Does ivermectin attract earthworms?

Purpose  

Changes in the behavior of earthworms (for example avoidance of a particular substrate) can influence the soil ecosystem. Our aim was to determine whether the earthworms Eisenia fetida and Lumbricus terrestris are able to avoid ivermectin (a veterinary endectocide belonging to the avermectins). A standard avoidance test with earthworms was conducted using standardized Lufa 2.3 soil (Speyer, Germany) and sandy soil provided by Cinkarna Celje (Slovenia).     

Do earthworms compete for food?

Three species of non-native earthworms, Microscolex dubius (Fletcher), Eisenia foetida (Sav.) and Allolobophora trapezoides Dugès are common and widespread in suburban gardens of Perth, Western Australia. Eisenia tends to dominate numerically mixtures of these species. Laboratory experiments were set up to detect intra- or interspecific competitive interactions. Changes of biomass of worms in mixed species populations indicate that Microscolex under the experimental conditions adopted is at a competitive disadvantage when with Eisenia. The biomass of Eisenia was adversely affected by conspecifics but not by Microscolex. Ratio diagrams of biomasses were used to illustrate the temporal dynamics of these processes. During the first 2 weeks of the experiment neither species had an advantage over the other, but between weeks 2 and 5 mixtures tended toward an equilibrium with Eisenia contributing 62–67% of the total biomass. After week 5 the advantage enjoyed by Eisenia became independent of its biomass. A similar experiment conducted with Eisenia and Allolobophora yielded a stable coexistence within 11 weeks. The object of competition is most likely food. Two possible mechanisms, involving differences in excretory or digestive physiology, that could account for the decline of Microscolex are outlined.     

Comparing four mitochondrial genes in earthworms – Implications for identification,phylogenetics, and discovery of cryptic species

Earthworms play a key role in soil ecology as they can reach high densities, are well known as soil engineers, and occupy a central position in soil food-webs. The identification of earthworms, however, is notoriously difficult and morphologically only possible for well-preserved adult specimens. Molecular markers could facilitate earthworm identification and would be a huge advantage in studies where it is important to species-specifically identify juveniles or where badly preserved specimens and remains of earthworms need to be identified. The aim of this study was to compare four mitochondrial genes (12S rRNA, 16S rRNA, COI, and COII) with respect to their value for identifying earthworms, calculating earthworm phylogenies, and discovering cryptic species. Our results indicate that all four genes are suitable for species identification. However, the genetic distances were approximately twice as high for the protein coding genes than for RNA coding ones. High genetic distances and deep genetic lineages, e.g. for Octolasion lacteum, Lumbricus rubellus and Aporrectodea rosea, indicate the possible presence of cryptic species and hamper molecular identification. The Bayesian analysis based on concatenated sequence data resulted in a phylogenetic tree with high posterior probabilities. The con-specific relationship of Aporrectodea spp. and Allolobophora spp. was not confirmed, underlining the ongoing discussion about the revision of these two genera. In conclusion, our findings suggest using 12S and 16S rRNA sequences as molecular markers for species identification whereas the COI gene is better suited to address genetic lineages and to explore possible cryptic species. Taxonomy and the identification of species are essential for most ecological studies. This study provides the needed molecular sequence information to develop molecular tools that can overcome many hurdles in studies on earthworms, their relationship and their ecology.     

Nutrient uptake in mycorrhizal plants – role of earthworms

Both arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and earthworms often coexist in agriculture ecosystems, but very little is known on the interactions between them. A two-compartment air gap-incorporating device was used to investigate the effects of three species of earthworm (epigeic Eisenia foetida, endogeic Aporrectodea trapezoide, and anecic Pheretima guillelmi) on AMF (Glomus intraradices) under the exclusion of plant roots, and then on maize (Zea mays L.) performance and nutrients uptake. Results showed a strong correlation between hyphal length density and subsequent plant growth and nutrient uptake. Earthworms improved soil nutrients availability in hyphal compartment (HC): E. foetida improved the concentration of soil inorganic N, A. trapezoide changed the concentration of available phosphate in the soil, and P. guillelmi changed the soil's physical properties. We found some indications that different species of earthworm and AMF might interact within the soil. Earthworms and AMF mainly acting on different nutrients create distinct niches for plants. The feeding and burrowing activities did not significantly destroy hyphal length density and made negative affect on plant performance.     

Evaluation of a technique to obtain development-stage-synchronised earthworms (Eisenia fetida )

 The aim of this experiment was to investigate whether Eisenia fetida hatchlings of different ages, kept initially without food, could be used to obtain worms of a comparable development stage (measured as growth) with similar maturation properties (measured as clitellum development). Seven groups of hatchlings, each differing in age by 7 days (range: 0–42 days) were collected as follows. Cocoons were kept in water in multicell containers and individuals that hatched during a 24-h period were placed on moist vermiculite with no food, at weekly intervals. The longest period that hatchlings were fasted was 42 days, after which food was added and growth monitored for 50 days. No differences in weight gain between the different batches were observed. Analysis of the growth curves and attainment of sexual maturity (clitellum development) indicated no effect of age or stage of development at the onset of feeding. It was concluded that this technique allows the production of cohorts of E. fetida, synchronised with respect to development stage, for use in toxicological and biological investigations that require control of factors such as development stage, age and size, and in particular for use in toxicological experiments complying with OECD regulatory procedures. Received: 16 June 1997     

How do earthworms influence organic matter quantity and quality in tropical soils?

Earthworms are important regulators of soil structure and soil organic matter (SOM) dynamics; however, quantifying their influence on SOM cycling in tropical ecosystems remains little studied. Simulated rainfall was used to disrupt casts produced by Amynthas khami and their surrounding soil (control) into a range of small sized aggregates (50-250, 250-500, 500-2000 and 2000-5000 μm). To gain insight into how earthworms influence SOM biogeochemical composition in the aggregates, we carried out elemental and stable isotope analysis, and analytical pyrolysis (Py GC/MS). We also characterized their lignin component after oxidation with cupric oxide (CuO).The C content of smaller size fractions (<500 μm) in the control soil was higher than in the larger fractions. Our study therefore suggests that the aggregate hierarchy concept, which is used to understand soil aggregates and SOM dynamics in temperate soils, may not be applicable to the tropical Acrisol studied here. Earthworms modified SOM organization in soil aggregates. Although the isotope analyses were useful for highlighting SOM enrichment in the earthworm casts, aggregate fractions could not be classified according to particle size. Molecular analyses were necessary to indicate that SOM in all size fractions of casts consisted of relatively undecomposed material. Protection of the most labile SOM structures occurred in the smallest aggregate size fraction (50-250 μm). Py GC/MS showed that earthworm casts and control aggregates <2000 μm could be clearly distinguished according to the molecular properties of their SOM. Aggregates larger than 2000 μm, however, were most probably composed of all fractions and were not different. As a consequence, our results indicate that studies to determine the impact of earthworms on SOM turnover in soil are spatially dependant on the scale of observation.     

Can commercial mulches be reservoirs of invasive earthworms? Promotion of ligninolytic enzyme activity and survival of Amynthas agrestis (Goto and Hatai, 1899)

Amynthas agrestis is an exotic, invasive earthworm in North America that has been associated with horticulture settings as well as damage to forest soil. An experiment was conducted to find out whether A. agrestis, an earthworm commonly found in mulches in Vermont, stimulates ligninolytic enzymes in the presence of commercial wood mulches. Mesocosms filled with a sandy loam soil were topped with either spruce, cedar or pine mulch. Half of the mesocosms received juvenile A. agrestis, the other half did not. After 7 weeks soils were analyzed for phenoloxidase and peroxidase activity. Most A. agrestis survived and developed into adults during the incubation period. Significantly greater phenoloxidase activity was detected in soils with A. agrestis than without earthworms. Mean (standard deviation) phenoloxidase activities in the presence of A. agrestis were 0.15 (±0.10), 1.14 (±0.46), 2.71 (±0.98) μmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹ for pine, spruce and cedar respectively, and 0.012 (±0.023), 0.25 (±0.25), 0.78 (±0.45) μmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹ in the absence of A. agrestis. There was significantly greater peroxidase activity for the pine and spruce treatment when earthworms were present. Mean peroxidase activities were 0.47 (±0.21), 0.94 (±0.29), 1.20 (±0.77) μmol h⁻¹ g⁻¹ soil for pine, spruce and cedar, respectively for soils with A. agrestis and 0.15 (±0.10), 0.37 (±0.10), 0.63 (±0.30) μmol h⁻¹ g⁻¹ soil in the absence of earthworms. The increased ligninolytic activity in combination with successful maturation of juveniles into adult A. agrestis suggests that mulch can be habitat for these invasive earthworms. This finding is supported by a survey of master gardeners in Vermont and New Hampshire 20% of whom reported to have seen these earthworms mainly in their gardens and mulched beds.     

The impact of earthworms on the abundance of Collembola: improvement of food resources or of habitat?

I assessed the direct influence of earthworm excretions, and the impact of earthworms through their action on the soil structure (increased macroporosity), on the population dynamics of the collembolan species Heteromurus nitidus. The intestinal content of Collembola arising from cultures on different soil types was observed, and two experimental cultures of H. nitidus were run: (1) a culture performed on an inert substrate supplied either with earthworm casts or with soil as food resource, (2) an experiment using microcosms with cores of two humus forms (moder and calcic mull), in the presence or absence of earthworms. The observation of gut contents revealed that H. nitidus feeds on excrements, the composition of which (ratio organic matter/mineral matter) varies according to the humus form where it lived. Slightly aged (10–15 days) organo-mineral casts of earthworms appeared to be a better food than calcic mull aggregates or organic material from moder. Densities of H. nitidus cultured in cores of calcic mull were higher than in moder, except when cores of moder were inhabited by an anecic earthworm for 2 months. The humus form strongly influenced populations of H. nitidus, firstly because densities of predators were higher in moder than in calcic mull, and probably also because of soil macroporosity. It was concluded that earthworms would affect predation on H. nitidus by creating a network of interconnected macropores in which Collembola can move and find shelter.     

Do earthworms (D. veneta) influence plant-available water in technogenic soil-like substrate from bricks and compost?

Purpose

Topsoil and peat are often taken from intact rural ecosystems to supply the urban demand for fertile soils and soil-like substrates. One way of reducing this exploitation is to recycle suitable urban wastes to produce Technosols and technogenic soil-like substrates. In this study, we investigate the role earthworms can play in impacting the hydraulic properties of such a soil-like substrate.

Materials and methods

In a 4-month microcosm experiment, the influence of the earthworm species D. veneta on the hydraulic properties of brick-compost mixture was examined. Of the ten boxes filled with ca. 11 dm³ of ground bricks (0.7 cm³ cm^?3) and green waste compost (0.3 cm³ cm^?3), five contained earthworms (W-boxes) and the remaining five were used as controls (C-boxes). The substrate was periodically irrigated and the weight of the boxes and of the drained water was monitored. At the same time, images were taken from the front of the boxes to quantify the activity of the earthworms by image analysis and soil aggregation was studied with micrographs. Before and after the experiment, water retention curves were determined from disturbed samples of the substrate using the simplified evaporation method.

Results and discussion

After 6 weeks, differences between the C- and the W-boxes were evident. Micrographs showed brick-compost aggregates only for the substrates processed by earthworms. The earthworm activity leads to reduced evaporation and an increased water content in the respective microcosms. The effect persists even after disturbing the substrate. The proportion of plant-available soil water is about 0.02 cm³ cm^?3 higher for the substrate processed by earthworms (0.250 ± 0.009 cm³ cm^?3) compared with the control (0.230 ± 0.008 cm³ cm^?3).

Conclusions

This study shows that earthworms are capable of ingesting and processing crushed bricks together with compost. The earthworms produced aggregates which persisted after disturbance and had a positive influence on the water retention capacity of such a soil-like substrate constructed from waste.

     

Does the influence of earthworms on water infiltration, nitrogen leaching and soil respiration depend on the initial soil bulk density? A mesocosm experiment with the endogeic species Metaphire posthuma

Soil compaction has a negative impact on both earthworm abundance and diversity. Recent studies, however, suggest that earthworm cast properties are not influenced by the initial soil bulk density. With time, earthworms could therefore transform soils with different bulk densities into a soil with the same physical state and thus with a similar ecological functioning. This study aimed to test this hypothesis in two laboratory incubation experiments. First, we measured the influence of soil bulk density (1.1 or 1.4?g?cm^?3) on the production of cast by the endogeic earthworm species Metaphire posthuma. In a second experiment, we investigated the effect of M. posthuma on water infiltration, NH ₄ ⁺ , and NO ₃ ^? leaching and soil respiration at the same two soil bulk densities. Although initially higher, earthworm casting activity in soil at 1.4?g?cm^?3 decreased until it reached the same level of activity as earthworms in soil at 1.1?g?cm^?3. This behavioral plasticity led to a transformation of compacted and loose soils, with their own functioning, to a third and similar state with similar hydraulic conductivity, nitrogen leaching, and soil respiration. The consequences for soil organization and soil functioning are discussed.     

氮素形态, 光合作用, 光呼吸

Under high light conditions, ammonium nutrition has a negative effect on plant growth. This suggests that the adverse effects of ammonium nutrition on plant growth may be related to carbon gain, photosynthesis, and photorespiration. However, there is no consistent evidence of a specific mechanism that could explain the plant growth reduction under ammonium supply. It is generally accepted that during the light reaction, a surplus of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide hydrogen phosphate （NADPH） is produced, which is not completely used during the assimilation of CO2, Nitrate reduc- tion in the leaf represents an additional sink for NADPH that is not available to ammonium-grown plants. Nitrate and ammonium nutrition may use different pathways for NADPH consumption, which leads to differences in photosynthesis and photorespiration. The morphological （i.e., cell size, mesophyll thickness, and chloroplast volume） and enzymic （i.e., ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase （Rubisco）, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase （PEPCase）, and glutamine synthetase/glutamate synthetase （GS/GOGAT）） differences that develop when plants are treated with either nitrate or ammonium nitrogen forms are related to photosynthesis and photorespiration. The differences in photorespiration rate for plants treated with nitrate or ammonium are related to the conversion of citrate to 2-oxoglutarate （2-OG） and photorespiratory CO2 refixation.     

Release Rates of Ammonium‐Nitrogen,Nitrate‐Nitrogen,Phosphorus, Potassium,Magnesium, Iron,and Manganese from Seven Controlled‐Release Fertilizers

Abstract

Samples of seven controlled‐release fertilizers, Nutricote Total 13–13–13, Nutricote Total 18–6–8, Osmocote Plus 15–9–12, Osmocote 13–13–13, Polyon 18–6–12, Polyon 14–14–14, and Plantacote 14–8–15, were placed in leaching columns containing acid‐washed sand. Samples of all leachates were analyzed weekly to determine release rates of ammonium‐nitrogen (N), nitrate‐N, phosphorus (P), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), and iron (Fe). Release rates for P from all products were slower than those for NH₄‐N, NO₃‐N, and K. Release of Mg, Mn, and Fe was very poor, with less than 50% of the total amount of each of these elements ever being released from the prills for some products. Nutricote products released Fe and Mn more effectively than did Osmocote or Plantacote.     

我国东部七省（闽,浙,赣,湘,鄂,苏,皖）生态系统对酸沉降的临界负 …

本文介绍了生态系统对酸沉隆的临界负荷的概念及一般确定过程。叙述了用ＭＡＧＩＣ区域数学模型求算临界负荷的方法，包括计算单元的选择、采样点的布设及样品的采集、土壤参数的确定、地表径流和地表水参数的研究以及临界负荷的计算方法。     

遥感,地图,地理信息系统一体化应用

遥感、地图和地理信息系统三者呈“你中有我，我中有你”的相辅相成关系。三者一体化应用使地球科学得以进展，又能在资料开发、环境保护、自然灾害监测评价等方面发挥重要作用。一体化应用的基础是掌握三者的学科－技术特性与相通关系。     

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本文从分析我国目前人口、资源、环境的现状出发，论述水土保持它们之间的关系，说明水土保持这一基本国策的重要性。