Article
Agronomy
Anne-Maimiti Dulaurent, David Houben, Nicolas Honvault, Michel-Pierre Faucon, Matthieu Chauvat
Summary: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of conservation agriculture on soil mesofauna and macrofauna communities. The results showed that conservation agriculture systems had significant effects on soil mesofauna and macrofauna communities compared to conventional systems. Conservation agriculture systems could improve the abundance of earthworms and Collembola, providing an innovative opportunity for sustainable crop production through the preservation of soil fauna.
Article
Soil Science
Elsa Arrazola-Vasquez, Mats Larsbo, Yvan Capowiez, Astrid Taylor, Maria Sandin, Daniel Iseskog, Thomas Keller
Summary: The impact of soil compaction on the burrowing activity of different earthworm species is species-dependent, and it affects important soil processes such as water infiltration, soil aeration, nutrient cycling, and soil organic matter turnover.
APPLIED SOIL ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Zita Bednar, Anna Vaupel, Simon Bluemel, Nadine Herwig, Bernd Hommel, Verena Haberlah-Korr, Lukas Beule
Summary: Flower strip mixtures with different plant species and durations have varying effects on soil biodiversity and microbial communities. Perennial flower strip mixtures can increase earthworm and soil microbial abundance and diversity, while annual flower strips have limited effects. In addition, non-tilled planting methods are beneficial for the diversity and relative abundance of soil fungi.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Tao Li, Jie-Qun Fan, Hua-Wei Qian, Ji-Hui Wei, Zhen-Guan Qian, Shui-Liang Guo, Wei-Guang Lv
Summary: In this study, a four-year investigation on taro-earthworm coculture farming showed that using a unique crop-earthworm model can increase taro yield, economic value and net income. The activities of earthworms reduced the weed seed bank, mitigated weed infestation, and decreased the need for weeding. This research demonstrates the ecosystem services provided by earthworms in agricultural systems, and how the coculture of taro and earthworms enhances crop production by reducing weed infestation and improving environmental quality.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
R. G. Jacques, G. Allison, P. Shaw, G. W. Griffith, J. Scullion
Summary: The interaction between Eisenia fetida and Collembola in composting processes affects respiration and soluble nutrients, with antagonistic effects in the early stages and synergistic effects in the later stages. Different invertebrate groups accessing feedstock at appropriate stages is important in vermicomposting practice.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sophie Joimel, Antonin Jules, Laure Vieuble Gonod
Summary: This article reviews 75 articles on soil collembola in an urban context, finding that soil properties and landscape characteristics influence soil communities. There is a need for more connectivity between green urban spaces to allow the dispersion of collembola.
ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hu Li, Xiao-Ru Yang, Juan Wang, Guo-Wei Zhou, Yu-Sen Zhang, Simon Bo Lassen, Yong-Guan Zhu, Jian-Qiang Su
Summary: Soil fauna play an important role in nutrient cycling in terrestrial ecosystems. This study investigated the activity and community of anammox bacteria in earthworm guts and soils, finding that anammox rates in guts were significantly higher than in surrounding soils, while abundances of hzsB genes in guts were lower than in soils. Earthworms were shown to reduce anammox and denitrification-associated N loss by altering the community compositions of anammox bacteria in soils.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Stanko Vrsic, Marko Breznik, Borut Pulko, Jesus Rodrigo-Comino
Summary: The study showed that different soil management practices significantly impact the environmental conditions of the soil, particularly in the upper soil layer (up to 15 cm deep), affecting the abundance of the earthworm community. Some practices need to be adapted according to climate, weather conditions, and human impacts.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Mengting Qiu, Zishan Wu, Jiajin Song, Conglai Zheng, Xiuping Zhan, Mei Shan, Minrong Cui, Liezhong Chen, Luqing Zhang, Yunlong Yu, Hua Fang
Summary: The study found that fungicide residues had an impact on the earthworm gut microbiome and antibiotic resistance gene profile, leading to an increase in the abundance of ARGs. The fungicide also reduced bacterial diversity, increased the relative abundance of potential ARG hosts, and enhanced plasmid-mediated ARG transfer frequency.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2024)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Pedro M. Pedro, Laury Cullen Jr, Fabiana Prado, Alexandre Uezu, Ross Piper, Christiana M. A. Faria, Christoph Knogge, Maria Tereza Pepe Razzolini, Marcela B. Paiva, Milena Dropa, Miriam Silva, Tatiane Cristina Rech, Thomas Puttker
Summary: Collembola are widely used for monitoring soil health and functional parameters. Recent developments in high throughput sequencing, particularly metabarcoding, have greatly enhanced the potential of using Collembola for these purposes. The researchers designed a primer set that amplifies a highly conserved region of Collembola DNA while excluding other invertebrate taxa. This primer set successfully differentiated Collembola communities in different forest sites, indicating its diagnostic power. By increasing the accessibility of Collembola metabarcoding, this new tool greatly enhances the ability to assess habitat quality.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2023)
Review
Agronomy
M. A. D. A. L. I. N. A. Iordache
Summary: Earthworms dominate the soil biota and their feeding and casting activities have significant impacts on the microbiological and biogeochemical cycles of the soil. The complexity of chemical relationships within earthworm casts highlights their important contribution to soil sustainability.
PLANT SOIL AND ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Ecology
S. Emilia Hannula, Renske Jongen, Elly Morrien
Summary: This study investigated the effects of 49 fungal species on soil aggregation and found that fungal traits and their interactions with soil grazers play an important role in soil aggregation.
Article
Soil Science
Xin Gong, Dingyi Wang, Maogang Xu, Yan Du, Xiaoyun Chen, Feng Hu, Manqiang Liu
Summary: Resource limitation hinders soil biota to sustain multiple ecosystem functions. Earthworms are known for their ecotype diversity and the ability to accelerate nutrient cycling. However, the roles of earthworm ecotype diversity in alleviating soil resource limitations have yet to be discovered.
SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jie Han, Yuwei Huang, Jun Meng, Changyou Fan, Fan Yang, Hao Tan, Jiao Zhang
Summary: The study found that earthworms strongly avoided soil containing 7.5% to 15% RSB, while no significant differences were observed in growth and survival rates at 5% concentration. The application of 5% RSB decreases the activities of digestion-related enzymes and leads to abnormalities in intestinal epithelial tissue.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Soil Science
Shareen K. D. Sanders, Gerard Martinez-De Leon, Ludovico Formenti, Madhav P. Thakur
Summary: Collembolans, the diverse group of soil invertebrates, are affected by anthropogenic climate warming, which alters their diversity and density. In addition to abiotic stressors, changes in food availability, specifically the abundance of saprotrophic and mycorrhizal fungi, influence Collembola responses to climate warming. Collembolans prefer saprotrophic fungi but rely on mycorrhizal fungi when food sources are scarce. Understanding the mechanisms behind these dietary shifts in warm-dry and warm-wet soil conditions is crucial for predicting the impact of climate change on Collembola-fungal interactions.
SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
(2024)
Article
Plant Sciences
Wei Han, Lidong Huang, Olugbenga John Owojori
JOURNAL OF PLANT NUTRITION
(2020)
Article
Zoology
Michel Mathurin Kamdem, Albert Ngakou, Nicolas Yanou Njintang, Patricks Voua Otomo
Summary: This study investigated the litter consumption of the African nightcrawler earthworm Eudrilus eugeniae under different tropical conditions using DNA barcoding to identify specimens. The results showed that litter consumption significantly increased in refuse disposal and agricultural soils compared to other soil types, with optimum moisture levels between 24% and 50%. Litter type did not affect consumption rate, but higher population density led to increased litter mass loss. The study suggests that habitat components and population density determine litter consumption rates of E. eugeniae, which have a strong direct effect on the decomposition of plant materials.
INTEGRATIVE ZOOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
V. Ralph Clark, Geofrey Mukwada, Melissa Hansen, Sam Adelabu, Grey Magaiza, Aliza le Roux, Emile Bredenhand, Patricks Voua Otomo, Sandy-Lynn Steenhuisen, Angelinus Franke, Johan van Tol, Neo Mathinya, Rodwell Makombe
Summary: In order to achieve a sustainable future for southern African mountains as social-ecological systems, there is a need for increased research investment, strengthened interdisciplinary collaboration, and foundational research in areas with limited capacity. Moreover, key factors for advancing solution-oriented research include improved coordination within similar disciplines, investment in emerging young researchers, and building strong relationships to maximize synergy. The Afromontane Research Unit is leading these efforts for the region.
MOUNTAIN RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Sanele Michelle Mnkandla, Patricks Voua Otomo
Summary: Mycofiltration, an environmentally friendly technology, involves treating contaminated water with fungal mycelium. This systematic review protocol aims to compile literature, evaluate removal efficiency, and inform further research.
ENVIRONMENTAL EVIDENCE
(2021)
Article
Area Studies
Oliver Nyambi, Patricks Voua Otomo
Summary: The recent interdisciplinary humanities studies have highlighted the significance of nature, climate crisis, and the Anthropocene. In South Africa, there is a lack of focus on literature in African languages. Nyambi and Otomo's research on Bhekinkosi Ntuli's work examines how the tropes of nature, nostalgia, and dystopia challenge normative understandings of ecological crises.
AFRICAN STUDIES REVIEW
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Palesa Andile Adrena Tsotesti, Simangele Sandra Mazibuko, Ngitheni Winnie-Kate Nyoka, Sanele Michelle Mnkandla, Tanya Fouche, Patricks Voua Otomo
Summary: A major concern in ecotoxicology is the impact of pesticides on non-target organisms. This study evaluated the potential risk of the widely used neonicotinoid insecticide imidacloprid (IMI) on the behavior of mosquito larvae and earthworms. The results showed that IMI exposure increased resting behavior in mosquitoes and affected the escape behavior of earthworms. These findings highlight the neurotoxic effects of IMI and the need for further investigation into the ecological consequences of this pesticide.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Amy Gainer, Olugbenga John Owojori, Mark Maboeta
Summary: This review investigates avoidance behavior of soil invertebrates in contaminated soils. The findings suggest that avoidance test is the most sensitive test and different contaminants have different effects on different species. The review concludes with recommendations for future research directions and filling data gaps.
REVIEWS OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Nomasonto Portia Dlamini, Patricks Voua Otomo
Summary: Despite the potential benefits of biochar, it may harm soil organisms when present in high quantities. In this study, the addition of biochar reduced the toxicity of glyphosate to earthworms, but a biochar amendment higher than 5% added additional stress to the earthworms.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jonas Fischer, Ghanem D. A. Talal, Laura S. Schnee, Patricks Otomo, Juliane Filser
Summary: Copper oxide nanoparticles can be used as an alternative to conventional copper in agriculture, but they have negative effects on soil organisms, particularly in clay-rich soils, where the interactions between nanoparticles and clay are believed to be responsible for the observed toxicity.
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Azubuike Victor Chukwuka, Ozekeke Ogbeide, Patricks Voua Otomo
Summary: This study aims to determine the trends in the MODIS/TERRA-derived NDVI and AOD for Lesotho Highland over 2000-2020, and investigate the predictive relationship between the two variables. The AOD showed two peaks and one trough regardless of yearly patterns, while the monthly NDVI had the highest values in January-March and lower values in winter and spring. Increase in NDVI contributes to about a 50% decrease in AOD, except for an outlier trend observed in 2007.
ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT
(2023)
Article
Zoology
Michel Mathurin Kamdem, Patricks Voua Otomo
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the effects of different diets on the larval development and survival of the aquatic saprophagous hoverfly Eristalis tenax. The results showed that a larger volume of a mixture of rabbit droppings and plant organic matter supplemented with yeast led to higher larval survival. Furthermore, adding yeast and increasing the volume of the rearing medium promoted faster pupation and the production of adult flies. These findings are important for the successful mass rearing of E. tenax.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY PART A-ECOLOGICAL AND INTEGRATIVE PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Sanele M. Mnkandla, Patricks Voua Otomo
Summary: Mycofiltration through continuous fixed bed adsorption was used to investigate the effects of flow rate, pH, column bed height, and myceliation on the sorption capacity of a mycofilter. The mycofilter, consisting of thatching straw and Pleurotus ostreatus, was cultivated and loaded into polypropylene columns. Results showed that the higher bed height and flow rate, along with low pH conditions, optimized the removal of food color from aqueous solutions. The experimental data were best fitted into the Thomas model.
BIOREMEDIATION JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sipho Sithole, Ngitheni Winnie-Kate Nyoka, Michel Mathurin Kamdem, Patricks Voua Otomo
Summary: The study evaluated the toxicity of carbaryl in earthworms under different dietary conditions and found that dietary restriction and deprivation had significant benefits in terms of reducing mortality rates and stress levels caused by chemical stressors. The toxicity of carbaryl decreased with reduced nutrient intake, indicating a positive correlation between diet and chemical toxicity.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sanele Michelle Mnkandla, Patricks Voua Otomo
Summary: Behavior serves as an indicator of environmental quality and can provide early warning signs of toxic effects. This study presents two novel bioassays for assessing the effects of chemicals on the behavior of mosquito larvae and adult earthworms. These bioassays have potential applications in ecological risk assessment and laboratory-based ecotoxicological testing.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ngitheni Winnie-Kate Nyoka, Ozekeke Ogbeide, Patricks Voua Otomo
Summary: Biochar amendment can alleviate the toxicity of imidacloprid to earthworms, reducing surface pollution and showing potential for soil remediation. Further field studies are needed to determine the most effective application rate of biochar for land application.