Earthworms as useful bioindicators of agroecosystem sustainability in orchards and vineyards with different inputs

Paoletti, Maurizio G.; Sommaggio, Daniele; Favretto, M.R; Petruzzelli, G.; Pezzarossa, B.; Barbafieri, Meri

doi:10.1016/s0929-1393(98)00036-5

Cited by 152 publications

(109 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…, nutri-ent cycling (Butenschoen et al, 2009;Sheehan et al, 2006), organic matter cycling (Koutika et al, 2001), soil structure (Shipitalo and Le Bayon, 2004) and horizon texture (Lavelle, 1997;Lavelle et al, 1997). Their potential as bioindicators of landscape structure, land use and soil pollution has been well studied in many ecosystems Published in Applied Soil Ecology 59, 87-95, 2012 which should be used for any reference to this work ( Krivolutsky et al, 1982;Paoletti, 1999;Paoletti et al, 1998;Suthar et al, 2008). However, there are comparatively few data on the ecology of earthworms in floodplains (Kamitani and Kaneko, 2007;Zorn et al, 2005).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Patterns of earthworm communities and species traits in relation to the perturbation gradient of a restored floodplain

Fournier

Samaritani

Shrestha

et al. 2012

Applied Soil Ecology

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a b s t r a c tLittle is known about the diversity and ecology of earthworms in floodplains, as well as their response to natural and anthropic perturbations (e.g. floods, river channelisation, floodplain restoration). We characterised the patterns of earthworm communities and species traits in the different habitats of a lowland restored floodplain in Switzerland. In addition to classical species-based metrics, such as species richness and Shannon diversity, species traits were used to calculate the community weighted means (CWMs) of traits and functional dispersion (FDis). We hypothesised that trait-based metrics would reveal clearer patterns than classical approaches. The distribution of earthworm traits varied among habitats in relation to changes in flooding frequency: poorly developed gravel bar soils most exposed to flooding were characterised by high abundance of small epigeic species and low abundance of large anecic species. Differences in anecic and endogeic earthworm community structure matched flood frequency. In agreement with our hypothesis, CWMs were more strongly correlated to environmental variables than species composition, diversity, or functional diversity. Based on these results, the ratio of the relative abundances of epigeic and anecic species, and the differences in species composition within anecic and endogeic ecological types of earthworms were identified as indicators of soil development in floodplains.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Patterns of earthworm communities and species traits in relation to the perturbation gradient of a restored floodplain

Fournier

Samaritani

Shrestha

et al. 2012

Applied Soil Ecology

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“…Earthworm populations have been proposed as indicators of the degree of Cu contamination in orchard and vineyard soils (Paoletti et al 1998). This approach assumes that earthworms and higher plants are similar in their sensitivity to Cu or that decreased earthworm activity will damage soil structure to the extent that plant growth suffers.…”

Section: Activity Of Soil Organisms In Orchard Soilsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Significance of soil copper in the urban development of horticultural soils

Cornforth

Bussell

Lewthwaite

2003

New Zealand Journal of Crop and Horticultural Science

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In New Zealand, copper (Cu) applied to soils in fertilisers, urban and animal wastes, or pesticides may increase Cu concentrations from an average of 30 mg kg -1 to more than 10 times this value and may restrict the development of treated areas for residential use. Guidelines for assessing such possible hazards have been proposed by planning authorities. The behaviour of Cu in soils, plants, and animals is reviewed to test the validity of these guidelines. It is concluded that the potential risks associated with Cu in horticultural soils are very much less than those implied by current New Zealand guidelines.

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“…In rural areas different farms can adopt different crops, sometimes changing styles of farming over time and space (Fig. 1) (Aebischer, 1991;Paoletti et al, 1993;Paoletti et al, 1997b). In urban and industrialized areas, cycles of production, management and waste disposal are the key elements that determine the profile of a landscape.…”

Section: Which Is a Landscape And Landscape Structure?mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These structures, in particular hedgerows and shelterbelts, serve many purposes, including providing a source of wood for burning and building, securing emergence fodder, providing a microclimate, and improving diversity (Joenie et al, 1997). In many cases, these microhabitats represent important refugia for beneficial predators and parasitoids (Nazzi et al, 1989;Sommaggio et al, 1995;Paoletti et al, 1997b). Is not clear whether such wild vegetation patches can also enhance the activities of pests in the rural landscape.…”

Section: Margin Effects (Hedgerows Shelterbelts Weed Strips)mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Is not clear whether such wild vegetation patches can also enhance the activities of pests in the rural landscape. The property of margins to host some pests (e.g., aphids and spidermites) is compensated by the fact that they can support polyphagous predators as well, providing overwintering sites which allow them to effectively predate early in the season Paoletti et al, 1997b).…”

Section: Margin Effects (Hedgerows Shelterbelts Weed Strips)mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Using bioindicators based on biodiversity to assess landscape sustainability

Paoletti

1999

Invertebrate Biodiversity as Bioindicators of Sustainable Landscapes

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Although not new, the use of bioindicators is an innovative approach for assessing various types of environmental mismanagement, including pollution, high input farming, inappropriate disposal of wastes, contamination, etc. This approach uses biological organisms (including invertebrates, the focus of this volume) and biodiversity as tools to assess ongoing situations in the environment. Although lab work is needed, bioindicator-based studies rely extensively on field assessment of a few or limited number of taxa. Sampling, statistics and species identification form a large part of these studies, and must be supported by knowledge of the basic biological and ecological features of the organisms and landscape under study. Computerized open databases offering images and multiple entering accessions are expected to improve the current identification and analysis methods based on manuals, books and two-dimensional figures.Bioindicator-based studies have the potential to make a major contribution to optimizing different farming systems, input practices, new crops, rotation, etc., and to influence political policies governing landscape management, urban and industrial areas; landscape reclamation and transformation.In particular, laws aimed at reducing environmental contamination and at remediating high input farming must take into consideration environmental benefits that can be assessed using bioindicators; evaluations of new genetically engineered crops must consider biodiversity as a value and bioindicators as tools that can help in reaching decisions about their environmental impact.

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Earthworms as useful bioindicators of agroecosystem sustainability in orchards and vineyards with different inputs

Cited by 152 publications

References 13 publications

Patterns of earthworm communities and species traits in relation to the perturbation gradient of a restored floodplain

Patterns of earthworm communities and species traits in relation to the perturbation gradient of a restored floodplain

Significance of soil copper in the urban development of horticultural soils

Using bioindicators based on biodiversity to assess landscape sustainability

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