Nitrogen source and earthworm abundance affected runoff volume and nutrient loss in a tilled-corn agroecosystem

Shuster, William D.; McDonald, Lucius; McCartney, Daryl; Parmelee, Robert W.; Studer, N. S.; Stinner, Benjamin R.

doi:10.1007/s00374-002-0474-4

Cited by 28 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…In Ohio, the increase in infiltration rate due to anecic earthworm burrows reduced soil erosion by 50 % (Shuster et al 2002). In Vietnam on an experimental field with 40 % slope, biogenic aggregates of Amynthas khami were responsible for a 75 % decrease in runoff (Jouquet et al 2007).…”

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confidence: 99%

“…However, this negative effect resulted from a dramatic population increase of one particular species after the land use was changed from forest to pasture in Brazil (Chauvel et al 1999). Earthworm species that create water stable casts reduce soil sensitivity to splash effects and runoff, but this may reduce water infiltration by increasing surface bulk density (Reddell and Spain 1991b;Blanchart et al 1999;Chauvel et al 1999;Shuster et al 2002). These contradictions between the results about the impact of earthworms on soil structure, water infiltration, and soil erosion are probably due to the fact that this impact depends on the following: (1) the rainfall regime, (2) earthworm abundance, (3) earthworm species, and (4) the amount of organic matter available at soil surface (Blanchart et al 1997;Hallaire et al 2000).…”

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confidence: 99%

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Earthworm services for cropping systems. A review

Bertrand

Barot

Blouin

et al. 2015

Agron. Sustain. Dev.

263

143

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Intensive agriculture is often criticized for negative impacts on environment and human health. This issue may be solved by a better management of organisms living in crop fields. Here, we review the benefits of earthworms for crops, and we present techniques to increase earthworm abundance. The major points are the following: (1) Earthworms usually improve soil structural stability and soil porosity and reduce runoff. (2) Earthworms modify soil organic matter (SOM) and nutrient cycling. Specifically, earthworms stabilize SOM fractions within their casts, and they also increase the mineralization of organic matter in the short term by altering physical protection within aggregates and enhancing microbial activity. (3) The positive correlation between earthworm abundance and crop production is not systematic, and contrasting effects on yields have been observed. Earthworms induce the production of hormone-like substances that improve plant growth and health. (4) Direct drilling increases earthworm abundance and species diversity, but the beneficial effect of reduced tillage depends upon the species present and tillage intensity. (5) Organic amendments enhance earthworm abundance. (6) Earthworms feeding at soil surface are the most exposed to pesticides and other agrochemicals. Finally, we discuss how to combine management practices, including inoculation, to increase the earthworm services. We conclude that using earthworm services in cropping systems has potential to boost agricultural sustainability.

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confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Earthworm services for cropping systems. A review

Bertrand

Barot

Blouin

et al. 2015

Agron. Sustain. Dev.

263

143

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“…In accordance with our first assumption, the K-factor remains unchanged (Et A(R) = 1) when, applying both factors (Equations 2 and 3), earthworm abundance and richness are null. At the opposite extreme, the K-factor halves (50% reduction, Et A(R) = .5) when abundance and richness are at their maximum (Sharpley, Syers, & Springett, 1979;Shuster et al, 2002). Considering the first equation (Equation 2) and our second assumption, the Et-factor weights the abundance and richness differentially.…”

Section: In Corp or Ating Soil Ecology Into Soil Eros I On Modellingmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Other groups of organisms have much more complex effects on soil loss. For instance, the burrowing activity of earthworms can reduce erosion by favouring water infiltration (Shuster et al, 2002).…”

Section: Controver S Ial Rel Ations Hip B E T Ween B I Od Iver S Itmentioning

confidence: 99%

Soil biodiversity and soil erosion: It is time to get married

Orgiazzi

Panagos

2018

Global Ecol Biogeogr

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Aim The relationship between erosion and biodiversity is reciprocal. Soil organisms can both reduce soil loss, by improving porosity, and increase it, by diminishing soil stability as a result of their mixing activities. Simultaneously, soil runoff has ecological impacts on belowground communities. Despite clear research into interactions, soil erosion models do not consider biodiversity in their estimates and soil ecology has poorly investigated the effects of erosion. In order to start filling in these research gaps, we present a novel biological factor and introduce it into a well‐known soil erosion model (the revised universal soil loss equation). Furthermore, we propose insights to advance soil erosion ecology. Location Pan‐European. Time period Simulation of present‐day conditions. Major taxa studied Earthworms. Methods We present three pathways to fill in current knowledge gaps in soil biodiversity and erosion studies: (a) introducing a biological factor into soil erosion models; (b) developing plot‐scale experiments to clarify and quantify the positive/negative effects of soil organisms on erosion; (c) promoting ecological studies to assess both short‐ and long‐term effects of soil erosion on soil biota. Results We develop a biological factor to be included in soil erosion modelling. Thanks to available data on earthworm diversity (richness and abundance), we generate an “earthworm factor”, incorporate it into a model of soil erosion and produce the first pan‐European maps of it. Main conclusions New estimates of soil loss can be generated by including biological factors in soil erosion models. At the same time, the effects of soil loss on belowground diversity require further investigation. Available data and technologies make both processes possible. We think that it is time to commit to fostering the fundamental, although complex, relationship between soil biodiversity and erosion.

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“…However, the relationship between soil erosion and soil biodiversity is complex (Orgiazzi & Panagos, 2018). The burrowing activity of earthworms or the dense networks of mycorrhizal fungi can reduce the amount of soil eroded by rain or windstorms by keeping soil aggregates more compacted (Burri et al, 2013;Shuster et al, 2002). However, cast production by some earthworm species can also accelerate erosion processes, since cast material could be easily moved away by water (Shipitalo & Protz, 1987).…”

Section: Availability Of Information On Current Soil Biodiversity Conmentioning

confidence: 99%

Common ground: restoring land health for sustainable agriculture

Larbodière¹,

Davies²,

Schmidt³

et al. 2020

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Common ground: restoring land health for sustainable agriculture 3. Establish targets and indicators at national and global levels for sustainable agriculture Adoption of sustainable agriculture approaches should be up-scaled by establishing clear targets for sustainability metrics. More specifically, the agriculture sector should aim for a net-positive impact on key indicators of biodiversity by 2030, including the stabilisation of the total land area under agriculture, increase of biodiversity in agricultural landscapes, and reduced pollution and greenhouse gas emission. These indicators should complement socioeconomic data on incomes, employment, poverty reduction, and livelihood resilience, especially for those most in need, including youth and women. 4. Reward ecosystem services to incentivise sustainable farming The global transition to sustainable agriculture requires a shift from thinking of agriculture in terms of 'food, fibre and fuel' (and other products), to thinking in terms of 'production, water, climate and nature' (and other services). The agriculture sector's overriding policy goal should be to enhance the overall value of farming, promoting all values of agricultural soil, land and landscapes and the services provided to society, and putting in place relevant regulations and incentives. Innovative incentives and de-risking measures need to be designed and tested, which requires creative and coherent policy frameworks. 5. Promote change throughout the global food system to enhance sustainability Restoring and conserving soil and land health must be promoted as an integral part of wider system transformation, focusing on national and international policy convergence to connect soils and land health with sustainable and healthy diets. Public subsidies and private financial flows should be redirected from conventional to more sustainable agriculture, while unlocking factors that block the transformation, such as input subsidies, specialisation of systems, standardised supply chains, and power asymmetries. Greater attention should be given to responsible landscape and supply chain investments that protect healthy soils and reward sustainable farming practices. 6. Build consensus on environmental stewardship in the agricultural sector Dialogue between the agriculture and conservation communities must be intensified at local, national and international levels. The agriculture sector need improved information on the ecological and living nature of soils as natural capital. Conservation actors need greater appreciation of sustainable agriculture as a solution for increasing biodiversity, and agricultural landscapes as an opportunity to expand global conservation area coverage. New or adapted institutions may be required to incentivise action and secure sustainability outcomes at the agroecosystem or landscape level. xii Common ground: restoring land health for sustainable agriculture We wish to express our sincere thanks to our peer reviewers Bruce Campbell (CGIAR: Consultative Group on International Agr...

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Nitrogen source and earthworm abundance affected runoff volume and nutrient loss in a tilled-corn agroecosystem

Cited by 28 publications

References 19 publications

Earthworm services for cropping systems. A review

Earthworm services for cropping systems. A review

Soil biodiversity and soil erosion: It is time to get married

Common ground: restoring land health for sustainable agriculture

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