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Updated: Jul 3, 2025

Simulating Temperature in a Soil Incubation Experiment

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Published on: October 28, 2022

Earthworms and plants can decrease soil greenhouse gas emissions by modulating soil moisture fluctuations and soil

Pierre Ganault^1,2,3,4, Johanne Nahmani², Yvan Capowiez⁵

¹ECODIV, INRAE, Normandie Université, UNIROUEN, Rouen, France.

|February 15, 2024

Summary

Earthworms and plants do not increase greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and may reduce emissions. Endogeic earthworms, in particular, can lower nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions by altering soil structure and moisture.

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High-throughput Fluorometric Measurement of Potential Soil Extracellular Enzyme Activities

High-throughput Fluorometric Measurement of Potential Soil Extracellular Enzyme Activities

Published on: November 15, 2013

Area of Science:

Soil Science
Ecology
Environmental Science

Background:

Earthworms can enhance soil microbial activity, potentially increasing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
The impact of earthworms on GHG emissions in the presence of plants and fluctuating soil moisture, influenced by earthworm burrowing, is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the effects of different earthworm species (anecic, endogeic, both) and plants on soil CO2 and N2O emissions.
To assess how earthworm burrowing influences soil water dynamics and its subsequent effect on GHG emissions.
To examine the relationship between soil macroporosity, created by earthworms, and GHG emissions.

Main Methods:

A 3-month greenhouse mesocosm experiment was conducted using simplified agricultural conditions.
Mesocosms incorporated drainage to simulate earthworm-induced water flow changes during drying-wetting cycles.
Soil CO2 and N2O emissions, soil macroporosity (via X-ray tomography), and water content were monitored.

Main Results:

Cumulative N2O emissions were significantly lower (34.6-44.8%) with earthworm presence, and 19.8% lower with plants.
CO2 emissions showed slight reductions (5.9-11.4%) with endogeic or mixed earthworm presence, while plants increased CO2 by 6%.
Earthworms, plants, and soil water content interactively influenced N2O emissions, linked to soil dryness from burrow drainage and evapotranspiration. GHG emissions decreased with increased topsoil macropore volume.

Conclusions:

Under experimental conditions accounting for plant and earthworm effects on soil moisture, earthworms do not elevate GHG emissions.
Endogeic earthworms, and potentially their combination with anecic species, can reduce N2O emissions.
Earthworm-induced changes in soil structure (macroporosity) and water dynamics play a key role in regulating GHG fluxes, potentially mitigating emissions through reduced microbial activity and anaerobic microsites.