Can earthworms simultaneously enhance decomposition and stabilization of plant residue carbon?

Lubbers, Ingrid M.; Pulleman, Mirjam; Groenigen, J.W. van

doi:10.1016/j.soilbio.2016.11.008

Cited by 96 publications

(40 citation statements)

References 60 publications

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“…The current study also indicated that the earthworm activity in soils had no effect on the cumulative CO 2 emissions for 32 days. A previous quantitative review reported that the earthworm presence increased soil CO 2 emissions by 33% on average, but the results also stated that the data from the short-term (< 30 days) studies were markedly variable [48,49]. Also, we did not observe clear differences in CO 2 emissions between samples with and without earthworms.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 53%

The Role of Different Earthworm Species (Metaphire Hilgendorfi and Eisenia Fetida) on CO2 Emissions and Microbial Biomass during Barley Decomposition

Hamamoto

Uchida

2019

Sustainability

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Earthworms are commonly known as essential modifiers of soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycles, but the effects of their species on nutrient cycles and interaction with soil microbial activities during the decomposition of organic materials remain unclear. We conducted an incubation experiment to investigate the effect of two different epigeic earthworms (M. hilgendorfi and E. fetida) on C and N concentrations and related enzyme activities in agricultural soils with added barley residues (ground barley powder). To achieve this, four treatments were included; (1) M. hilgendorfi and barley, (2) E. fetida and barley, (3) barley without earthworms, and (4) without earthworms and without barley. After 32 days incubation, we measured soil pH, inorganic N, microbial biomass C (MBC), water or hot-water soluble C, and soil enzyme activities. We also measured CO2 emissions during the incubation. Our results indicated the earthworm activity in soils had no effect on the cumulative CO2 emissions. However, M. hilgendorfi had a potential to accumulate MBC (2.9 g kg −1 soil) and nitrate-N (39 mg kg −1 soil), compared to E. fetida (2.5 g kg −1 soil and 14 mg kg −1 soil, respectively). In conclusion, the interaction between soil microbes and earthworm is influenced by earthworm species, consequently influencing the soil C and N dynamics.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 53%

The Role of Different Earthworm Species (Metaphire Hilgendorfi and Eisenia Fetida) on CO2 Emissions and Microbial Biomass during Barley Decomposition

Hamamoto

Uchida

2019

Sustainability

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“…Among these grasslands, especially semi-dry, nutrient-poor meadows represent particularly species-rich plant agroecosystems inhabiting many rare and protected plant and animal species (Bohner et al, 2003;Wilson et al, 2012). To protect these species-rich grasslands, regular extensive management is an important measure for nature conservation (Bohner et al, 2003;Lundber et al, 2017;Moog et al, 2002). However, socio-economic trends have led to a decline of traditional farming practices (Hejcman et al, 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of land-use change in mountain semi-dry meadows on plants, litter decomposition and earthworms

et al. 2019

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Abstract. Traditionally managed mountain grasslands are biodiversity hotspots in central Europe. However, socio-economic trends in agriculture during the last decades have changed farming practices, leaving steep and remote sites abandoned. Especially the abandonment of meadows is well known to directly affect plant and insect diversity. However, not much is known about the effects on soil processes and soil biota. To assess this, we studied four extensively managed (mown once a year, no fertilization) and four abandoned (no mowing, no fertilization) semi-dry meadows in a mountain region in Austria. Plant species richness, plant cover, plant traits, plant biomass, litter decomposition (tea bag index), and earthworm species richness and density were assessed. Additionally, soil temperature, moisture and electrical conductivity were measured. Results showed that managed meadows contained more plant species than abandoned meadows (118 vs. 93 species, respectively). We also observed different plant species assemblages between the two management types. In managed meadows, hemirosette and ruderal plant species were more abundant, while more plant species without rosettes and a higher plant necromass were found in abandoned meadows. Additionally, decomposition rate was higher in abandoned meadows. There was a trend towards higher earthworm densities in managed meadows, but there was no difference in earthworm species richness. We conclude that meadow management has effects on both aboveground vegetation and belowground biota and processes. Both abandoned and extensively managed meadows were important to sustain overall biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in the study region.

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“…fraction) as some intrinsic variables of the soil for their respective formation, supported by the inverse correlations between this category of aggregates in edaphic properties such as the content of silts, SM, pH, EA, Al, CEC and K (Table 5). In different studies (Loss et al, 2014;Batista et al, 2013;Pulleman et al, 2005) the relationship between biogenic macroaggregates and elements contents in the soil has been observed, such as Ca, working as a cementing agent, situation not presented in this study (Table 5). However, in the case of Na, there was a relationship (r = 0.34; p-value < 0.05) with biogenic macroaggregates.…”

Section: Relationship and Covariation Between The Formation Of Aggregmentioning

confidence: 53%

Formation of Macroaggregates and Organic Carbon in Cocoa Agroforestry Systems

2019

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The objective of this study was to analyze the biological contribution to macroaggregate formation under cocoa agroforestry systems, as well as to evaluate the potential of macroaggregates to store carbon. The variation of the populations of macrofauna and the relationship with the morphology of aggregates was monitored in five agroforestry systems associated with cocoa established from different land uses, taking as reference the forest and pasture. Some cacao agroforestry systems favored the presence of macrofauna functional groups similar to the forest (p < 0.05). According to the principal component analysis, the effect of land use on macroaggregate formation is highly significant (p < 0.001) and explained 55% of the total variance. The macrofauna and macroaggregates showed significant covariation (RV = 0.22, p-value = 0.001). Biogenic macroaggregates contained more carbon when they came from agroforestry systems.

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Can earthworms simultaneously enhance decomposition and stabilization of plant residue carbon?

Cited by 96 publications

References 60 publications

The Role of Different Earthworm Species (Metaphire Hilgendorfi and Eisenia Fetida) on CO2 Emissions and Microbial Biomass during Barley Decomposition

The Role of Different Earthworm Species (Metaphire Hilgendorfi and Eisenia Fetida) on CO2 Emissions and Microbial Biomass during Barley Decomposition

Impact of land-use change in mountain semi-dry meadows on plants, litter decomposition and earthworms

Formation of Macroaggregates and Organic Carbon in Cocoa Agroforestry Systems

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