Effects of earthworm invasion on morphology, carbon, and nitrogen of a forest soil

Alban, David H.; Berry, E. C.

doi:10.1016/0929-1393(94)90015-9

Cited by 178 publications

(102 citation statements)

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“…These effects have been observed at sites where earthworms have invaded that had no prior earthworm activity (Bohlen et al 2004;Alban and Berry 1994) and might contribute to short turnover times at the MI sites. However, differences in macrobiotic activity cannot explain differences in carbon dynamics between MA-HF and NH-BF.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Comparison of soil organic matter dynamics at five temperate deciduous forests with physical fractionation and radiocarbon measurements

et al. 2012

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Forest soils represent a significant pool for carbon sequestration and storage, but the factors controlling soil carbon cycling are not well constrained. We compared soil carbon dynamics at five broadleaf forests in the Eastern US that vary in climate, soil type, and soil ecology: two sites at the University of Michigan Biological Station (MI-Coarse, sandy; MI-Fine, loamy); Bartlett Experimental Forest (NH-BF); Harvard Forest (MA-HF); and Baskett Wildlife Recreation and Education Area (MO-OZ). We quantified soil carbon stocks and measured bulk soil radiocarbon to at least 60 cm depth. We determined surface (0-15 cm) soil carbon distribution and turnover times in free light (unprotected), occluded light (intra-aggregate), and dense (mineral-associated) soil fractions. Total soil carbon stocks ranged from 55 ± 4 to 229 ± 42 Mg C ha -1 and were lowest at MI-Coarse and MO-OZ and highest at MI-Fine and NH-BF. Differences in climate only partly explained differences in soil organic matter 14 C and mean turnover times, which were 75-260 year for free-light fractions, 70-625 year for occluded-light fractions, and 90-480 year for dense fractions. Turnover times were shortest at the warmest site, but longest at the northeastern sites (NH-BF and MA-HF), rather than the coldest sites (MI-Coarse and MI-Fine). Soil texture, mineralogy, drainage, and macrofaunal activity may be at least as important as climate in determining soil carbon dynamics in temperate broadleaf forests.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Comparison of soil organic matter dynamics at five temperate deciduous forests with physical fractionation and radiocarbon measurements

et al. 2012

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“…In phase I, both earthworm species enhanced the formation of macroaggregates 42,000 mm (F ¼ 7.43, P ¼ 0.024), which increased total organic C (TOC) storage and 15 N abundance (F ¼ 73.01, Po0.001) in that fraction. Further, A. agrestis reduced TOC storage in aggregate fractions of 250-2,000 mm (P ¼ 0.001), 53-250 mm (P ¼ 0.037) and floatable particulate organic matter (FPOM) (P ¼ 0.002), but only increased the 15 N abundance in FPOM (P ¼ 0.005). Similarly, L. rubellus reduced TOC storage in fractions of 250-2,000 mm (P ¼ 0.027) and FPOM (P ¼ 0.012), but only produced a non-significant increase of 15 N in FPOM (P ¼ 0.091).…”

Section: -30 CM (Refsmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…One of the major ways that earthworms impact C cycling is to regulate the soil aggregation process 9,10 . Notably, the aforementioned unequal C processes were also manifested in changes of C distribution among aggregate fractions and in the respective humification intensity (soil organic matter gradually becomes 15 N-enriched as humification proceeds; ref. 23) (Fig.…”

Section: -30 CM (Refsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Similarly, L. rubellus reduced TOC storage in fractions of 250-2,000 mm (P ¼ 0.027) and FPOM (P ¼ 0.012), but only produced a non-significant increase of 15 N in FPOM (P ¼ 0.091). The changing patterns of 15 N abundance suggest that earthworms have limited capacity to enhance the humification (and, thus, the associated mineralization) of highly humified aggregate fractions. As a result, earthworms disrupted the C distribution in aggregates and stored more C in the highly stable macroaggregate fraction 24 .…”

Section: -30 CM (Refsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In contrast, the effects of earthworms on C stabilization (C sta-w ) may be underestimated. A 14-year field study, which reported that earthworms decreased soil carbon storage by 600 kg per ha per year, appears to provide solid evidence that earthworms continuously reduce carbon storage 15 . However, this result may need to be re-considered.…”

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Earthworms facilitate carbon sequestration through unequal amplification of carbon stabilization compared with mineralization

et al. 2013

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A recent review concluded that earthworm presence increases CO 2 emissions by 33% but does not affect soil organic carbon stocks. However, the findings are controversial and raise new questions. Here we hypothesize that neither an increase in CO 2 emission nor in stabilized carbon would entirely reflect the earthworms' contribution to net carbon sequestration. We show how two widespread earthworm invaders affect net carbon sequestration through impacts on the balance of carbon mineralization and carbon stabilization. Earthworms accelerate carbon activation and induce unequal amplification of carbon stabilization compared with carbon mineralization, which generates an earthworm-mediated 'carbon trap'. We introduce the new concept of sequestration quotient to quantify the unequal processes. The patterns of CO 2 emission and net carbon sequestration are predictable by comparing sequestration quotient values between treatments with and without earthworms. This study clarifies an ecological mechanism by which earthworms may regulate the terrestrial carbon sink.

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Soil Formation

Breemen¹,

Buurman²

2002

163

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Effects of earthworm invasion on morphology, carbon, and nitrogen of a forest soil

Cited by 178 publications

References 4 publications

Comparison of soil organic matter dynamics at five temperate deciduous forests with physical fractionation and radiocarbon measurements

Comparison of soil organic matter dynamics at five temperate deciduous forests with physical fractionation and radiocarbon measurements

Earthworms facilitate carbon sequestration through unequal amplification of carbon stabilization compared with mineralization

Soil Formation

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