Impact of Biochar on Earthworm Populations: A Review
Despite the overwhelming importance of earthworm activity in the soil system, there are a limited number of studies that have examined the impact resulting from biochar addition to soil. Biochar is part of the black carbon continuum of chemo-thermal converted biomass. This review summarizes existing...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2011-01-01
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| Series: | Applied and Environmental Soil Science |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2011/541592 |
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| _version_ | 1849699110212337664 |
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| author | Sharon L. Weyers Kurt A. Spokas |
| author_facet | Sharon L. Weyers Kurt A. Spokas |
| author_sort | Sharon L. Weyers |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Despite the overwhelming importance of earthworm activity in the soil system, there are a limited number of studies that have examined the impact resulting from biochar addition to soil. Biochar is part of the black carbon continuum of chemo-thermal converted biomass. This review summarizes existing data pertaining to earthworms where biochar and other black carbon substances, including slash-and-burn charcoals and wood ash, have been applied. After analyzing existing studies on black carbon, we identified that these additions have a range from short-term negative impacts to long-term null effects on earthworm population density and total biomass. Documented cases of mortality were found with certain biochar-soil combinations; the cause is not fully understood, but hypothesized to be related to pH, whether the black carbon is premoistened, affects feeding behaviors, or other unknown factors. With wood ashes, negative impacts were overcome with addition of other carbon substrates. Given that field data is limited, soils amended with biochar did not appear to cause significant long-term impacts. However, this may indicate that the magnitude of short-term negative impacts on earthworm populations can be reduced with time. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2eccfa6aa41b4f49b1f66de026eabeec |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1687-7667 1687-7675 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2011-01-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Applied and Environmental Soil Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-2eccfa6aa41b4f49b1f66de026eabeec2025-08-20T03:18:42ZengWileyApplied and Environmental Soil Science1687-76671687-76752011-01-01201110.1155/2011/541592541592Impact of Biochar on Earthworm Populations: A ReviewSharon L. Weyers0Kurt A. Spokas1USDA Agricultural Research Service, North Central Soil Conservation Research Lab, 803 Iowa Avenue, Morris, MN 56267, USAUSDA Agricultural Research Service, Soil and Water Management Unit, University of Minnesota, 1991 Upper Buford Circle, S. Paul, MN 55108, USADespite the overwhelming importance of earthworm activity in the soil system, there are a limited number of studies that have examined the impact resulting from biochar addition to soil. Biochar is part of the black carbon continuum of chemo-thermal converted biomass. This review summarizes existing data pertaining to earthworms where biochar and other black carbon substances, including slash-and-burn charcoals and wood ash, have been applied. After analyzing existing studies on black carbon, we identified that these additions have a range from short-term negative impacts to long-term null effects on earthworm population density and total biomass. Documented cases of mortality were found with certain biochar-soil combinations; the cause is not fully understood, but hypothesized to be related to pH, whether the black carbon is premoistened, affects feeding behaviors, or other unknown factors. With wood ashes, negative impacts were overcome with addition of other carbon substrates. Given that field data is limited, soils amended with biochar did not appear to cause significant long-term impacts. However, this may indicate that the magnitude of short-term negative impacts on earthworm populations can be reduced with time.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2011/541592 |
| spellingShingle | Sharon L. Weyers Kurt A. Spokas Impact of Biochar on Earthworm Populations: A Review Applied and Environmental Soil Science |
| title | Impact of Biochar on Earthworm Populations: A Review |
| title_full | Impact of Biochar on Earthworm Populations: A Review |
| title_fullStr | Impact of Biochar on Earthworm Populations: A Review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Impact of Biochar on Earthworm Populations: A Review |
| title_short | Impact of Biochar on Earthworm Populations: A Review |
| title_sort | impact of biochar on earthworm populations a review |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2011/541592 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT sharonlweyers impactofbiocharonearthwormpopulationsareview AT kurtaspokas impactofbiocharonearthwormpopulationsareview |