Soil temperature and moisture-based estimation of rates of soil aggregate formation by the endogeic earthworm Eisenia japonica (Michaelsen, 1892)

Kaneda, Satoshi; Ohkubo, Shinji; Wagai, Rota; Yagasaki, Yasumi

doi:10.1007/s00374-016-1119-3

Cited by 10 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…The increase in AG L content with increased burrowing area confirmed the positive effects of earthworm activity on soil aggregation. Numerous studies found that earthworm aggregate formation decreased when the soil changed from wet to dry along with reduced burrowing and casting activities [9,[20][21][22]43]. Part of our findings was consistent with those studies, in that AG L content was highest in High moisture for 0-5 cm, but at 5-10 cm and 10-15 cm depths, it was highest in Low moisture treatment.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

“…Aggregate formation is one of the typical functions of earthworms that influence soil hydrological processes. Earthworm casting activity is well-known for its great influences on soil aggregate formation [21,42]. The increase in AG L content with increased burrowing area confirmed the positive effects of earthworm activity on soil aggregation.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 62%

“…After the earthworms were added, soil moisture was supplied at three different levels. The optimum soil moisture condition for Eisenia earthworms is 60-70% of the water holding capacity [21]. In this study, 70% of the field water capacity was set as the "Medium" water treatment, while 90% and 50% were set as the "High" and "Low" water treatments, respectively.…”

Section: Experimental Designmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Some studies have shown that aggregation due to casting activities is related to soil moisture [6,20]. A model developed based on earthworm biomass, soil moisture, and temperature estimated that the soil aggregate formation rate by earthworms increased with higher soil water potential [21]. Hindell et al [22] found that earthworm casting activity was greatest at a high soil water potential of 0 to −2 kPa in a gradient of low to high (from −25 kPa to −2 kPa) water potential.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Earthworm Burrowing Activity and Its Effects on Soil Hydraulic Properties under Different Soil Moisture Conditions from the Loess Plateau, China

2020

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Earthworm activity has become more important in the Loess Plateau, where hydrological processes are crucial for ecosystem sustainability. In this study, we conducted a laboratory microcosm experiment to determine the various burrowing activities of Eisenia fetida and their impact on the soil hydraulic properties in response to different levels of soil moisture (50%, 70%, 90% of field capacity) in two common soil types (loessial and Lou soil) obtained from the Loess Plateau. Burrowing activity of E. fetida increased with higher soil moisture and was greater in loessial than in Lou soil. Most burrowing activities occurred within the top 5 cm and decreased with increasing soil depth. Macropores and burrow branching, which are highly related to the earthworm burrowing, were more prevalent in wetter soil. Earthworms significantly altered the formation of large soil aggregates (AGL, diameter >2 mm) under different soil moistures and depths. Distinct earthworm burrowing activities, controlled by soil moisture, altered soil hydraulic properties. However, soil saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) showed little differences between different treatments due to the horizontal and high–branched burrows of E. fetida, although higher burrowing activities were found in wetter soil. Soil field capacity was highest in drier soil due to the less macropores and burrowing activities.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 62%

Section: Experimental Designmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Earthworm Burrowing Activity and Its Effects on Soil Hydraulic Properties under Different Soil Moisture Conditions from the Loess Plateau, China

2020

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“…Excluded the stress caused by the experimental conditions in weight loss because prolifi cacy was high. Many studies have shown that earthworms gain or lose weight depending on environmental moisture [17][18][19]. Richardson et al (2009) [20] found that the species Amynthas agrestis (Goto and Hatai 1899) survived with more success in higher temperatures of soil when the moisture of soil was appropriate, which increased the survival of the species and decreased the weight loss, and the maintenance of the fresh body weight depends on moisture degree of soil.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Survival, Weight, and Prolificacy of Eisenia fetida (Savigny 1826) in Relation to Food Type and Several Soil Parameters

Iordache¹

2018

Pol. J. Environ. Stud.

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Biotic and abiotic controls on carbon storage in aggregates in calcareous alpine and prealpine grassland soils

et al. 2020

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Alpine and prealpine grasslands provide various ecosystem services and are hotspots for the storage of soil organic C (SOC) in Central Europe. Yet, information about aggregate-related SOC storage and its controlling factors in alpine and prealpine grassland soils is limited. In this study, the SOC distribution according to the aggregate size classes large macroaggregates (> 2000 μm), small macroaggregates (250–2000 μm), microaggregates (63–250 μm), and silt-/clay-sized particles (< 63 μm) was studied in grassland soils along an elevation gradient in the Northern Limestone Alps of Germany. This was accompanied by an analysis of earthworm abundance and biomass according to different ecological niches. The SOC and N stocks increased with elevation and were associated with relatively high proportions of water-stable macroaggregates due to high contents of exchangeable Ca2+ and Mg2+. At lower elevations, earthworms appeared to act as catalyzers for a higher microaggregate formation. Thus, SOC stabilization by aggregate formation in the studied soils is a result of a joined interaction of organic matter and Ca2+ as binding agents for soil aggregates (higher elevations), and the earthworms that act as promoters of aggregate formation through the secretion of biogenic carbonates (low elevation). Our study highlights the importance of aggregate-related factors as potential indices to evaluate the SOC storage potential in other mountainous grassland soils.Graphical abstract

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Soil temperature and moisture-based estimation of rates of soil aggregate formation by the endogeic earthworm Eisenia japonica (Michaelsen, 1892)

Cited by 10 publications

References 22 publications

Earthworm Burrowing Activity and Its Effects on Soil Hydraulic Properties under Different Soil Moisture Conditions from the Loess Plateau, China

Earthworm Burrowing Activity and Its Effects on Soil Hydraulic Properties under Different Soil Moisture Conditions from the Loess Plateau, China

Survival, Weight, and Prolificacy of Eisenia fetida (Savigny 1826) in Relation to Food Type and Several Soil Parameters

Biotic and abiotic controls on carbon storage in aggregates in calcareous alpine and prealpine grassland soils

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