Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #72842
Title: EARTHWORM ACTIVITY AFFECTED BY NUTRIENT CYCLING AND SOIL COMPACTION IN CENTRAL HARDWOOD FOREST

Author
item LI, F - UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI
item JORDAN, DIANN - UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI
item PONDER, F - USDA FOREST SERVICE
item Berry, Edwin

Submitted to: Agronomy Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/8/1996
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The effects of organic matter removal and soil compaction on earthworm populations and activities were measured in a central hardwood forest in Missouri. Compaction and organic matter treatments were in a factorial arrangement. Spring and fall measurements showed that soil compaction significantly decreased earthworm populations and biomass. However, organic matter removal did not result in significant differences. A six-month greenhouse study was done to measure effects of organic matter and soil compaction on earthworm biomass and activities and earthworm effects on soil bulk density and soil nutrients. The number of earthworm casts and burrows were greater in treatments with organic matter or/and with soil compaction. Soil bulk density decreased because of earthworm activities. A microbial biomass carbon was greater in treatments without earthworms than in treatments with earthworms.