Basic Research Tools for Earthworm Ecology

Abstract

Earthworms are responsible for soil development, recycling organic matter and form a vital component within many food webs. For these and other reasons earthworms are worthy of investigation. Many technologically-enhanced approaches have been used within earthworm-focused research. These have their place, may be a development of existing practices or bring techniques from other fields. Nevertheless, let us not overlook the fact that much can still be learned through utilisation of more basic approaches which have been used for some time. New does not always equate to better. Information on community composition within an area and specific population densities can be learned using simple collection techniques, and burrowing behaviour can be determined from pits, resin-insertion or simple mesocosms. Life history studies can be achieved through maintenance of relatively simple cultures. Behavioural observations can be undertaken by direct observation or with low cost webcam usage. Applied aspects of earthworm research can also be achieved through use of simple techniques to enhance population development and even population dynamics can be directly addressed with use of relatively inexpensive, effective marking techniques. This paper seeks to demonstrate that good quality research in this sphere can result from appropriate application of relatively simple research tools.

Impact of Biochar on Earthworm Populations: A Review

“…Another aspect needing to be addressed is potential effects on earthworm migration. The reader is referred to Butt and Grigoropoulou [85] for information on how to properly address analysis of earthworm populations.…”

Effect of Cow Dung and Manure of Laying Hens on Growth and Reproduction of Eudrilus eugeniae

“…To better know E. eugeniae and to develop its lombriculture, several studies were carried out and aimed at describing the internal anatomy (DaDong et al, 2007;Butt and Grigoropoulou, 2010), the cycle of reproduction (Parthasaeathi, 2007;Sivasankari et al, 2013), growth and reproduction in various substrates (Coulibaly and Zoro Bi, 2010;Tahir and Hamid, 2012;Nayak and Sahu, 2013), and reproductive organs (Vijaya et al, 2012;Moraes et al, 2012). Lombriculture of E. eugeniae was carried out in several countries of the tropical area (Francis et al, 2003;Coulibaly and Zoro Bi, 2010;Tahir and Hamid, 2012).…”

Earthworms and mesofauna from an isolated, alkaline chemical waste site in Northwest England

“…Samples of the orange-coloured mineral material (in the alkaline sites) had pH determined. ) were poured into the resulting hole and monitored for emerging earthworms [17]. Five replicates were sampled at each location to minimise damage to the area.…”