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Impact of Biochar on Earthworm Populations : A Review
Joint Authors
Weyers, Sharon L.
Spokas, Kurt A.
Source
Applied and Environmental Soil Science
Issue
Vol. 2011, Issue 2011 (31 Dec. 2011), pp.1-12, 12 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2011-10-26
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
12
Main Subjects
Earth Science , Water and Environment
Abstract EN
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.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Weyers, Sharon L.& Spokas, Kurt A.. 2011. Impact of Biochar on Earthworm Populations : A Review. Applied and Environmental Soil Science،Vol. 2011, no. 2011, pp.1-12.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-480008
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Weyers, Sharon L.& Spokas, Kurt A.. Impact of Biochar on Earthworm Populations : A Review. Applied and Environmental Soil Science No. 2011 (2011), pp.1-12.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-480008
American Medical Association (AMA)
Weyers, Sharon L.& Spokas, Kurt A.. Impact of Biochar on Earthworm Populations : A Review. Applied and Environmental Soil Science. 2011. Vol. 2011, no. 2011, pp.1-12.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-480008
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-480008