Field investigations of Lumbricus terrestris spatial distribution and dispersal through monitoring of manipulated, enclosed plots

Grigoropoulou, Niki; Butt, Kevin R.

doi:10.1016/j.soilbio.2009.09.021

Cited by 25 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 31 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Recently, nontoxic marker tags made from visible implant elastomers (VIE) with fluorescent properties were applied to earthworm mark-recapture studies with success in L. terrestris in a laboratory microcosm [75], and with P. corethrurus in field mesocosms in a tropical pasture and wet forest [76]. This method has since been applied in field experiments to study the dispersal of earthworms [77] and shows great promise for spatial and seasonal distribution, age structure, longevity, and range expansion studies.…”

Section: Taggingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Methodological Considerations in the Study of Earthworms in Forest Ecosystems

Rhea-Fournier¹,

González²

2017

Forest Ecology and Conservation

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Decades of studies have shown that soil macrofauna, especially earthworms, play dominant engineering roles in soils, affecting physical, chemical, and biological components of ecosystems. Quantifying these effects would allow crucial improvement in biogeochemical budgets and modeling, predicting response of land use and disturbance, and could be applied to bioremediation efforts. Effective methods of manipulating earthworm communities in the field are needed to accompany laboratory microcosm studies to calculate their net function in natural systems and to isolate specific mechanisms. This chapter reviews laboratory and field methods for enumerating and manipulating earthworm populations, as well as approaches toward quantifying their influences on soil processes and biogeochemical cycling.

show abstract

Section: Taggingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Methodological Considerations in the Study of Earthworms in Forest Ecosystems

Rhea-Fournier¹,

González²

2017

Forest Ecology and Conservation

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Trap units can be combined with earthworm fencing in the field [24], or with mesocosms in laboratory experiments allowing examination of emigration rates, while manipulating biotic and abiotic factors (e.g., population density, community structure, predation, resources availability, temperature, precipitation).…”

Section: Collection Techniques (First Catch Your Earthworm)mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Providing acceptable conditions (e.g., soil and food) in capture pots can allow earthworms to survive for long periods therefore permitting relatively infrequent examination. Tunnel traps have been successfully used in both field and laboratory experiments which aimed to examine dispersal of the anecic L. terrestris as affected by population density and resources availability [24].…”

Section: Collection Techniques (First Catch Your Earthworm)mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Cohorts of the same species could be tagged with different colours in different years to permit a better understanding, for example, of survival. Used in combination with density manipulation experiments, this type of exercise has already revealed aspects of L. terrestris dispersal and settlement under field conditions in managed woodland plots [24]. It should be noted that at current (2009) prices, this material is relatively inexpensive, with a trial pack of VIE costing $42.…”

Section: Life History Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Basic Research Tools for Earthworm Ecology

Butt

Grigoropoulou

2010

Applied and Environmental Soil Science

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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.

show abstract

“…Lumbricus terrestris is functionally categorized as an anecic earthworm; individuals form deep (up to 2.5 m), vertical, permanent burrows, pulling down leaf litter from the surface and bringing up mineral soil from down below (Eisenhauer et al 2008;Grigoropoulou and Butt 2010). Lumbricus terrestris has been successful at invading a wide geographic range of northeastern North America (Addison 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Environmental factors influencing immigration behaviour of the invasive earthworm Lumbricus terrestris

2013

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Despite the ecological threats posed to northeastern North American forests by the invasive earthworm Lumbricus terrestris L., 1758 (Oligochaeta: Lumbricidae), the dispersal behaviour of this organism is poorly understood. This study investigated how environmental conditions influence the immigration behaviour of L. terrestris. Experimental mesocosms were used to test for differences in burrow establishment depending on leaf-litter type (sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) or white pine (Pinus strobus L.)) or the background population density of conspecifics (0, 25, or 100 m −2 ). Choice chambers were used to test for selection between habitat conditions. Video recording was used to measure the latency between introduction and establishment. A significantly greater proportion of individuals established burrows in the presence of maple over pine litter, although this preference did not result in a significant difference in latency. For higher population density treatments, the time since establishment of the background population of conspecifics had a significant effect on earthworm habitat selection, with an increasing preference for the high-density habitat over time. Population density had a significant effect on latency, with greater latency under low-density conditions. These results suggest that L. terrestris detects differences in litter type and conspecific population density and modifies its immigration behaviour accordingly. Findings may be useful in predicting and responding to future dispersal patterns of this invader.Résumé : Malgré les menaces écologiques pour les forêts du nord-est de l'Amérique du Nord que pose le lombric commun Lumbricus terrestris L., 1758 (Oligochaeta : Lumbricidae), une espèce envahissante, le comportement de dispersion de cet organisme n'est pas bien compris. L'étude examine l'incidence des conditions ambiantes sur le comportement d'immigration de L. terrestris. Des mésocosmes expérimentaux ont été utilisés pour évaluer les différences relatives à l'établissement de tubes selon le type de couverture de feuilles mortes (érable à sucre (Acer saccharum Marsh.) ou pin blanc (Pinus strobus L.)) ou la densité de la population ambiante d'individus conspécifiques (0, 25 ou 100 m −2 ). Des enceintes de sélection ont été utilisées pour examiner la sélection selon différentes conditions de l'habitat. L'enregistrement vidéo a été utilisé pour mesurer le temps de latence entre l'introduction et l'établissement. Une proportion significativement plus grande d'individus établissait des tubes en présence d'une couverture de feuilles d'érable qu'en présence d'une couverture d'aiguilles de pin, bien que cette préférence ne se soit traduite par aucune différence significative sur le plan du temps de latence. Pour des traitements avec des densités de population plus élevées, le temps écoulé depuis l'établissement de la population ambiante d'individus conspécifiques avait un effet significatif sur la sélection de l'habitat par les lombrics, une préférence pour l'habitat de forte densité augmentant ...

show abstract

Field investigations of Lumbricus terrestris spatial distribution and dispersal through monitoring of manipulated, enclosed plots

Cited by 25 publications

References 31 publications

Methodological Considerations in the Study of Earthworms in Forest Ecosystems

Methodological Considerations in the Study of Earthworms in Forest Ecosystems

Basic Research Tools for Earthworm Ecology

Environmental factors influencing immigration behaviour of the invasive earthworm Lumbricus terrestris

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About