Abstract: From 9 March 2016 to 12 November 2018 we conducted an intensive experimental field campaign, the WormEx I Experiment, to quantitatively assess the seasonality of the earthworm macropores and their effect on the soil hydrological properties in a temperate mountain range. Six 1-m2 plots were selected in two shallow soils in Valle Camonica (Central Italian Alps) at an elevation of 274 and 935 m a.s.l., in order to count the earthworm macropores. Two plots were amended with calcium trioxocarbonate to stimulate the digging activity. In this work we present results regarding the seasonality of earthworm macropores, its correlation with the antecedent meteorological conditions and the effectiveness of calcium trioxocarbonate. Earthworm activity showed a marked seasonality with Winter hibernation and medium or great digging activity during all the other seasons. A relevant peak of Summer and Autumn macropores was detected in the site at 935 m a.s.l. The castings number resulted very well positively correlated to the antecedent air temperature in both sites. It resulted correlated to the antecedent precipitation, with increasing Pearson’s coefficient at increasing time window in the range from 1 day to 8 weeks. Also, it resulted very well positively correlated to the antecedent average soil water content in a range from 1 to 4 days. Finally, the calcium trioxocarbonate proved to be effective at stimulating the earthworm digging activity.
Seasonality of Earthworm Macropores in a Temperate Alpine Area
Pezzotti D.;Peli M.;Sanzeni A.;Barontini S.
2021-01-01
Abstract
Abstract: From 9 March 2016 to 12 November 2018 we conducted an intensive experimental field campaign, the WormEx I Experiment, to quantitatively assess the seasonality of the earthworm macropores and their effect on the soil hydrological properties in a temperate mountain range. Six 1-m2 plots were selected in two shallow soils in Valle Camonica (Central Italian Alps) at an elevation of 274 and 935 m a.s.l., in order to count the earthworm macropores. Two plots were amended with calcium trioxocarbonate to stimulate the digging activity. In this work we present results regarding the seasonality of earthworm macropores, its correlation with the antecedent meteorological conditions and the effectiveness of calcium trioxocarbonate. Earthworm activity showed a marked seasonality with Winter hibernation and medium or great digging activity during all the other seasons. A relevant peak of Summer and Autumn macropores was detected in the site at 935 m a.s.l. The castings number resulted very well positively correlated to the antecedent air temperature in both sites. It resulted correlated to the antecedent precipitation, with increasing Pearson’s coefficient at increasing time window in the range from 1 day to 8 weeks. Also, it resulted very well positively correlated to the antecedent average soil water content in a range from 1 to 4 days. Finally, the calcium trioxocarbonate proved to be effective at stimulating the earthworm digging activity.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
