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Effects of mowing on vegetation parameters have been well studied. However, less is known about mowing effects on soil fauna and if soil properties alter this. We investigated earthworm communities in a long-term experiment 14 years after its establishment in 5 dry, fresh and moist grassland plots located in the Natura 2000 site Lainzer Tiergarten near Vienna, Austria (238–402 m a.s.l., 48°10′ N, 16°12′ E). The grasslands were either mowed once a year or every second year, or not mowed since being established. Earthworms were assessed using the non-destructive octet electro-shocking method. Additionally, vegetation composition, soil conductivity, temperature and moisture were assessed. We found 13 earthworm species across all treatments, although their abundance was generally low with 6.1 ± 4.7 worms m−2. The total earthworm abundance and species diversity was higher in dry compared to fresh and moist grasslands but was not affected by mowing frequency. Endogeic earthworms (Aporrectodea caliginosa, Aporrectodea rosea) and epigeics (Lumbricus rubellus) were more tolerant to mowing than anecics (Lumbricus terrestris, Allolobophora longa). Since plant species richness was highest in annually mown grasslands and earthworm species richness was positively related to plant species numbers, we recommend regular, low-input management to promote above- and belowground biodiversity in these grasslands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The scarcity of freshwater limits vegetable production in the coastal saline zone of the Sundarbans region. Low-cost, locally available, earthen pots (called pitchers) were tested for irrigation of vegetables along with paddy straw mulching (PSM) for soil water conservation. Field experiments were conducted in successive years (2021-22 and 2022-23) at ICAR-Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, Regional Research Station, Canning Town to increase the use efficiency of scarce good quality irrigation water for vegetable cultivation. The eight treatments consisted of: T1: Conventional check basin irrigation with best available water (BAW) with electrical conductivity (ECiw) of 1.27 dS m-1 in 2021-22 and 1.80 dS m-1 in 2022-23; T2: Check basin irrigation with saline water (ECiw: 5.82 dS m-1 in 2021-22 and 4.60 dS m-1 in 2022-23); T3: Check basin irrigation with BAW + paddy straw mulch (PSM); T4: Check basin irrigation with saline water + PSM; T5: Pitcher irrigation with BAW; T6: Pitcher irrigation with saline water; T7: Pitcher irrigation with BAW + PSM and T8: Pitcher irrigation with saline water + PSM. The experiment was conducted in triplicate in a split-plot design with irrigation methods (check basin and pitcher) as main-plots, the combination of water quality (saline and non-saline) and moisture conservation (PSM and non-mulching) in sub-plots. Clay pitchers of 9.75 liters capacity are buried inside the soil, around which seeds of bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) were sown. Check basin irrigation was followed as per the treatment. Lowest soil salinity development, higher bitter gourd yield and net return were observed when pitcher irrigation using BAW with PSM was followed. However, during the second year, check basin irrigation with PSM was at par with pitcher irrigation with PSM with respect to yield, net return and benefit cost ratio. The low cost (pitcher) irrigation with PSM was effective for growing vegetable crops with scarce water supplies in farmers' fields in the Sundarbans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effects of mowing on vegetation parameters have been well studied. However, less is known about mowing effects on soil fauna and if soil properties alter this. We investigated earthworm communities in a long-term experiment 14 years after its establishment in 5 dry, fresh and moist grassland plots located in the Natura 2000 site Lainzer Tiergarten near Vienna, Austria (238–402 m a.s.l., 48°10′ N, 16°12′ E). The grasslands were either mowed once a year or every second year, or not mowed since being established. Earthworms were assessed using the non-destructive octet electro-shocking method. Additionally, vegetation composition, soil conductivity, temperature and moisture were assessed. We found 13 earthworm species across all treatments, although their abundance was generally low with 6.1 ± 4.7 worms m−2. The total earthworm abundance and species diversity was higher in dry compared to fresh and moist grasslands but was not affected by mowing frequency. Endogeic earthworms (Aporrectodea caliginosa, Aporrectodea rosea) and epigeics (Lumbricus rubellus) were more tolerant to mowing than anecics (Lumbricus terrestris, Allolobophora longa). Since plant species richness was highest in annually mown grasslands and earthworm species richness was positively related to plant species numbers, we recommend regular, low-input management to promote above- and belowground biodiversity in these grasslands.

An experiment was conducted to study the earthworm diversity and its influence on soil enzyme activities in organic, sustainable and conventional farming systems in the state of Puducherry. A total of five earthworm species namely Drawida willsi, Drawida scandens, Lampito mauritii, Perionyx excavates and Eudrilus eugeniae were present in the study sites. Four species were found in conventional and sustainable farming and five species were found in organic farming. Earthworm species diversity, population, species dominance, and biomass were significantly higher in organic farming systems compared to sustainable and conventional farming systems. In addition, soils from organic farming showed higher activity of urease, alkaline phosphatase, ß-glucosidase, cellulase, invertase and xylanase activities and they showed a significant positive correlation with earthworm population and biomass. Our results revealed that the presence of earthworms strongly affected enzyme activities in soil. Earthworm casts probably contributed to the enrichment of plant-available nutrients and higher soil enzyme activities in organically managed soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Windbreaks are among the most widespread agroforestry systems in the temperate biome. Tree windbreaks are expected to have unique soil properties and biotic communities, compared to adjacent agricultural fields. We compared key soil properties and communities of earthworms, bacteria and fungi along an agricultural transect through a tree windbreak into a cropped field. Soil properties, earthworm abundance and diversity, and bacterial and fungal alpha-diversity (16S-rRNA and ITS gene sequencing) were assessed along transects at distances of 0 (directly under the tree canopy), 8 (ecotone in the cropped field) and 50 m from the tree row in six mature (20- to 70-years-old) tree windbreaks located in southeastern Québec, Canada. Soil organic C, total N and C:N ratio were higher, while soil pH was lower in the tree row than in the adjacent cropped fields at distances of 8 m and 50 m from the windbreak. Each group of biota had a distinct pattern along the agricultural transect. Earthworm abundance and biomass were greater at 50 m than 8 m from the windbreak. Epigeic, endogeic, and anecic earthworms varied similarly along the agricultural transect. Fungal diversity was higher at 8 m than at 0 m from the windbreak. Bacterial diversity was higher at 50 m than at 0 m from the windbreak. Tree windbreaks made the soil environment in the ecotone more favorable for fungal communities, but less favorable for earthworm communities. Greater bacterial diversity was associated with agricultural activities than windbreaks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paddy is one of the most important food crops in India. In Tripura of north east India, paddy covers 78–90% of cultivable areas with hydromorphic clay-rich acidic soils. As earthworms have important role in above-ground crop production, the present study deals with the earthworm communities in the soils of wet land paddy agro-ecosystem of West Tripura (India). The study was conducted during May 2015 to August 2017. Earthworms were collected from the paddy fields by TBSF monolith (25 × 25 × 30 cm) digging and hand sorting method. Temperature, moisture, pH and organic matters were estimated from 0 to 15 cm depth soils. Biological parameters such as density, biomass, relative abundance and ecological parameters such as indices of diversity, dominance etc. were measured. A total of 7 earthworm species belonging to 4 families and 5 genera were recorded: [Almidae Glyphidrilus sp. (near to gangeticus)], Moniligastridae (Drawida assamensis, Drawida papillifer papillifer and Drawida sp.), Megascolecidae (Metaphire houlleti, Perionyx excavatus) and Glossoscolecidae (Pontoscolex corethrurus). The average density and biomass of earthworms in the paddy plantations were 163 ind. m−2 and 56 g m−2 respectively. Diversity and dominance indices of earthworms of paddy plantations were 0.46 and 0.60 respectively. Glyphidrilus sp. contributed more than 50% biomass and density of earthworm community and probably had a great role in paddy production due to enormous deposition of casts ('cast hills') in the rhizosphere zone of paddy plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Earthworm survey was conducted across Bidar district that contains solidified lava and forms the part of Deccan trap of Hyderabad–Karnataka Region. Earthworm samples along with their habitat soil were collected by digging and hand sorting method from the selected spots like gutter, garbage, near bore well, near tap, garden, pasture, drainage system and fields. Ten different species of earthworms were identified viz., Eudrilus eugeniae of the family EUDRILIDAE; Lampito mauritii and Perionyx sansibaricus of the family MEGASCOLECIDAE; Dichogaster bolaui, D. modiglianii, Eudichogaster ashworthi, E. prashadi, E. poonensis, Octochaetona beatrix and O. paliensis of the family OCTOCHAETIDAE. Among these the genus Eudichogaster is found to be the most dominant and widely distributed earthworm in Bidar district. Eudichogaster poonensis is reported for the first time from South India. Soil chemical characteristics of their habitat were pH 6.7–8, electrical conductivity (EC) 0.28–1.16 mohs/cm, organic carbon (OC) 0.75–3.54%, nitrogen (N) 25.2–118 kg/acre, phosphorous (P) 6.6–48.8 kg/acre and potassium (K) 79–354 kg/acre. Earthworms inhabiting in the laterite soil showed wider range in the soil chemical characteristics, pH ranged from slightly acidic to alkaline; whereas earthworms inhabiting in regur soil of this region showed narrow range in the soil chemical characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to assess how soil organic C (SOC) stocks and earthworm communities were modified in agroforestry systems compared to treeless control plots and within the agroforestry plots (tree rows vs alleys). We used a network of 13 silvoarable agroforestry sites in France along a north/south gradient. Total earthworm abundance and biomass were significantly higher in the tree rows than those in the control plots, but were not modified in the alleys compared to those in the control plots. Earthworm species richness, Shannon index, and species evenness were significantly higher in the tree rows than those in the alleys. Total abundance of epigeic, epi-anecic, strict anecic, and endogeic was higher in the tree rows. Surprisingly, earthworm individual weight was significantly lower in the tree rows than that in the alleys and in the control plots. SOC stocks were significantly higher in the tree rows compared to that in the control plots across all sites. Despite higher SOC stocks in the tree rows, the amount of available C per earthworm individual was lower compared to those in the control. The absence of disturbance (no tillage, no fertilizers, no pesticides) in the tree rows rather than increased SOC stocks therefore seems to be the main factor explaining the increased total abundance, biomass, and diversity of earthworms. The observed differences in earthworm communities between tree rows and alleys may lead to modified and spatially structured SOC dynamics within agroforestry plots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Present study revealed the presence of 16 earthworm species belonging to 11 genera and four families viz. Megascolecidae ( Amynthus alexandri, Metaphire houlleti, Lampito mauritii, Kanchuria sp1, Perionyx excavatus), Octochaetidae ( Eutyphoeus gigas, Eutyphoeus comillahnus, Eutyphoeus orientalis, Octochaetona beatrix, Dichogaster bolaui, Lennogaster chittagongensis, Lennogaster yeicus), Moniligastridae ( Drawida papillifer papillifer, Drawida assamensis, Drawida nepalensis) and Glossoscolecidae ( Pontoscolex corethrurus) in the soils of five bamboo species [ Bambusa balcooa (Sil Barak), Melocanna baccifera (Muli), Bambusa polumorpha (Bari), Bambus cacharensis (Bom) and Bambus bambus (Katabarak)] of West-Tripura. While four earthworm species viz. Metaphire houlleti, Drawida assamensis, Drawida papillifer papillifer and Pontoscolex corethrurus were common to all species of bamboo plantations, the rest showed restricted distribution. Among the earthworm species 4 were exotic ( Amynthus alexandri, Metaphire houlleti, Dichogaster bolaui and Pontoscolex corethrurus) and the others were native to the Indian sub-continent. In general, earthworms under the bamboo plantations occurred within temperature range of 21.6 °C-28.0 °C, pH 4.0-7.0, organic matter 0.56-5.99 %, moisture 9.6-31.7 %, water holding capacity 14.6-43.9 % and bulk density 0.7-1.8 g cm. The average density and biomass of the earthworms in the studied places were 108 ind m and 44 g m respectively. Earthworm diversity, dominance and evenness indices showed the values 1.00, 0.47 and 0.70 respectively. Earthworm density and biomass showed a negative correlation with temperature whereas those had a strong positive correlation with pH, moisture and organic matter of the soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite representing a key component of terrestrial biota, soil invertebrates in tropical rainforests have been poorly studied from both a taxonomic and an ecological perspective when compared to other groups of terrestrial animals. We sampled earthworm communities in a range of sampling locations in two different study sites of the Nouragues Natural Reserve in French Guiana, focusing on lowland to plateau and hilltop forests as well as on savannah-like vegetation of the Nouragues granitic inselberg. We used the barcode region of the COI gene to delimit Molecular Taxonomic Units (MOTUs), further validated using species-level diagnostic morphological characters. A total of 651 sequences was obtained, most of them corresponding to juveniles that cannot be identified to the species level from morphology alone. We found a total of 48 MOTUs, and both rarefaction curves and diversity estimators (Chao1 and ACE) suggested that 60 species could occur in the study area, representing the highest earthworm richness ever recorded worldwide. Beta-diversity analyses highlighted a strong species turnover between sampling locations. Except in a few specific cases, species richness was usually limited to 12 species at the scale of a given location, which likely indicates the influence of competitive interactions during community assembly process. Community structure was dominated by species living in the upper soil layers and in surface microhabitats, with some of them able to colonize epiphytic soils up to more than 40 m above ground level. These results suggest the importance of long-term diversification processes and current ecological factors for the structuring and the diversity of earthworm communities in tropical rainforests of French Guiana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Degradation of agricultural and forest lands is a global problem causing climate change, loss of biodiversity, ecosystem services, and environmental hazards. In the red and lateritic soils of the northeast, central and southern India, land degradation remains a major problem affecting the lives of millions of people. Agroforestry systems with appropriate combinations of arable crops, horticultural trees, and forest tree species are suggested as effective strategies to combat land degradation by restoring biodiversity and ecosystem services but the scientific evidence is lacking for red and lateritic soils of northeast India. In response, a forest deciduous tree species Gmelina [ Gmelina arborea Roxb.], a fruit tree mango [ Mangifera indica L.], and a legume crop pigeon pea [ Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] were grown solely or in various combinations for ten years (July 2009 to June 2019) in the red and lateritic soil of West Bengal, India to evaluate their role in the restoration of degraded land and the potential for offering multiple ecosystems services. Eleven indicators were selected for evaluating the multifunctionality of ecosystem services having synergies between them. Results after ten years of field experiments revealed that the Gmelina -mango-pigeon pea agroforestry system has provided multiple ecosystem goods like edible seeds (pigeon pea), fruits (mango), fuelwood and timber (mango/ Gmelina) sequentially, and was 2–3 times more profitable in terms of net present value compared to sole Gmelina or mango or pigeon pea. This system also offered greater climate resiliency with 1–2 times higher annual biomass production, thus offsetting greenhouse gases emission. The composite evaluation index demonstrated that this system offers the highest level of multifunctionality of multiple ecosystem services. Evidence from this long-term experimentation suggests that the crop-fruit tree-forest tree-based agroforestry system has the potential to restore the land productivity of the degraded red and lateritic soils and provide multiple ecosystem services to millions of people dependent on such land. This system could potentially be out-scaled in many other similar agroecological zones of the world. [Display omitted] • A new comprehensive evaluation index of ecosystem services is proposed. • Agriculture, horticulture, forestry and agroforestry were compared with the new index. • Agroforestry shows the highest level of synergies of multiple ecosystem services. • It results in net positive C balance, high EROI, and improved biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In alpine areas, shifts in traditional grazing activities are globally affecting ecosystem properties and rural livelihoods. The ongoing decrease in extensive husbandry, with a decline in sheep numbers and a relative increase in cattle stocking rates, has resulted in the abandonment of large alpine grazing areas. This pastoral change has been recently associated with increased disturbances of wild boar ( Sus scrofa ), mainly within cattle-stocked ranges. In turn, cattle areas favor earthworm communities, a preferred trophic resource for wild boars in mountain environments. However, it is unknown whether wild boar disturbances, together with grazing activities, can affect earthworm communities. Our aim is to analyze the abundance, richness and ecological categories of earthworms and soil parameters (soil C and N concentrations, moisture, and C:N ratio) in relation to the occurrence of wild boar disturbances and grazing activities at different stocking pressures. We sampled two different grazing scenarios differing in the distribution of cattle along a grazing gradient, which was represented by three levels of stocking pressure (high, intermediate and low). Our results showed a complex effect of grazing activities and disturbances on the abundance and richness of earthworms, along with variations in C:N ratio and soil moisture, especially with increasing cattle presence. At high-stocking pressures differences in earthworm abundance and richness between disturbed and undisturbed areas were limited, whereas at intermediate-stocking pressures earthworms were favored by wild boar disturbances. Ecological categories of earthworms responded differently; endogeic species were the most affected by grazing pressures and wild boar rooting, with highest occurrence at high-stocking pressures and within boar disturbed areas. In sum, pastoral use and soil disturbances affected earthworm community structure and composition in complex ways. These results indicate an interaction of processes that is relevant to understand current changes in alpine ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Earthworms are known to play important roles in soil profile development, nutrient cycling, and plant productivity where their population densities are high. Our objective was to understand the impact of disturbance and management intensity within different-aged urban landscapes on earthworm population density and diversity. Our study was conducted in Moscow, ID, USA. Earthworms and soils were collected from open turf in three residential yards less than 10 years old, three residential yards greater than 75 years old, and in three urban parks greater than 75 years old. Mean earthworm density was significantly different among urban park (437 individuals m−2), old residential (121 individuals m−2), and young residential sites (26 individuals m−2). Bulk density of the 0–10cm depth was significantly higher in young residential sites (1.59gcm−3) than in urban park (1.30gcm−3) or old residential sites (1.30gcm−3). Mean total soil C in the first 30cm of soil was significantly different among the three landscape types (3.6kgCm−2 in urban parks, 2.9kgCm−2 in old residential, and 1.4kgCm−2 in young residential sites). Total soil N content followed the same trend as soil C across landscape types. Fertilizer additions in urban park sites were associated with increases in earthworm density and total soil C and N content. Overall, high bulk density due to soil compaction in young landscapes may directly and indirectly limit earthworm density. Bulk density, however, tends to decrease while soil C and N content increase as urban systems mature and these changes are associated with increases in earthworm population density. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: To harness the benefits of earthworms in agro-ecosystems, it requires better knowledge of their ecology particularly their relationship with soil properties. Earthworm species distribution, abundance and biomass were surveyed in a single dairy farm (238ha) in Camden, New South Wales, Australia, and the results were related to a range of soil physical and chemical properties, namely pH, texture, bulk density, soil organic carbon and nutrient status. A 33.7-fold variation in total earthworm abundance (40–1347m−2) was found in the different fields of the single dairy farm, a magnitude of difference similar to those reported in regional surveys covering hundreds of square kilometres. Diversity was, however, low with mean number of species per field=2.1. Our results highlight soil compaction and pH as soil factors affecting earthworm abundance and biomass, with compaction being a more important factor. The earthworm population was dominated by two introduced species, Aporrectodea trapezoides and Aporrectodea caliginosa which are also commonly found in pasture and cropping soils elsewhere in southern Australia. There was evidence suggesting that A. trapezoides has greater capacity to survive under harsher environments (drier and more compacted soil) than A. caliginosa. Native species were rare, averaged only 3.6% of the total earthworm population and were only found in the Alfisols. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Woodlands in karnataka differ with respect to earthworm species and their densities. Lampito mauriii Kinberg, Pontoscolex corethrurus Fr. Mull., and Pheretima (now, Polypheretima) elongata E Perrier are the most dominant species. Significant positive correlations were obtained between the species number, diversity and population density on one hand, and plant species number, abundance, diversity, cover and biomass on the other. A major factor for the variations in the richness of worms was accounted through vegetation-related factors. Soil organic matter had a strong influence on the worm diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present an evaluation of earthworm fauna in São Miguel Island (Azores, Portugal) revealing that it is rich in species in relation to its size and nature. Four families (Acanthodrilidae, Lumbricidae, Megascolecidae and Rhinodrilidae), 15 genera and 27 species were inventoried. About 74% were Palearctic species and 26% were Intertropical, mainly invasive earthworms originating from South-East Asia, of which Amynthas corticis Kingberg, 1867 was most dominant. The first comprehensive checklist of São Miguel earthworms is detailed, and the outdated nomenclature is improved, unifying synonymous taxa such as Lumbricus azoricus Eisen, 1869 and Allolobophoridella eiseni Levinsen, 1884. Seven new earthworm species records are given, highlighting Lumbricus friendi Cognetti, 1904 and Amynthas diffringens Baird, 1869 as cited for the first time in Macaronesia, and therefore expanding their known geographic range to the northern border of this region. Moreover, richness and composition of species were evaluated in relation to environmental and anthropogenic characteristics, including soil properties, altitude, land use intensity or distance to urban nuclei. Our results demonstrated that soil pH affected the establishment of species and that organic matter is positively associated with abundance of some non-native lumbricids (e.g. the anecic Octodrilus complanatus Dugés, 1828) and negatively related to richness and abundance of exotic species such as Amynthas corticis , Amynthas gracilis Kingberg, 1867 and Pontoscolex corethrurus Müller, 1857. Results suggested that land use intensity, represented as five categories ranging from undisturbed sites with native vegetation to sites under intensive agriculture exploitation, is a good predictor of species composition. Higher values of diversity and density of Intertropical species were found in more intensively exploited locations. Moreover, the Palearctic lumbricids, although present in all the disturbance categories tested, were the most diverse group at higher altitudes. The species Dendrodrilus rubidus tenuis Eisen, 1864 and Lumbricus rubellus Hoffmeister, 1843, with narrow distribution range, showed a trend towards natural, non-intensive (NI) and low intensity (LI) systems. Our results indicate that anthropogenic disturbance and altitude are the main drivers of earthworm diversity on the island of São Miguel, making these animals good indicators for land use intensity. Therefore, earthworm surveys may help design conservation programs in protected areas. • First comprehensive checklist of São Miguel (Azores) earthworm fauna is provided. • Species richness and composition were assessed relating to environment and human impact. • Land use intensity and altitude: main drivers of earthworm distribution in São Miguel • Soil pH and organic matter also play a role in shaping earthworm fauna distribution. • Earthworms are useful indicators of land use intensity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The understanding of belowground biodiversity is still rather incomplete and interactions between above- and belowground systems have rarely been looked at when explaining belowground biodiversity patterns. The present study presents results of the influence of tree species diversity on the earthworm community in a central European deciduous mixed forest. Within the Hainich National Park three replicate sites were chosen within three levels of tree diversity ranging from one species (beech, DL1) to three species (beech, lime, ash, DL2) to five species stands (beech, lime, ash, hornbeam, maple, DL3). Earthworms were extracted by heat from soil and litter samples at four sampling dates at each site. In addition, in spring four samples per site were sorted by hand and identified to species level. Generally, earthworm densities were positively correlated with tree diversity in May and November but negatively in February. Sites with low tree species diversity had earthworm populations which were more stable due to a more permanent and deeper litter layer. Increasing proportions of high quality litter in DL2 und DL3 were correlated with higher densities of both epigeic and endogeic earthworm species, while litter in DL1 sites was mainly inhabited by epigeic species. Generally, there was a positive correlation between earthworm and tree species diversity indicating the importance of diverse food qualities for the decomposer fauna at the local scale especially in springtime. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]