Earthworms bring compacted and loose soil to a similar mechanical state

P. Barré; B. M. McKenzie; P. D. Hallett

doi:10.1016/j.soilbio.2008.12.015

Earthworms bring compacted and loose soil to a similar mechanical state

P. Barré (Lead / Corresponding author), B. M. McKenzie, P. D. Hallett

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

24 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We tested the hypothesis that earthworms stabilise loose soil and loosen compacted soil to a similar mechanical state. Casts collected from initially loose soil (980 kg m^-3) had 10-fold greater viscosity (31 kPa s) and 5-fold greater yield stress (200 Pa) than a control soil without worms. Lumbricus terrestris; Dendrobaena sp. and Aporrectodea longa were all investigated, with no difference found between species. In compacted soils (1300 kg m^-3), A. longa produced casts with similar mechanical properties to loose soil, with viscosity and yield stress decreased by 45% compared to the control without worms. Earthworms were shown to bring initially loose and compacted soil to an intermediate mechanical state that is more favourable for structural stability and root growth.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	656-658
Number of pages	3
Journal	Soil Biology and Biochemistry
Volume	41
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soilbio.2008.12.015
Publication status	Published - Mar 2009

Keywords

Compaction
Earthworms
Soil
Stability
Viscosity
Yield stress

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Microbiology
Soil Science

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10.1016/j.soilbio.2008.12.015

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title = "Earthworms bring compacted and loose soil to a similar mechanical state",

abstract = "We tested the hypothesis that earthworms stabilise loose soil and loosen compacted soil to a similar mechanical state. Casts collected from initially loose soil (980 kg m-3) had 10-fold greater viscosity (31 kPa s) and 5-fold greater yield stress (200 Pa) than a control soil without worms. Lumbricus terrestris; Dendrobaena sp. and Aporrectodea longa were all investigated, with no difference found between species. In compacted soils (1300 kg m-3), A. longa produced casts with similar mechanical properties to loose soil, with viscosity and yield stress decreased by 45% compared to the control without worms. Earthworms were shown to bring initially loose and compacted soil to an intermediate mechanical state that is more favourable for structural stability and root growth.",

keywords = "Compaction, Earthworms, Soil, Stability, Viscosity, Yield stress",

author = "P. Barr{\'e} and McKenzie, {B. M.} and Hallett, {P. D.}",

note = "Funding Information: Pierre Barr{\'e}'s salary was paid by the French minister of Foreign Affairs (bourse “Lavoisier”). The Scottish Crop Research Institute receives grant-in-aid support from the Scottish Government Rural and Environment Research and Analysis Directorate. Copyright: Copyright 2009 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.",

year = "2009",

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doi = "10.1016/j.soilbio.2008.12.015",

language = "English",

volume = "41",

pages = "656--658",

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AU - Barré, P.

AU - McKenzie, B. M.

AU - Hallett, P. D.

N1 - Funding Information: Pierre Barré's salary was paid by the French minister of Foreign Affairs (bourse “Lavoisier”). The Scottish Crop Research Institute receives grant-in-aid support from the Scottish Government Rural and Environment Research and Analysis Directorate. Copyright: Copyright 2009 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.

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N2 - We tested the hypothesis that earthworms stabilise loose soil and loosen compacted soil to a similar mechanical state. Casts collected from initially loose soil (980 kg m-3) had 10-fold greater viscosity (31 kPa s) and 5-fold greater yield stress (200 Pa) than a control soil without worms. Lumbricus terrestris; Dendrobaena sp. and Aporrectodea longa were all investigated, with no difference found between species. In compacted soils (1300 kg m-3), A. longa produced casts with similar mechanical properties to loose soil, with viscosity and yield stress decreased by 45% compared to the control without worms. Earthworms were shown to bring initially loose and compacted soil to an intermediate mechanical state that is more favourable for structural stability and root growth.

AB - We tested the hypothesis that earthworms stabilise loose soil and loosen compacted soil to a similar mechanical state. Casts collected from initially loose soil (980 kg m-3) had 10-fold greater viscosity (31 kPa s) and 5-fold greater yield stress (200 Pa) than a control soil without worms. Lumbricus terrestris; Dendrobaena sp. and Aporrectodea longa were all investigated, with no difference found between species. In compacted soils (1300 kg m-3), A. longa produced casts with similar mechanical properties to loose soil, with viscosity and yield stress decreased by 45% compared to the control without worms. Earthworms were shown to bring initially loose and compacted soil to an intermediate mechanical state that is more favourable for structural stability and root growth.

KW - Compaction

KW - Earthworms

KW - Soil

KW - Stability

KW - Viscosity

KW - Yield stress

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DO - 10.1016/j.soilbio.2008.12.015

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:60549113298

SN - 0038-0717

VL - 41

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JO - Soil Biology and Biochemistry

JF - Soil Biology and Biochemistry

IS - 3

ER -

Earthworms bring compacted and loose soil to a similar mechanical state

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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