, detritivorous) and Aporrectodea caliginosa (endogeic, geophagous). The earthworms were exposed either to artificially Fusarium-infected wheat straw highly contaminated with DON or to non-infected straw serving as a control. The experiment was conducted during an eight week period after harvest from mid August to mid October. For both species, the artificially Fusarium-infected and DON-contaminated wheat straw was a more attractive food source than the non-infected control. In contrast to A. caliginosa, L. terrestris incorporated infected straw faster into the soil compared to control straw. Furthermore, the reduction of Fusarium biomass and DON concentration in wheat straw was significantly higher in the presence of L. terrestris than in treatments with A. caliginosa and without earthworms. Here, no significant differences could be measured between the Fusarium biomass and DON concentration in wheat straw. A. caliginosa seems not to be relevant for the reduction of Fusarium biomass and DON concentration. We concluded that amongst earthworms, anecic detritivorous species are the drivers to compensate possible negative consequences (like crop infection) of conservation tillage. They take an important role in the control of phytopathogenic and toxinogenic fungi surviving on plant residues and in the degradation of their mycotoxins.     

Cropping history and peat amendment-induced changes in strawberry field earthworm abundance and microbial biomass

Common agricultural practices, e.g. soil tillage and organic amendment, may affect field earthworm communities considerably. However, there is little data to show how long the changes persist after a certain action. The effect of peat, commonly used in Finland to improve the horticultural soil structure, on key soil organisms is also largely unknown. Earthworm abundance and microbial biomass were studied in a strawberry field experiment (soil type silty clay) with a history of different crops (strawberry, timothy, caraway, rye, turnip rape, fiddleneck, onion and buckwheat) and peat treatments. Sampling was carried out after three years of perennial cropping of strawberry. Half of the area was peat-amended twice three years apart. The earthworm community consisted mainly of Aporrectodea caliginosa and Lumbricus terrestris. Soil peat amendment almost doubled the number of endogeic A. caliginosa, but had no effect on the anecic L. terrestris. The effect of cropping history on earthworms diminished after three years of strawberry cropping. Only the positive effect of caraway on juvenile Lumbricus spp. was detectable three years after its cropping had been finished. However, some crops had secondary effects on the earthworm distribution without significant influence on their numbers while they were grown, e.g. high numbers of A. caliginosa were recorded from soil with a history of timothy ley. The effect of strawberry cropping was contradictory: six years of continuous strawberry cropping decreased the number of the anecic L. terrestris, but during the last three years on strawberry, the proportion of L. terrestris increased from 6% to 40% in the experimental area with a concomitant great drop in the number of A. caliginosa. The role of different agricultural practices (no tillage, mulching, inter-row grass cover and pesticides) is discussed. The crop-induced changes persisted in the microbial biomass for three years (onion cropping reduced microbial biomass C), but soil amendment had no effect on microbes. The abundance of A. caliginosa was associated with soil organic C, but not with soil microbial biomass.     

Earthworm response to rotation and tillage in a Missouri claypan soil

 Agricultural management practices affect earthworm populations. A field experiment was conducted to determine the effect of two rotations and two tillage systems on earthworm population density and biomass in a claypan soil. The rotations were soybean/corn and wheat/corn, and the tillage systems were conventional tillage (chisel plowed and disked) and no-tillage. Earthworm and soil samples were collected in fall 1995, spring 1996, and fall 1996. Aporrectodea trapezoides and Diplocardia singularis were the species identified at the site. A. trapezoides accounted for 92–96% of the total earthworm population density and D. singularis accounted for only 4–8%. In a no-till system, soybean/corn rotation resulted in significantly greater population density of A. trapezoides compared with the wheat/corn rotation. Crop residue quality (low C:N ratio) and quantity were important factors in increasing A. trapezoides population density and biomass. Conventional tillage markedly decreased population density and biomass of both earthworm species. Our results suggest that rotation and tillage significantly affect earthworm population density and biomass. Received: 6 June 1998     

Influence of reduced tillage on earthworm and microbial communities under organic arable farming

Although reduced tillage is an agricultural practice reported to decrease soil erosion and external inputs while enhancing soil fertility, it has still rarely been adopted by European organic farmers. The objective of this study was to assess the long-term interactive effects of tillage (conventional (CT) vs. reduced (RT)) and fertilization (slurry (S) vs. composted manure/slurry (MCS)) on earthworms and microbial communities in a clay soil under spelt in an organic 6-year crop rotation. Earthworm populations (species, density and biomass, cocoons) were investigated by handsorting the soil nine years after initial implementation of the treatments. Soil microbial carbon (C_mic) and nitrogen (N_mic) were measured by chloroform-fumigation extraction and a simplified phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis was used to separate for populations of bacteria, fungi and protozoa. Significantly increased total earthworm density in RT plots was mainly attributed to increased numbers of juveniles. Moreover, we found five times more cocoons with RT. Species richness was not affected by the treatments, but tillage treatments had differentially affected populations at the species-level. In addition, cluster analysis at the community level revealed two distinct groups of plots in relation to tillage treatments. In RT plots C_mic increased in the 0–10 cm and 10–20 cm soil layers, while PLFA concentrations indicative of Gram-negative bacteria, fungi and protozoa only increased in the topsoil. Lower bacteria-to-fungi ratios in the upper soil layer of RT plots indicated a shift to fungal-based decomposition of organic matter whereas a higher C_mic-to-C_org ratio pointed towards enhanced substrate availability. Slurry application decreased microbial biomass and enhanced density of juvenile anecic earthworms but overall fertilization effect was weak and no interactions with tillage were found. In conclusion, tillage is a major driver in altering communities of earthworms and microorganisms in arable soils. The use of reduced tillage provides an approach for eco-intensification by enhancing inherent soil biota functions under organic arable farming.     

Experimental evidence for the role of earthworms in compacted soil regeneration based on field observations and results from a semi-field experiment

In laboratory experiments, earthworms are often observed to burrow through compacted soil layers, leading to the general assumption that these animals play a significant role in regenerating compacted soils in agricultural plots. To demonstrate this role under field conditions, the abundance of earthworm macropores inside compacted zones was estimated on plots under reduced (RT) or conventional tillage (CT). Then, different types of compacted zones typically found in CT (plough pan and compacted clods) and RT plots (compacted volume under wheel tracks) were experimentally simulated in wooden boxes, buried in the field and inoculated with different earthworm species. After 6 weeks of incubation, the number of macropores inside the compacted zones was examined. Field observations showed that approximately 10% and 30% of the compacted zones were colonised by at least one macropore in CT and RT plots, respectively. A significantly greater number of anecics was found in RT plots, but we could not conclude that this ecological type of earthworm plays a more major role in the regeneration process in these plots since there were fewer compacted zones and these covered a smaller area in CT. The semi-field experiment provided evidence that earthworm-mediated regeneration of compacted zones is possible and its nature varies between ecological types of earthworm. Lumbricus terrestris, which makes individual burrows that are vertical and deep, was the main species to cross through the plough pan. The other three earthworm species (Aporrectodea giardi, A. caliginosa and A. rosea) did burrow inside the other types of compacted zones (“wheel tracks” and “compacted clods”). In every case, however, macropore density was far greater in non-compacted zones, illustrating that avoidance of compacted soil by earthworms is important and should be taken into account when extrapolating results from laboratory studies.     

Introduced earthworm species exhibited unique patterns of seasonal activity and vertical distribution,and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lumbricus terrestris</Emphasis> burrows remained usable for at least 7 years in hardwood and pine stands

It is difficult to obtain non-destructive information on the seasonal dynamics of earthworms in northern forest soils. To overcome this, we used a Rhizotron facility to compile 7 years of data on the activity of anecic (Lumbricus terrestris) and endogeic (Aporrectodea caliginosa complex) earthworms in two contrasting soil/plant community types. We hypothesized that L. terrestris burrows would be used for longer than a typical L. terrestris lifetime, and that the distribution and activity pattern of the two earthworm species would respond differently to changes in soil moisture and temperature. For 7 years we recorded earthworm distribution and activity state bi-weekly to a depth of 1.5 m, tracked L. terrestris burrows using images captured annually, and measured soil temperature and moisture. Activity and vertical distribution of earthworms was closely linked to earthworm species and soil temperature in the fall, winter and spring. Lumbricus terrestris typically remained active through the winter, whereas the A. caliginosa complex was more likely to enter an aestivation period. Activity of all earthworms decreased substantially in July and August when soil temperature was at its highest and soil moisture at its lowest for the year. Most L. terrestris burrows were used continuously and moved very little during the 7-year study, likely creating spatiotemporally stable hotspots of soil resources. The different patterns of response of these species to soil temperature and moisture suggests that endogeic earthworms are more likely than anecic earthworms to adjust activity states in response to climate change mediated shifts in soil moisture and temperature.     

Earthworm community development in soils of a reclaimed steelworks

Long-term studies are essential to learn earthworm community development and soil formation post reclamation. Investigations were undertaken at a former steelworks site at Hallside, near Glasgow, UK, reclaimed in the 1990s using a mixture of colliery spoil and sewage sludge. The site was largely planted for production of short rotation coppice willow (Salix spp.). Earthworm inoculation formed a part of the restoration process. Minimal monitoring occurred in the interim, but some records of earthworm sampling existed in 2000 and 2005. This study focused on monitoring earthworms and soil properties across the site, drawing comparisons with adjacent unspoiled soil. Results showed that after 22 years, a species-rich community of earthworms (n=16) colonized the site, with endogeic Aporrectodea caliginosa being dominant by number and anecic A. longa by mass. Across the site, earthworm community density and biomass were 208 individuals m^-2 and 71 g m^-2, respectively. The Shannon diversity index for earthworms was 1.89, with an evenness of 0.68. The sewage sludge increased the soil organic matter, but the stone content of the colliery spoil prevented digging in some locations. Soil chemistry had no negative effect on earthworms, but the compacted substrate did hinder water infiltration. Earthworms colonized the reclaimed site from adjacent areas, and community structure and density below well-drained, scrub-free willow, birch, and grassland were not significantly different (P>0.05) from those of the adjacent unspoiled areas. The results show that the historical earthworm inoculation was unnecessary and badly timed. Future reclamations of similar sites can learn from this investigation.     

Sources of bioavailable trace metals for earthworms from a Zn-, Pb- and Cd-contaminated soil

The sources of bioavailable metals for earthworms were investigated in a Zn-, Pb- and Cd-contaminated soil. Selective sequential extractions (SSE) of metals were performed on soil samples with different amounts of contamination and compared with the body burden concentration of metals in two earthworm species: Aporrectodea caliginosa and Lumbricus rubellus. The most labile forms (water extractable and exchangeable) of metals were poorly related with metal accumulation by the earthworms, except for Cd, whereas the moderately available forms (acid-soluble, bound to iron oxides and organic matter) were related to the pattern of metal accumulation by earthworms. This indicates that the ingestion of metals bound to soil components is likely to be a more important uptake route than the dermal uptake of dissolved ions for metals entering the body tissue of earthworms.     

Effects of Lumbricus terrestris, Allolobophora chlorotica and Eisenia fetida on microbial community dynamics in oil-contaminated soil

Oil spills are one of the most common types of soil pollution. Bioremediation has become an attractive alternative to physicochemical methods of remediation, where feasible. Earthworms have been shown to stimulate the degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons in soil, and it was hypothesized that the role of earthworms in remediation lies in the enhancement of an oil degrading microbial community. The aim of this study was to characterize microbial activity and community dynamics in oil-contaminated soil incubated with or without earthworms. Three earthworm species (Eisenia fetida, Allolobophora chlorotica and Lumbricus terrestris) were incubated in crude oil polluted soil (ca. 10,000 mg/kg total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH)) and a reference soil for 28 d. Control treatments with manual mixing and/or cattle dung amendment were also included. In the oil-contaminated soil, respiration and concentration of microbial biomass was significantly enhanced by earthworm amendment, and TPH concentrations decreased significantly. These effects were less evident in treatments with A. chlorotica, possibly due to a difference in behavior, since individuals of this endogeic species were found in a state of inactivity (aestivation). Microbial community dynamics were described by phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analyses. After 28 d, similar shifts in the soil PLFA composition were observed in the oil-contaminated soil irrespective of worm species. Fungal:bacterial ratios were increased in the presence of worms, but also by addition of dung as a food source, indicating a non-specific effect of metabolizable substrates. In contrast, the fatty acids 17:1ω8 (=Δ9-heptadecenoic acid) and 20:4ω6c (arachidonic acid) were specifically stimulated by the presence of earthworms in the oil-contaminated soil. The results showed that earthworms can contribute positively to bioremediation of oil-contaminated soil, but that the effect may be species-dependent.     

Associations between soil texture,soil water characteristics and earthworm populations in grassland

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationships between soil physical characteristics and earthworms in a regional-scale field study in Denmark. The earthworm populations along within-field gradients in soil texture were quantified at five field sites, representing dominant soil types of Denmark. Eleven earthworm species were found, but populations were mainly dominated by Aporrectodea tuberculata and A. longa. Despite considerable variation in soil parameters across the five study sites the results suggest that the biomass of anecic worms (or A. longa as a species) was not causally associated with the soil parameters studied. This indicates that there must be other causal factors associated with the abundance (and composition) of anecic worms that are not among the soil texture and structure parameters studied. On the other hand, soil texture (Coarse sand) was associated with the abundance of the dominant endogeic species, A. tuberculata, but not endogeic worms in general. It was hypothesized that anecic and endogeic earthworms might respond to local soil water characteristics rather than soil texture, but this hypothesis could not be confirmed with the present data.