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  • 1
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Springer
    Biology and fertility of soils 25 (1997), S. 396-400 
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Key words Collembola ; Enchytraeidae ; Casts ; Soil ; surface roughness ; Soil tillage
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract The aim of the study was to quantify the alteration of soil surface roughness caused by the casting activity of mesofauna. Undisturbed soil monoliths with a surface area of 5000mm2 were taken from the upper 4cm of the Ap-horizon in agricultural land. Two tillage systems were studied: conventional tillage (CT) and conservation tillage (CS). The sampling plots were mechanically compacted by wheeling with graded loads. Sampling occurred in spring after compaction and before seeding. The soil monoliths were defaunated before inoculating one half of the monoliths with 150 individuals of Collembola (Folsomia candida) and the other half with 100 individuals of Enchytraeidae (90% Enchytraeus minutus and 10% E. lacteus). Soil surface roughness was measured using a noncontact laser scanner: before inoculation and 6 months later. Photographs show the soil surface covered with casts. Results from laser scanning show that in most cases the surface roughness increased due to mesofaunal activity. However, roughness decreased when cracks were filled with casts. The casting activity and surface roughness changes are highest in uncompacted soil. A high degree of soil compaction significantly reduced the activity at the surface. In most cases the soil surface is more altered in CT than in CS. When the content of carbon and nitrogen were determined, both elements were accumulated in the casts but more by Collembola than Enchytraeidae. The results are discussed in the context of the hemiedaphic (F. candida) and the euedaphic (Enchytraeus spp.) mode of living.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
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  • 2
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Springer
    Biology and fertility of soils 29 (1999), S. 262-269 
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Keywords Axial pressure ; Earthworms ; Ecological groups ; Radial pressure ; Burrowing activity
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract  The aim of this study was to measure the pressures exerted by earthworms during burrowing. For this purpose we developed two methods with which to quantify the axial and radial pressure. The data were recorded with an electronic balance that was connected to a PC. Artificial earthworm burrows were used to standardize the measurements. Plexiglas tubes with diameters ranging from 2 to 6.3 mm which corresponded to the diameter of the earthworms were used. A pin was placed inside the tubes, on which the earthworms exerted a pressure by peristaltic locomotion. Only the maximum values of the pressure measurement were taken into account for evaluation, and the arithmetic mean was calculated. The measurements were conducted with Aporrectodea longa, Lumbricus terrestris, Aporrectodea caliginosa, Octolasion cyaneum, Allolobophora chlorotica, Aporrectodea rosea, Lumbricus rubellus and Dendrobaena octaedra. The species examined were classified into ecological groups. The mean axial pressures exerted by each group were in the order: epigeic (14–25 kPa), endogeic (27–39 kPa) and anecic (46–65 kPa). For the mean radial pressure the order was: epigeic (39–63 kPa), anecic (72–93 kPa) and endogeic (59–195 kPa). It was apparent from the results that radial pressure is the most important pressure with respect to the burrowing activity of earthworms.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
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