Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Jacqueline L. Stroud, Iain Dummett, Simon J. Kemp, Craig J. Sturrock
Summary: The conversion from conventional tillage to no-tillage soil management practices improves aggregate stability and earthworm populations. UK farmers found that middened soil, which accounts for up to 42% of the soil surface, has significantly more earthworms than general soil. In a recent experimental field trial, middened areas covering 13% of the trial showed improved aggregate stability and porosity compared to general soil. These findings emphasize the importance of considering middens in assessing soil quality and health in arable systems.
ANNALS OF APPLIED BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Michael J. McTavish, Stephen D. Murphy
Summary: Transport by earthworms can lead to secondary dispersal of seeds, impacting the spatial structure of plant communities. The study suggests that earthworms can redistribute seeds both vertically and horizontally in the soil profile, aggregating seeds into small clusters that influence plant growth.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Asis Lopez, Yaswitha Mikkilineni, Shayna Berman, Damir Khismatullin, Gregory T. Clement, Matthew R. Myers
Summary: This study introduces the earthworm as a low-cost alternative invertebrate for vascular studies, providing easy surgical access to blood vessels and a simple closed circulatory system similar to humans. By using micropipettes to administer compounds into the earthworm's vascular system, researchers can achieve high repeatability with large sample sizes, offering a practical solution for cost-effective studies.
JOVE-JOURNAL OF VISUALIZED EXPERIMENTS
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Roos van de Logt, Carmen Versteeg, Pieter Struyk, Nick van Eekeren
Summary: Grasslands are crucial for regulating water and the presence of Lumbricus terrestris earthworms has a positive effect on soil water regulation. This research explores the ability of L. terrestris to survive and reproduce after being introduced into grasslands on sandy soils.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SOIL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Soil Science
Renee-Claire Le Bayon, Claire Guenat, Rodolphe Schlaepfer, Franziska Fischer, Alexandre Luiset, Andreas Schomburg, Pascal Turberg
Summary: Soil structure is closely linked to biological activities, and X-ray micro computed tomography (X-ray mu CT) is a useful tool for studying soil aggregates at a spatial resolution of a few microns. Different X-ray mu CT parameters can help distinguish earthworm aggregates from non-earthworm aggregates, with the volume ratio of mineral grains within the aggregates significantly varying according to earthworm species. This technique shows promise for studying the composition of earthworm casts and their formation.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SOIL SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Elma Lahive, Richard Cross, Aafke Saarloos, Alice A. Horton, Claus Svendsen, Rudolf Hufenus, Denise M. Mitrano
Summary: Microplastic fibres and nanoplastics have the potential to harm soil organisms. This study used inorganic tracers to quantify the uptake of these particles in earthworms. The results showed that both types of particles can be retained in the earthworms for extended periods.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Juan C. Sanchez-Hernandez, Kyoung S. Ro, Ariel A. Szogi, Sechin Chang, Bosoon Park
Summary: The addition of biochar to soil can increase soil enzyme activity, especially when earthworms are present. Adding plastichars can achieve the maximum enzyme activity, with significantly higher enzyme binding capacities compared to biochars produced solely from animal manure. The presence of earthworms significantly enhances the enzymatic activation potential of plastichars.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xibei Zhou, Wulong Liang, Yanfeng Zhang, M. James C. Crabbe, Zhumei Ren, Yingping Xie
Summary: This study evaluated the impact of earthworms on the distribution and viability of Beauveria bassiana fungus in soil. Results showed that earthworm activity and feeding promoted the distribution of B. bassiana in soil, but decreased the number of viable spores. The fungus retained its efficacy and pathogenicity to insects after passing through the earthworm gut and excretion.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tomi Turner, Rebecca Wheeler, Ian Oliver
Summary: This study investigated the effects of water-treatment residuals (WTRs) on soil ecology through a 7-week outdoor mesocosm trial, finding that WTRs had impacts on earthworm growth and soil respiration, but overall disturbances to soil ecology were minimal.
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Dian Shao, Weiting Xiong
Summary: The study utilizes a population-space correlation algorithm to analyze the correlation between mobile phone signalling data and vector spatial data in block scale. It identifies blocks with uneven population density and reveals that population density distribution becomes unbalanced only when spatial density exceeds a critical value. The spatial characteristics affecting population density distribution vary with the type of block.
Article
Agronomy
Christine van Capelle, Friederike Meyer-Wolfarth, Torsten Meiners, Stefan Schrader
Summary: In this study, the bioregulatory performance of the earthworm species Lumbricus terrestris in suppressing Fusarium species and reducing mycotoxins in maize mulch layer was analyzed. The results showed that Lumbricus terrestris had a species-specific regulation on Fusarium species and significantly accelerated the degradation of mycotoxins. Fine chopping of the chaff did not affect the earthworms' regulatory capacity.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
R. Arbabtafti, Y. Fathipour, H. Ranjbar Aghdam
Summary: The study on Sesamia cretica in different regions of Tehran, Iran indicated that there were variations in population density and dispersion pattern of the pest between 2017 and 2018. Differences in larval density and spatial distribution pattern were observed among different areas, with oviposition behavior being a determining factor in population fluctuation.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Liguo Zhang, Langping Leng, Yongming Zeng, Xi Lin, Su Chen
Summary: Using a mixed geographically weighted regression model, this study explores the spatial distribution and influencing factors of the rural population in Jiangxi Province, China. The results show significant positive spatial autocorrelation among county residents, with social and economic factors exhibiting spatial homogeneity and climate factors showing spatial heterogeneity.
Article
Soil Science
Gabriella Jorge-Escudero, Carlos A. Perez, Hanna Friberg, Sara Soderlund, Silvana Vero, Gabriela Garmendia, Jan Lagerlof
Summary: Earthworms can contribute to plant health indirectly by improving soil properties and directly by suppressing plant pathogens. Fusarium Head Blight, caused by Fusarium graminearum, is a significant cereal disease affecting yield and grain quality globally. Earthworms can reduce F. graminearum inoculum by competition, growth inhibition, and burying crop residue. Anecic and epigeic earthworms show potential for biological control of F. graminearum in wheat straw.
APPLIED SOIL ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Esperanza Huerta-Lwanga, Jorge Mendoza-Vega, Oriana Ribeiro, Henny Gertsen, Piet Peters, Violette Geissen
Summary: This study assessed the environmentally friendly PLA bioplastic debris mixed with composts and found that a concentration of 1% PLA in composts led to significant mortality in earthworms, but had no significant effects on plant growth or soil physicochemical conditions. Further research is needed to investigate the effects of this biopolymer on different earthworm and plant species.
Article
Zoology
Siobhan Marie Quigg, Christopher Nathan Lowe, Kevin Richard Butt, Timothy Mitcham, Arati Iyengar
Article
Environmental Sciences
Valery E. Forbes, Annika Agatz, Roman Ashauer, Kevin R. Butt, Yvan Capowiez, Sabine Duquesne, Gregor Ernst, Andreas Focks, Andre Gergs, Mark E. Hodson, Martin Holmstrup, Alice S. A. Johnston, Mattia Meli, Dirk Nickisch, Silvia Pieper, Kim J. Rakel, Melissa Reed, Joerg Roembke, Ralf B. Schaefer, Pernille Thorbek, David J. Spurgeon, Erik van den Berg, Cornelis A. M. Van Gestel, Mathilde Zorn, Vanessa Roeben
Summary: The workshop focused on toxicokinetic-toxicodynamic (TKTD) and population modeling of earthworms in the context of ERA, aiming to explore how earthworm modeling could be applied to risk assessments in a tiered approach. Four submodules were included in the modeling approach to cover relevant processes for earthworm risk assessment: environment, behavior, TKTD, and population, with workgroups examining different aspects of the model for risk assessment and model testing. Collaboration among scientists from different stakeholder groups helped establish common ground and provided recommendations for addressing uncertainties in current risk assessments for plant protection products.
INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Ecology
K. R. Butt, V Nuutinen
Summary: The Hebrides of Scotland are unique island environments with a long history of human settlement and agriculture. Earthworm community surveys conducted in selected agricultural landscapes of Inner and Outer Hebrides revealed differences in earthworm species, densities, and biomasses across different agricultural systems and regions. Management practices had significant effects on earthworm richness and abundance in the studied areas.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SOIL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Soil Science
Kevin R. Butt, Siobhan M. Quigg
Summary: Long-term studies have shown that a diverse community of earthworms has developed in the soil of a former steelworks site, which was reclaimed using a mixture of colliery spoil and sewage sludge. The earthworms colonized the site from adjacent areas, and the community structure and density in areas covered with willow, birch, and grassland were not significantly different from those in unspoiled areas. Additionally, the historical earthworm inoculation was deemed unnecessary and poorly timed, providing valuable lessons for future reclamations of similar sites.
Article
Soil Science
Kevin R. Butt, Friederike Lang, Otto Ehrmann, Angelika Kobel-Lamparski, Franz Lamparski, Visa Nuutinen
Article
Soil Science
Anna Mazur-Paczka, Grzegorz Paczka, Joanna Kostecka, Kevin R. Butt, Marcin Jaromin, Mariola Garczynska, Agnieszka Podolak
Summary: This study investigated the species composition and abundance of earthworms in Carpathian beech woodlands, revealing the impact of different soil environments and vegetation types on earthworm communities. Invasive species may influence native earthworm species, highlighting the need for further research to confirm these effects.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Grzegorz Paczka, Anna Mazur-Paczka, Mariola Garczynska, Joanna Kostecka, Kevin R. Butt
Summary: The study using vermicompost produced from waste mass of littoral plants as a soil amendment found that the 50% vermicompost addition had the most beneficial effect on garlic plant growth and yield, as well as on the content of nutrients in garlic cloves. No significant differences were found for the analyzed parameters in the aboveground parts of plants in all the applied substrates.
Article
Agronomy
Grzegorz Paczka, Anna Mazur-Paczka, Mariola Garczynska, Edmund Hajduk, Joanna Kostecka, Izabela Bartkowska, Kevin R. Butt
Summary: Properly conducted vermicomposting is an environmentally friendly technology that transforms organic waste into organic fertilizer, which is increasingly used in agriculture and horticulture. Research has shown that vermicompost made from sugar beet waste can improve pea growth characteristics and nutrient content, reducing the need for inorganic fertilizers and serving as a sustainable alternative.
Article
Ecology
Lise Dupont, Helene Audusseau, David Porco, Kevin R. Butt
Summary: Researchers found different patterns of reproductive isolation among different lineages of earthworms. If earthworms belong to different mitochondrial lineages that cannot be distinguished by nuclear markers, they produce significantly more offspring when mating with both potential mates. In crosses between lineages that differ at both mitochondrial and nuclear levels, a high production of cocoons is counterbalanced by a low hatching rate, suggesting post-zygotic reproductive isolation.
JOURNAL OF EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Kevin Hoeffner, Kevin R. Butt, Cecile Monard, Joana Frazao, Guenola Peres, Daniel Cluzeau
Summary: This review highlights the differences in feeding behavior, growth rates, and burrowing behavior between Lumbricus and Aporrectodea species in temperate climates. These differences have important consequences for soil trophic networks and functioning.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SOIL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Kevin R. Butt, Jackie A. Gilbert, Joanna Kostecka, Christopher N. Lowe, Siobhan M. Quigg, Pia Euteneuer
Summary: The construction of a second runway at Manchester Airport involved the relocation of earthworms as prey items for protected vertebrates, as part of a habitat restoration package. Monitoring the translocated grassland sites revealed that the earthworm communities were affected by the translocation method used and the specific site topography. The composition of the earthworm communities fluctuated over the monitoring period, and was influenced by environmental factors such as soil moisture content, pH, and rainfall. Long-term monitoring is necessary to accurately assess the composition and population size of earthworm communities.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SOIL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Anna Mazur-Paczka, Grzegorz Paczka, Mariola Garczynska, Marcin Jaromin, Edmund Hajduk, Joanna Kostecka, Kevin R. Butt
Summary: This study investigated the population density and biomass of earthworms in plantations of willow, foxglove tree, and black locust, and found that the addition of sewage sludge significantly increased the number and biomass of earthworms, indicating that an appropriate selection of plants and fertilization can promote the development of earthworm populations.
Article
Ecology
Jeannette M. Kister, Christopher N. Lowe, Kevin R. Butt
Summary: This study investigates the toxicity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on endogeic earthworms. The results demonstrate that high concentrations of AgNPs have negative effects on earthworm biomass and mortality, while silver sulphide does not have a discernible effect. Additionally, earthworms show a preference for soil without AgNPs or silver sulphide. These findings have important implications for the application of AgNPs in agricultural fields.
Article
Ecology
Kevin R. Butt, Mac A. Callaham Jr
Summary: Experimental research in the 1980s demonstrated that tree species have an impact on soil development. A recent study revisited these findings and found that earthworm populations and biomass were closely related to tree species. These observations suggest that the influence of tree species on soil is linked to associated ecosystem engineering by earthworms.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SOIL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Soil Science
Frank Ashwood, Carlos Barreto, Kevin R. R. Butt, Martin Lampert, Kieron Doick, Elena I. I. Vanguelova
Summary: This study examined the impact of restoration practices on earthworm and mesofauna communities in landfill sites. The results showed that the stockpiling, reapplication, and revegetation of native topsoil accelerated the natural re-colonization of earthworms. The study also found that highly disturbed sites had lower soil biological quality, while less disturbed sites had higher mesofauna abundance and richness.
Article
Soil Science
C. Beraud, F. Piola, J. Gervaix, G. Meiffren, C. Creuze des Chatelliers, A. Delort, C. Boisselet, S. Poussineau, E. Lacroix, A. A. M. Cantarel
Summary: This study investigated the soil factors influencing the development of biological denitrification inhibition (BDI) and found that initial soil moisture, ammonium concentration, and the initial abundance of certain microbial genes play significant roles in BDI development. Additionally, the research highlighted the relevance of biotic factors in explaining BDI and proposed the use of procyanidin concentration from plant belowground system as a new proxy for measuring BDI intensity.
SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
(2024)
Article
Soil Science
Yizhu Qiao, Tingting Wang, Qiwei Huang, Hanyue Guo, He Zhang, Qicheng Xu, Qirong Shen, Ning Ling
Summary: Soil microbial community coalescence, the mixing and interaction of microbial communities, has been found to enhance the stability and complexity of rhizobacterial networks, leading to improved plant health and biomass. This study investigated the effects of different degrees of bacterial community coalescence on plant disease resistance by mixing soils from healthy and diseased habitats for watermelon planting. The results showed that mixing in more healthy soil reduced the plant disease index and increased biomass by improving the stability and complexity of the rhizobacterial network. Core taxa Nitrospirillum and Singulisphaera were enriched in the rhizosphere from healthy soils and played important roles in disease suppression and regulating the positive cohesion and modularity of the networks. Overall, these findings provide insights into the potential mechanism of microbial community coalescence for improving plant microbial community function and suggest new tools for enhancing plant fitness via soil microbiota mixing.
SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
(2024)
Article
Soil Science
Mengqiu He, Shending Chen, Lei Meng, Xiaoqian Dan, Wenjie Wang, Qinying Zhu, Zucong Cai, Jinbo Zhang, Pierfrancesco Nardi, Christoph Mueller
Summary: Maize genotypes directly affect gene expression and nitrogen uptake capacity. The feedback between maize genotypes and soil nitrogen transformations, as well as their regulations on nitrogen uptake capacity, have been studied. The findings suggest that maize genotypes play a central role in regulating these feedbacks, which are important for maize breeding and enhancing maize production.
SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
(2024)
Article
Soil Science
Ke Shi, Jiahui Liao, Xiaoming Zou, Han Y. H. Chen, Manuel Delgado-Baquerizo, Zhengming Yan, Tingting Ren, Honghua Ruan
Summary: Through rewilding, microbial extracellular and cellular residues can continuously accumulate in soils and significantly contribute to soil organic carbon sequestration. Extracellular residues are mainly driven by fine root biomass, while cellular residues are mainly driven by soil nitrogen and organic carbon content.
SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
(2024)
Article
Soil Science
Sensen Chen, Ying Teng, Yongming Luo, Eiko Kuramae, Wenjie Ren
Summary: This study comprehensively assesses the effects of NMs on the soil microbiome through a global meta-analysis. The results reveal significant negative impacts of NMs on soil microbial diversity, biomass, activity, and function. Metal NMs, especially Ag NMs, have the most pronounced negative effects on various soil microbial community metrics.
SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
(2024)
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
Soil Science
Wimonsiri Pingthaisong, Sergey Blagodatsky, Patma Vityakon, Georg Cadisch
Summary: A study found that mixing high-C/N ratio rice straw with low-C/N ratio groundnut stover can improve the chemical composition of the input, stimulate microbial growth, decrease the loss of residue-derived carbon in the soil, and reduce native soil carbon and nitrogen consumption.
SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
(2024)
Article
Soil Science
Jiachen Wang, Jie Zhao, Rong Yang, Xin Liu, Xuyuan Zhang, Wei Zhang, Xiaoyong Chen, Wende Yan, Kelin Wang
Summary: Nitrogen is vital for ecosystem productivity, restoration, and succession processes. This study found that legume intercropping was more effective than chemical nitrogen fertilizers in promoting the complexity and stability of the soil micro-food web, as it increased microbial and nematode communities and enhanced energy flow patterns.
SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
(2024)
