Earthworms and land reclamation

Earthworm Succession in Afforested Colliery Spoil Heaps in the Sokolov Region, Czech Republic

“…All earthworm species found on afforested spoil heaps under study have been extensively recorded as early, and the most successful, colonizers in a variety of habitats (Curry & Cotton 1983; Lee 1985; Dunger 1989; Pižl 1992). The most important species seem to be D. octaedra and L. rubellus , epigeic earthworms tolerant of a broad pH range.…”

“…Earthworms enhance the formation of soil structure and the incorporation and transformation of organic matter in soils, and their importance in improving physical and chemical properties of soil is generally accepted (Lee 1985; Marinissen & van der Bosch 1992; Edwards 1998). Therefore, colonization of earthworms could be useful in reclaiming new and restoring post‐mining land (Curry & Cotton 1983; Hoogerkamp et al 1983). However, unameliorated mining sites present conditions that are very hostile to soil animals, earthworms in particular, limiting reestablishment of populations due to a low content of organic matter, compaction, unfavorable moisture conditions, and often toxicity or extreme pH values of soil (Ma & Eijsackers 1989; Curry 1998).…”

Current and Potential Roles of Soil Macroinvertebrates (Earthworms, Millipedes, and Isopods) in Ecological Restoration

“…Management practices that remove surface organic and mineral soil layers are known to be detrimental to epigeic and anecic earthworms and can result in decline and local extinction of these populations; endogeic species may survive if subsoil disturbance is not severe and sources of organic matter are available (e.g., root inputs from grasses) (Lee 1985; Curry 1994). Consequently, recolonization by earthworms of devegetated bare sites is often inhibited by unsuitable moisture conditions, extremes in temperature, and lack of adequate food (Curry & Cotton 1983). In addition, acidity and heavy metal toxicity often characterize reclaimed mine spoils.…”

“…Irrigation, mulching, topsoiling, and application of lime and fertilizers (especially manure) can improve soil conditions and hence facilitate establishment of earthworm communities (Lee 1985; Curry 1994). Numerous studies have shown accelerated recolonization by earthworms following various combinations of amendments in base metal–contaminated soil heaps, mine spoils, and coal mining wastes (Curry & Cotton 1983). Earthworms required suitable pH in inoculations into capped landfills (Judd & Mason 1995; see also Butt 2008).…”

Assessing Bioindication with Earthworms in An Intensively Farmed Rural Landscape (Yuanqiao and Daqiao Villages in Qianjiang Municipality, Located in Hubei Province, Subtropical China)

“…Works by Edwards and Lofty (1977), Lee (1985Lee ( , 1992, and Edwards and Neuhauser (1988) provide an excellent evaluation of the contribution of earthworms to soil structure, fertility, and turnover. The density, biomass, species composition, agestructure, and vertical and horizontal distribution of earthworms have been studied in various countries and for different rural successions and land-use systems (Douglas et al, 1980;Horn, 1974;Dunger, 1968;Curry and Cotton, 1983;Bostrom, 1988;Marinissen, 1992;Block and Banage, 1968;Gates, 1976;Baker, 1983;Paoletti, 1988). StufÔes investigating the utility of earthworms as bioindicators for land-use include those of Paoletti (1988), Pizl (1992), Lavelle and Pashanasi (1989), Reid (1993), and Decaens et al (1994).…”