Effect of land use change, cropping systems and soil type on earthworm cast production in West and Central Africa

Data on earthworm surface cast deposition in undisturbed, cropped and recovering sites from West and Central Africa were compiled to assess the effects of land use system (LUS) change and if casting can be used to indicate soil quality. Annual cast deposition in undisturbed systems was significantly...

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Autores principales: Hauser, S., Norgrove, L., Asawalam, D., Schulz, S.
Formato: Journal Article
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: Elsevier 2012
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/77437
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author Hauser, S.
Norgrove, L.
Asawalam, D.
Schulz, S.
author_browse Asawalam, D.
Hauser, S.
Norgrove, L.
Schulz, S.
author_facet Hauser, S.
Norgrove, L.
Asawalam, D.
Schulz, S.
author_sort Hauser, S.
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description Data on earthworm surface cast deposition in undisturbed, cropped and recovering sites from West and Central Africa were compiled to assess the effects of land use system (LUS) change and if casting can be used to indicate soil quality. Annual cast deposition in undisturbed systems was significantly higher on Alfisols (49,000 kg ha 1) than on Ultisols (25,000 kg ha 1). Vegetation clearance had significant detrimental effects on earthworm activity. With an increasing length of continuous cropping, cast deposition declined. In young fallows, cast production exceeded levels attained in previously un-cropped controls on Alfisols, yet, on Ultisols, it depended on the previous LUS and length of the previous cropping phase. Recovery was highest after agrisilviculture and after clearing bush fallow. After forest clearance, burning and one year cropping, cast deposition did not recover within three years. On Alfisols, cast production was higher under planted tree fallow and natural fallow than under herbaceous fallow. On Ultisols, fallow type had no effect. Earthworm surface cast production contributes to soil quality. However, its suitability as an indicator of soil quality is limited to rough assessments as it is dependent upon earthworm species composition, vegetation management and soil type, with more drastic changes on the poorer Ultisols than the morefertile Alfisols.
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spelling CGSpace774372024-05-01T08:15:34Z Effect of land use change, cropping systems and soil type on earthworm cast production in West and Central Africa Hauser, S. Norgrove, L. Asawalam, D. Schulz, S. earthworm casts mulching soil quality slash burn agriculture microbiology Data on earthworm surface cast deposition in undisturbed, cropped and recovering sites from West and Central Africa were compiled to assess the effects of land use system (LUS) change and if casting can be used to indicate soil quality. Annual cast deposition in undisturbed systems was significantly higher on Alfisols (49,000 kg ha 1) than on Ultisols (25,000 kg ha 1). Vegetation clearance had significant detrimental effects on earthworm activity. With an increasing length of continuous cropping, cast deposition declined. In young fallows, cast production exceeded levels attained in previously un-cropped controls on Alfisols, yet, on Ultisols, it depended on the previous LUS and length of the previous cropping phase. Recovery was highest after agrisilviculture and after clearing bush fallow. After forest clearance, burning and one year cropping, cast deposition did not recover within three years. On Alfisols, cast production was higher under planted tree fallow and natural fallow than under herbaceous fallow. On Ultisols, fallow type had no effect. Earthworm surface cast production contributes to soil quality. However, its suitability as an indicator of soil quality is limited to rough assessments as it is dependent upon earthworm species composition, vegetation management and soil type, with more drastic changes on the poorer Ultisols than the morefertile Alfisols. 2012-03 2016-10-27T08:30:46Z 2016-10-27T08:30:46Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/77437 en Limited Access Elsevier Hauser, S., Norgrove, L., Asawalam, D. & Schulz, S. (2012). Effect of land use change, cropping systems and soil type on earthworm cast production in West and Central Africa. European Journal of Soil Biology, 49, 47-54.
spellingShingle earthworm casts
mulching
soil quality
slash
burn
agriculture
microbiology
Hauser, S.
Norgrove, L.
Asawalam, D.
Schulz, S.
Effect of land use change, cropping systems and soil type on earthworm cast production in West and Central Africa
title Effect of land use change, cropping systems and soil type on earthworm cast production in West and Central Africa
title_full Effect of land use change, cropping systems and soil type on earthworm cast production in West and Central Africa
title_fullStr Effect of land use change, cropping systems and soil type on earthworm cast production in West and Central Africa
title_full_unstemmed Effect of land use change, cropping systems and soil type on earthworm cast production in West and Central Africa
title_short Effect of land use change, cropping systems and soil type on earthworm cast production in West and Central Africa
title_sort effect of land use change cropping systems and soil type on earthworm cast production in west and central africa
topic earthworm casts
mulching
soil quality
slash
burn
agriculture
microbiology
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/77437
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