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Global earthworm distribution and activity windows based on soil hydromechanical constraints
Siul A Ruiz1,2, Samuel Bickel3,4, Dani Or3,5
1Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics, Soil and Terrestrial Environmental Physics, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zürich), Zürich, Switzerland. s.a.ruiz@soton.ac.uk.
Communications Biology
|May 22, 2021
Summary
Earthworm burrowing, essential for soil health, is limited by soil moisture and texture. A new model predicts global earthworm habitats, revealing climate change impacts on these vital soil engineers.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Soil Science
- Biophysics
Background:
- Earthworm bioturbation is crucial for soil structure and hydrological functions in agriculture.
- Earthworm burrowing relies on their hydroskeleton, with activity limited by soil's hydromechanical properties (≈200kPa).
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a mechanistic biophysical model predicting earthworm habitat suitability based on soil conditions.
- To create the first global map of earthworm habitats, incorporating biomechanical and environmental constraints.
Main Methods:
- Developed a mechanistic biophysical model linking earthworm biomechanics to soil moisture and texture.
- Incorporated constraints like temperature, soil pH, and sand content to predict global earthworm distribution.
- Validated model predictions against observed earthworm occurrence patterns.
Main Results:
- The model accurately predicts earthworm habitat suitability across diverse biomes.
- Earthworm activity is significantly constrained by seasonal soil hydromechanical dynamics, varying with latitude.
- The model identifies potential earthworm migration pathways and climate-sensitive regions.
Conclusions:
- Earthworm distribution and activity are predictable using a mechanistic biophysical model.
- Seasonal and latitudinal variations in soil conditions critically influence earthworm habitats.
- The model provides a tool for understanding climate change impacts on earthworm populations and soil functions.
