Abundance and distribution of earthworms in relation to landscape factors on the Georgia Piedmont, U.S.A.

Construction of an Electrical Device for Sampling Earthworm Populations in the Field

“…Although the efficiency of this machine is uncertain regarding the limited results presented here, the machine has been used extensively by other researchers who were satisfied with its performance (Bruce Snyder, personal communication). It is clear that our electroshocking methodology, at least when used in an agricultural setting, produced similar quantitative and qualitative results as compared to the higher time-consuming handsorting and formalin extraction methods used in other studies (Hendrix et al, 1992;Brown et al, 2003;Butt et al, 2004;Jordan et al, 2004;Whalen, 2004;Mijangos et al, 2006;Reeleder et al, 2006;Ferreira da Silva et al, 2006). The electroshocker method is more desirable than handsorting because it reduces the amount of labor involved and it is more environmentally friendly than chemical extraction.…”

“…Earthworm densities at the WQRS were comparable to densities found in nearby no-tillage and conventional tillage systems (Hendrix et al, 1992), as well as in organically and inorganically fertilized systems (Mijangos et al 2006). Numerous studies have also shown significantly greater earthworm abundance under no-tillage or pasture compared to conventional tillage (Brown et al, 2003;Whalen, 2004;Reeleder et al, 2006;Ferreira da Silva et al, 2006) and/or greater abundance with organic matter or manure additions compared with inorganic fertilizers or no nutrient amendments (Butt et al, 2004;Jordan et al, 2004).…”

Earthworm (Lumbricidae) assemblages of forest ecosystems in the anthropogenically

“…attained increased abundance and biomass due to the high content of organic matter. Moreover, the potentially large supply of organic matter in mounds with favourable carbon-to-nitrogen ratios creates a condition for the increased occurrence of earthworms (Huhta 1976), as the insufficiency of soil nitrogen seems to be a limiting factor for earthworm populations (Satchell, Lowe 1967;Hendrix et al 1992). Over the long-term (e.g.…”

Effects of cattle manure compost combined with chemical fertilizer on topsoil organic matter, bulk density and earthworm activity in a wheat–maize rotation system in Eastern China

“…However, another report found inorganic fertilizers had positive effect on earthworms, which might be realized by increasing the amount of plant biomass, thereby increasing their food supply (Edwards and Lofty, 1982). Decreased CF with increasing organic fertilizer compost resulted in higher SOM content which could increase earthworm activity, and in turn, earthworms increased SOM level by incorporating surface organic manure into the soil (Hendrix et al, 1992;Lee, 1985). Our study confirmed these findings (Table 2 and Fig.…”