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Soil Zoology For Sustainable Development In The 21st Century: A Festschrift in Honour of Prof. Samir I. Ghabbour on the Occasion of His 70th Birthday
Editors
Foreword by Prof. M. Kassas
Cairo, Egypt
2004
Pages: xxxi + 526 + 16 colour plates.
Cover Design: Rafik Ghabbour
T
his book is meant to be a modern reference about soil fauna of the world, ecological aspects of the soil fauna groups, and their utilization in serving humankind. It is a challenging endeavor to explain the value added of those creatures that live below the ground from the point of view of their role and functionality in our life-support ecosystem as a whole.
Contents
Contents
Disclaimer
Foreword
Editors’ Introduction
Safwat H. Shakir Hanna and Wafaï Z. A. Mikhaïl xi
I - Soil Fauna Diversity, Community Ecology, And Research
1. Biodiversity, Between Science And Ethics
2. Research For Development In Namibia—From Desert Ecological Research To Sustainable Development Decision Support
Mary Seely, Johannes Henschel and Juliane Zeidler 37
3. About Biodiversity And Ecological Niches In Soil Ecosystems
J. P. Cancela da Fonseca, Étienne Kiffer, Leila Meziane, Mohamed Rihani and Sadhana Sarkar 53
Appendix. A New Ecological Niche Index
4. Thinking Big About Small Organisms: A Soil Biodiversity Research Programme
5. Community Structure Diversity (CSD): I. Theoretical Modelling Approach For Measuring Soil Fauna Biodiversity
6. Structural Characteristics Of Soil Macroinvertebrates In Temperate Forest And Herbaceous Microecosystems In Central New York, North America
Safwat H. Shakir Hanna and Daniel L. Dindal 111
7. Some Aspects Of Research On Soil Fauna In Egyptian Agricultural Soils
II - Specific Animal Groups: Nematodes, Termites, And Isopods
8. Nematodes In Their Relationship With Forest And Man: An Interesting Analysis Tool For Environmental Research
9. The Foraging Activity And Damage Inflicted By Desert Subterranean Termites
10. Characterization Of Soil Isopoda In Forest And Herbaceous Habitats In Central New York, North America
Safwat H. Shakir Hanna and Daniel L. Dindal 221
III - Ecological Adaptations Of Soil Fauna In Relation To Habitat Diversity
11. Water Conservation And The Subelytral Cavity Of Desert Tenebrionid Beetles
12. Do Epigaeic Carabid Communities Correspond To Habitat Heterogeneity?
Nausicaa Noret, Xavier Ducarme and Philippe Lebrun 253
13. New Data On Biodiversity Of Interstitial Collembola In Sand
IV - Role Of Soil Fauna In Sustainable Agriculture
14. The Role Of Woodlice (Isopoda: Oniscidea) In Mediating The Decomposition Of Leaf Litter
15. Tropical Earthworm (Pontoscolex Corethrurus: Glossoscolecidae; Polypheretima Elongata: Megascolecidae) Effects On Common Bean (Phaseolus Vulgaris) And Maize (Zea Mays) Production Under Greenhouse Conditions
George G. Brown, José C. Patrón, Isabelle Barois and Patrick Lavelle 313
16. Relationships Between Land Use, Crop Management, And Soil Microarthropods
Ciro Gardi and Cristina Menta 341
17. Vermicomposting Organic Wastes: A Review
Jorge Domínguez and Clive A. Edwards 369
18. The Influence Of Vermicomposts On Plant Growth And Pest Incidence
Clive A. Edwards, Jorge Dominguez and Norman Q. Arancon 397
Short Communication. Soil Fauna Of The Bahtim Long-Term Experimental Farm In Egypt
V - Soil Fauna And Environmental Pollution
19. Using Biomarkers Of Soil Organisms To Determine The Bioavailability Of Chemicals For Risk Assessment And Management
A.J. Reinecke, C.A.M. Van Gestel and S.A. Reinecke 427
20. Tropical Earthworms And Associated Microflora In Environmental Bioremediation And As Biotechnological Resources
VI - General Conclusions
21. A Vision Of The Role Of Soil Fauna As Biological Agents For Sustainable Development In The 21st Century
Initiative. Soil Zoology Applications
Editors’ And Authors’ Biographies
Subject Index
Plates and Photo Gallery
Foreword
Foreword
his is a volume of review papers that combines two important functions:
(1) It is a milestone pad in the steps of development of a branch of ecological sciences: soil zoology. The title is shorthand for: diversity and ecological roles of soil fauna in the processes of the biosphere and its ecosystems. The editors define the aim of the book as “to be a modern reference about soil fauna of the world, a topic with scientific depth and a global dimension.
(2) It is an expression of a well-deserved recognition of the life-long endeavours of Professor Samir I. Ghabbour, one of the cornerstone pillars of “soil zoology”.
The editors’ preface and 21 chapters of the book cover what may seem to be a wide diversity of topics that address issues of: biodiversity, functioning of ecosystems in diverse habitat types ranging from deserts to forests in worldwide geographical regimes, and aspects of soil fauna that provide benefits and that pose hazards to human interests. But all converge towards the general objective set for the book by its editors: to provide a comprehensive review of the present state of knowledge about soil animals and what can be expected of them for sustainable development in the new century; what are their benefits and what threats do they pose, if any.
Professor Samir I. Ghabbour stands as one of the prominent leaders of environmental sciences in Egypt and in the world. His research school based in, but not confined to, the Department of Natural Resources of the University of Cairo Institute of African Research and Studies, his notable contributions to ecosystem research programmes based in the Universities of Alexandria (Mediterranean ecosystems) and Aswan (Nubian Desert ecosystems), his contribution to the regional (Arab countries) programmes of environmental conservation and sustainable development, and his active and effective participation in world programmes of UNESCO Man and Biosphere (MAB) and of ICSU Scientific Committee on Problems of the Environment (SCOPE), all testify to his remarkable abilities and his devotion to a noble purpose. To this we add reference to his role as a connecting bridge between Egypt and France in domains of science and culture. This book provides well-earned praise to a notable man.
Cairo, June 2004
Source: Soil Zoology For Sustainable Development In The 21st Century: A Festschrift in Honour of Prof. Samir I. Ghabbour on the Occasion of His 70th Birthday
Editors’ Introduction
Editors’ Introduction
Safwat H. Shakir Hanna and Wafaï Z. A. Mikhaïl xi
Excerpts
[...]
The general objective of the present book is to provide a comprehensive review of the present state of knowledge about soil animals and what can be expected of them for sustainable development in the new century, what are their benefits and what threats do they pose, if any. It is also meant to be a reference on some aspects of soil fauna biology and ecology, useful for students, research workers and scientists. It includes chapters with new data on systematics of soil fauna organisms groups, diversity, use of the soil fauna in waste management and land-use. Further, the book attempts to include the role of soil fauna in sustainable development.
Soil animals are considered one of the major components of the biotic part of the ecosystem and the whole global environment. The book covers many aspects of soil fauna in major world biomes and ecosystems from their ecology, taxonomy, distribution, diversity and similarities in different habitats. Additionally the book gives the reader the practical field methodologies for extracting and sampling soil fauna from various ecological habitats, and for assessment of their density, biomass and abundance. This will lead to the modelling aspect of soil fauna and their role and functionality in the ecosystem as a part of the biotic component.
Considerable attention has recently been given to the role of soil fauna populations and their role in waste management industry to utilize them in the recycling process for the purpose of obtaining a clean environment (Edwards and Neuhauser 1988). For example; in the agriculture sector, there are many studies of the relationship between soil fauna and agriculture (Shakir 1980, Ghabbour and Shakir 1981, 1982, 1983, and 1984-1985) which include the following aspects: the beneficial species and their effects in recycling of organic waste materials, the interaction of soil fauna in controlling pests and the impact of agricultural practices on their populations, among other related studies.
Soil fauna in general, are the cryptic organisms that have a role in the ecosystem in the recycling of materials either in the natural or in the disturbed ecosystems (Ghabbour and Shakir 1981, 1982, 1983, and 1984-1985, Ghabbour et al. 1985, Shakir 1980, and 1989, Shakir and Dindal 1997, Dindal 1990). Soil animals are known since the time of Charles Darwin (1881) to have beneficial effects on soil structure and fertility. Although their direct effects on processes such as soil formation and organic matter decomposition are slower in comparison with those of microorganisms, their indirect and catalytic effects are substantial and essential. These include the improvement of nutrition and space conditions for microorganisms and higher plants, selective cropping and transportation of microorganisms, aeration, drainage, biological control of pests and last but not least , soil mixing. Generally, their role can be seen as one of the major biological agents in the slow processing of soil ecosystem formation (Macfadyen 1961, and 1963, Weetman et al. 1972, Hill et al. 1973, Behan and Hill 1978, Lee 1979, 1985, Anderson et al. 1981, Luxton 1982, Parkinson 1983, Seastedt and Crossley 1984). Unfortunately, earlier studies of the contribution of soil animals to ecosystem processes have failed to deal with the soil system as a functional whole.
Therefore, this book is meant to focus on the soil fauna of the world in order to explore and emphasize their role in the environment. Few attempts have been made to introduce and manage beneficial soil fauna (Edwards 1980, Edwards 1981, Edwards 1988, Edwards and Bohlen 1996, and Ghabbour et.al.1985). Developments in this area will eventually lead, together with parallel developments in other areas, to the redesigning of our food producing systems and to changes in our approach to soil management. Because the role of soil fauna in the nutrient cycling and as cryptic organisms working in silence, has been obscure for many decades, soil scientists did not pay much attention to their role in the productivity of the ecosystem and eventually in sustaining the development of our globe, and guaranteeing our very survival. In the coming 21st century, this role has to be exploited to its possible maximum. This is why this book is herewith modestly presented to the world’s scientific community.
[...]
Dr. Ghabbour is at present a prominent scientist and pioneer in the fields of soil zoology, ecology and natural resources in Egypt and the region. He is considered one of the few eminent scientists in the world who are specialized and leader in research earthworms biology, ecology, classification, systematic and rational utilization of soil animals.
Dr. Ghabbour as a scientist and ecologist supervised and co-supervised more than 30 Ph.D. and M. Sc. theses at Cairo University and at other national universities in Egypt and in France. He has to his credit more than 270 papers and presentations in the areas of soil biology and animal ecology, environment, natural resources, biodiversity, natural heritage, and conservation (see attached list). He also wrote or edited more than 10 books in these areas. Some of his noteworthy publications are The Re-Greening of Arab Deserts (ed., ALECSO, Cairo 1974), Egyptian and American Deserts (ed., IARS 1979), The Status of The Rural Environment In Developing Countries (ed., SCOPE-Egypt 1990, jointly with the late Prof. M.A. Ayyad), Biodiversity in Arid Lands of North Africa (ed., IUCN-Egypt 1996, jointly with Prof. K. H. Batanouny), Identification of Potential Natural Heritage Sites in Arab Countries (1998), Environmental Values in the Arab World and the Mediterranean Region (2000), and The Arab Biodiversity Strategy, An Analytical Study (ALECSO 2001). He also engineered the creation of the ArabMab Network with his The Arab Man and Biosphere Network (ArabMAB): Statutes and By-laws (1997). He also translated two French books published by the French Fondation pour le Progrès de l’Homme (FPH), into Arabic: Mission Possible (Possible Mission), by Pierre Calame, Director of the FPH (1998) and L’Etat au Cœur, ou le Meccano de la Gouvernance (The State in the Heart, or the Meccano of Governance), by P. Calame and André Talman (2000).
Dr. Ghabbour was organizer or co-organizer of many international and national scientific meetings and symposia. Furthermore, he was a consultant and expert for many national and international organizations in areas related to environmental issues of the world, natural resources, and sustainable development, notably the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), UNESCO, World Heritage, the Scientific Committee on Problems of the Environment (SCOPE), the Arab League Educational, Cultural, and Scientific Organization (ALECSO), Agence de la Francophonie in Paris (of Francophone Countries), the Blue Plan for the Mediterranean, etc. For a long time Dr. Ghabbour represents his country in several international fora, notably the International Coordinating Council of the UNESCO Man and Biosphere Programme (MAB) and the World Heritage Committee.
He obtained the “Charles Sauvage” Prize from the French Ecological Society, 1990 and was elected Corresponding Member of the Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France in the same year (where he was also invited as Visiting Professor in 1992-1993), and Board Member of the Desert Ecology Research Unit, Namibia, 1990. He lectured at many European and American Universities, and was awarded many prestigious awards, such as the Egyptian State Prize for Biological Sciences, 1980; the Medal of Sciences and Arts (Fist Order), from the President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, in 1981, the Kuwait Prize for Environmental Sciences, 1986, with a gold medal, and a Certificate of Merit (shared with the late Professor M. A. Ayyad). In 2003, he was awarded the Cairo University Prize of Merit for Research in Environmental Sciences.
Prof. Ghabbour is Member of Editorial Boards of several scientific periodicals in Egypt, France, Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands, specialized in soil biology, zoology, and environmental conservation. In 1990 he joined Dr. Donella Meadows, senior author of the epoch-making Limits to Growth, and Garrett Hardin, author of the memorial Tragedy of the Commons theory, in the UNEP video tape “Decision-Making and the Environment”, in which the three discussed the concepts of carrying capacity, the tragedy of the commons, and sustainable development, for the benefit of decision makers worldwide.
In 2002 the Biology Department of the American University in Cairo named its library and computer lab after Prof. Ghabbour because, as an eminent official said, he “had been good to biology at AUC; …good to biology in Egypt; … good to biology”, in appreciation of all that he had done at all of these levels.
Prof. Ghabbour occupied the position of Rapporteur of the Egyptian National MAB Committee as well as the SCOPE/IGBP and IUCN National Committees for more than two decades. He is at present Chairman of the Egyptian National Committee for the UNESCO Man and Biosphere Programme (MAB) which also tackles issues related to Natural Heritage in the country. He is Editor-in-Chief of the Egypt MAB Bulletin. He continues to serve as Rapporteur of the Egyptian National IUCN Committee and as member of the SCOPE/IGBP Committee. He is also President of the Egyptian Society for Environmental Applications (an NGO). More recently, he has been appointed Consultant to the Center of Research and Studies on Nature Reserves at the University of Ain Shams, Cairo.
A FINAL WORD OF THANKS
When we launched the call for publishing this book, we made it clear that it was to be made with agape (Greek for love). We hope we did achieve this objective, in spite of the delays that were not anticipated, some due to our own busy time, and some due to reasons beyond our control. [...]
[...]
Source: Soil Zoology For Sustainable Development In The 21st Century: A Festschrift in Honour of Prof. Samir I. Ghabbour on the Occasion of His 70th Birthday
1. Biodiversity, Between Science And Ethics
1. Biodiversity, Between Science And Ethics
Abstract
The relationships between the conservation of nature and ecology are described in a historical perspective, with insights into the ideological backgrounds of the “balance of nature” and “ecosystem stability“ concepts. The emergence of “biodiversity” takes place in this context, and the question of its paradigmatic value is addressed. A direct relation between ecosystem stability and species diversity has been emphasized, but disturbance ecology and landscape ecology support another view, local biodiversity resulting from dynamic and historical processes at the local and the regional scales. A theoretical framework is suggested to interpret biodiversity dynamics in an evolutionary perspective.
The biodiversity concept was coined in the context of an increasing concern with species loss, when, at the same time, the sustainable development idea was elaborated: biodiversity stands at the crossroads between scientific research and ethics debates. Conservation ideology, when excessive, could be contradictory considering the fact that life maintains itself through transformation. Nowadays, the evolutionary theory of biodiversity dynamics calls for a new ethics focussing on the unique character of biodiversity on any spatial scale, and on man’s responsibility towards the capacity for life to evolve. Emphasizing man-nature co-
evolution, such an evolutionary code of ethics could help people to take on everyone’s responsibilities towards biodiversity dynamics.
Keywords: Biodiversity, Conservation, Ecology, Evolution, Ethics
Source: Soil Zoology For Sustainable Development In The 21st Century: A Festschrift in Honour of Prof. Samir I. Ghabbour on the Occasion of His 70th Birthday
2. Research For Development In Namibia—From Desert Ecological Research To Sustainable Development Decision Support
2. Research For Development In Namibia—From Desert Ecological Research To Sustainable Development Decision Support
Mary Seely, Johannes Henschel and Juliane Zeidler 37
Abstract
Prologue: Early in the 1990s, as the Desert Research Foundation of Namibia (DRFN) was restructuring itself from an ecological research unit to a national-level non-governmental organisation in support of sustainable development, Professor Samir I. Ghabbour agreed to serve as an international member of the Board of Trustees. His contribution to establishment of the DRFN as a national and southern Africa regional institution integrating research and training into decision making for sustainable development is greatly appreciated.
Research in Namibia has adapted and responded to specific needs of this developing country, boosted by the several UN environmental conventions. Under Namibia’s programme to combat desertification and biodiversity programme, research addressed the role of termites as a dominant component of the soil fauna in arid to semi-arid Namibia. Results of this research contributed to policy and decision-making at several levels. Of primary importance in this and related research is the overall process that involves international and local researchers and students interacting with resource users and managers. Communication of research results in an understandable format for use by resource users, managers and decision-makers is considered a primary component of the research process.
Keywords: drylands, research communication, termites, UNCCD
Source: Soil Zoology For Sustainable Development In The 21st Century: A Festschrift in Honour of Prof. Samir I. Ghabbour on the Occasion of His 70th Birthday
3. About Biodiversity And Ecological Niches In Soil Ecosystems
3. About Biodiversity And Ecological Niches In Soil Ecosystems
J. P. Cancela da Fonseca, Étienne Kiffer, Leila Meziane, Mohamed Rihani and Sadhana Sarkar 53
Abstract
As it was already observed in soil ecosystems, there is a correlation between species and microhabitat biodiversities, also, a relationship with species ecological niches. In this Chapter we analyse the problem of the definition of ecological niche and the relationships between spatial, temporal and trophic diversities and niches through some data of soil micro- and macro-arthropods. A new “Global Niche Index” was applied to compare the niches of the species studied.
Keywords: biodiversity, ecological niches, global niche index, soil , diplopods, isopods, oribatid mites
Source: Soil Zoology For Sustainable Development In The 21st Century: A Festschrift in Honour of Prof. Samir I. Ghabbour on the Occasion of His 70th Birthday
Appendix. A New Ecological Niche Index
Appendix. A New Ecological Niche Index
Excerpts
According to the definition of Hutchinson (1957), the fundamental niche of MacArthur (1957) is “an n-dimensional hypervolume [...] every point in which corresponds to a state of the environment which would permit the species to exist indefinitely,” it would be interesting, for comparative studies of species niches, to have an integrative value of the niche.
[...]
Furthermore, if each component is measured by such an index like the modified niche breadth of Levins (1968) that varies from 0 to 1, the global niche magnitude will be W=W/N where N=∑Ni is the number of components i taken into account.
It is important that the magnitudes of niche components be expressed in the same units.
T
[...]
Source: Soil Zoology For Sustainable Development In The 21st Century: A Festschrift in Honour of Prof. Samir I. Ghabbour on the Occasion of His 70th Birthday
4. Thinking Big About Small Organisms: A Soil Biodiversity Research Programme
4. Thinking Big About Small Organisms: A Soil Biodiversity Research Programme
Abstract
Thinking for an integrated research programme on soil biodiversity in the United Kingdom started in 1994, and within the next four year funding of £6 million (c. US $10 million) had been obtained and the first of the 29 research projects and contracts was ready to start. This Chapter traces the origins of this imaginative research programme, and provides brief details of the component research projects and contracts. An essential feature is that the research is focused, by both field and laboratory studies, on the soil of one hectare of an upland grassland. Almost the complete range of taxa in this soil is being studied to gain as complete a picture as possible of the functional biodiversity of this soil. Some of the research programme’s major achievements are mentioned. Work with a 13CO2 input and modelling the soil ecosystem are both conceived as being essential aspects of the integration of the programme, as has been the management of the field site. Although some parallel research is being conducted on a prairie site in the USA, a wider international network of sites and studies is essential so that the generality of the upland grassland soil biodiversity research results can be tested. However, large integrated programmes are essential if complex ecological systems are to be investigated and understood.
Keywords: biodiversity, integrated research programme, upland grassland, soil biodiversity, soil ecosystem function
Source: Soil Zoology For Sustainable Development In The 21st Century: A Festschrift in Honour of Prof. Samir I. Ghabbour on the Occasion of His 70th Birthday
5. Community Structure Diversity (CSD): I. Theoretical Modelling Approach For Measuring Soil Fauna Biodiversity
5. Community Structure Diversity (CSD): I. Theoretical Modelling Approach For Measuring Soil Fauna Biodiversity
Abstract
Diversity can be considered as a measurement of the structure of soil fauna micro-communities and their function in the ecosystem. A new index called Community Structure Diversity (CSD) is described. This index not only takes into account the number of species interacting in the community, number of individuals present, proportion of each species, but also includes in it the biomass of individuals, which may be affected by feeding habit of species. One hundred and twenty five micro-communities were simulated, modelled and tested. This index shows sensitivity toward changes in species parameters. It also, gives weight in favour of rare species towards their functionality in the community.
Keywords: Community Structure Diversity (CSD), Population Density (PD), Biomass (BM), Relative Frequency (RF).
Source: Soil Zoology For Sustainable Development In The 21st Century: A Festschrift in Honour of Prof. Samir I. Ghabbour on the Occasion of His 70th Birthday
6. Structural Characteristics Of Soil Macroinvertebrates In Temperate Forest And Herbaceous Microecosystems aa73 In Central New York, North America
6. Structural Characteristics Of Soil Macroinvertebrates In Temperate Forest And Herbaceous Microecosystems aa73 In Central New York, North America
Safwat H. Shakir Hanna and Daniel L. Dindal 111
Abstract
We have determined and assessed the soil macroinvertebrate communities structure under different selected microecosystems (i.e., forest ecosystem and herbaceous ecosystem). Samples of soil macroinvertebrates and soil were studied from four sites in Lafayette Forest Experimental Station, State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry. These sites are the Northern Hardwood Forest, Tamarack Plantation, Norway Spruce and Old Field Herbaceous. They represent temperate woody (forest) vegetation cover and herbaceous ecosystems. Samples were collected from Summer 1984 through early Summer of 1985. The comparative study of temperate soil macroinvertebrate populations under these sites showed that population density (PD) generally begins to increase in Spring and continues into Summer and early Fall. This may be explained by the influence of climatic factors, of which temperature has the most distinct influence upon soil faunal activities. Furthermore, soil macroinvertebrates PD in the studied sites showed changes according to climatic seasonal variations and life history status. Also, high number of soil macroinvertebrates showed coincidence with the increased leaf litter deposition. Most of the macroinvertebrates in the studied sites belong to macrodecomposers (i.e., detritivores) and they represented 90-93% of total density (PD) and 75-97% of biomass (BM). The ratio of fuanal (BM) to their (PD) is a reflection of the availability of litter as a source of food to the fuana and the interaction between fauna trophic groups. The physio-chemical soil environment for soil macroinvertebrates includes a 20-35% soil water content, a soil pH of 5.8-6.2 and soil Eh of 510-640 mv.
Keywords: Soil macroinvertebrate communities, Woody vegetation, Grassy vegetation, Temperate ecosystems, Diversity
Source: Soil Zoology For Sustainable Development In The 21st Century: A Festschrift in Honour of Prof. Samir I. Ghabbour on the Occasion of His 70th Birthday
7. Some Aspects Of Research On Soil Fauna In Egyptian Agricultural Soils
7. Some Aspects Of Research On Soil Fauna In Egyptian Agricultural Soils
Abstract
Egyptian agricultural soils show problems for extraction of soil fauna. Some methods for sampling soil fauna which facilitate sampling in these soils, are outlined. Included is advice on the best ways for collecting and extracting of soil fauna in remote areas. A summary of some of the Egyptian soil fauna investigations is included. The interactions between insecticides and soil, effect of different types of fire and the reasons for setting it in Egypt are given.
Keywords: clay soils, extraction of soil fauna, population studies, insectides, agricultural practices, soil fertility
Source: Soil Zoology For Sustainable Development In The 21st Century: A Festschrift in Honour of Prof. Samir I. Ghabbour on the Occasion of His 70th Birthday
8. Nematodes In Their Relationship With Forest And Man: An Interesting Analysis Tool For Environmental Research
8. Nematodes In Their Relationship With Forest And Man: An Interesting Analysis Tool For Environmental Research
Abstract
The soil is a major compartment of the forest ecosystem subjected to the influence of natural phenomena and the action of man. In particular, humus represents a functional pedo-ecological unit where all the biological and abiotic components are in constant interaction. It is the place of biochemical transformations of organic matter and the recycling of elements, source of fertility of a site. The spatial heterogeneity (horizontal and vertical) of the forest ecosystem, as well as its long-term evolution (sylvigenetic cycle, forest management), act particularly upon the soil where we note modifications notably in the distribution of species, their adaptive capacities, even the morphometric plasticity of some of them, and in the organization and structure of populations and functional groups. Humus forms, acidification processes, the quantity and the quality of the annual litter fall, the size of the root system, and the natural dynamics of the forest and practices of forestry (forest types, management cycles, and fertilizations), are the principal factors of the observed modifications. While reacting to environmental conditions, the humus is also the site of biological mechanisms in which the diversity and the varied activity of the saprophagous and sapro-xylophagous fauna can be involved in modifications of its structure and its functioning, and therefore profound changes of the forest ecosystem.
Within the edaphic microfauna, nematodes represent a major functional group compared to their density, diversity, their extraordinary adaptive capacities, and their great capacity of colonization and their varied activities, enabling them to integrate all the trophic network levels. Referring to populations analysis in natural environments and disturbances generated by human action, the aim of this Chapter is to show the interest of this group as a potential indicator of environmental conditions (nature, functioning, changes in conditions, and site evolution). For this reason, these animals merit a full study: in fundamental research where they represent an essential link for the comprehension of the decomposition processes; in applied research where their use as bioindicators appears very interesting for the forest practices from the viewpoint of a sustainable ecosystem management.
Keywords: soil nematodes, soil, bioindicators, humus forms, morpho-metric plasticity
Source: Soil Zoology For Sustainable Development In The 21st Century: A Festschrift in Honour of Prof. Samir I. Ghabbour on the Occasion of His 70th Birthday
9. The Foraging Activity And Damage Inflicted By Desert Subterranean Termites
9. The Foraging Activity And Damage Inflicted By Desert Subterranean Termites
Abstract
This article is an appraisal of the findings of the work carried out on the subterranean desert termites Psammotermes hybostoma Desneux and Anacanthotermes vagans (Hagen), (Abushama and Abdel Nur, 1973, 1978, and Abushama and Al-Houty 1988, 1989, and 1992). It is an elucidation of termite foraging activity patterns, the extent of damage they inflict, and possible measures of control.
The two species exhibited peaks of foraging activity in February and September in Kuwait desert, correlated with soil moisture content. Nest sites were located by recording the frequency of wood bait infestation. Termite species domination in desert habitats was mostly determined by physical and chemical soil properties.
The highest foraging activity of A. vagans occurred at early morning and midday in summer and winter. However, the peak of activity was reversed in spring to take place in the afternoon and early evening. Laboratory aktograph records indicated that individual workers were active most of the day, not naturally entrained to photoperiod.
Local timber and imported wood proved susceptible to attack by P. hybostoma in Sudan and Kuwait. The natural durability was related to the chemical constituents of wood. However, resistance cannot be directly attributed to one particular chemical. About 25 % lignin, together with some phenolic compounds, might be a guarantee of wood resistance. Pressure treatment with copper chrome arsenate, or creosote oil, or dipping in the termitocide dursban (0.01 %) proved effective measures of control.
Keywords: subterranean termites, foraging, timber, natural durability
Source: Soil Zoology For Sustainable Development In The 21st Century: A Festschrift in Honour of Prof. Samir I. Ghabbour on the Occasion of His 70th Birthday
10. Characterization Of Soil Isopoda In Forest And Herbaceous Habitats In Central New York, North America
10. Characterization Of Soil Isopoda In Forest And Herbaceous Habitats In Central New York, North America
Safwat H. Shakir Hanna and Daniel L. Dindal 221
Abstract
This Chapter is to assess community structure and biodiversity of soil isopods in different selected forest and herbaceous habitats. Samples of isopods and soil parameters were studied from four sites in central New York. These temperate zone sites are Northern Hardwood forest, Tamarack plantation, Norway Spruce and Old Field Herbaceous. Samples were collected from Summer 1984 through early Summer 1985. Density of isopoda was higher under woody vegetative (WV) cover than herbaceous vegetative (HV) cover (26 ind./m2 under WV and 1 ind./m2 under HV). Isopoda species that were found under these sites were Trichoniscus pusillus, Oniscus asellus, Trachellipus rathkei, Porcellio scaber, Armadillidum vulgare, and Hyloniscus riparius. Furthermore, isopod density was significantly correlated with environmental factors, such as water content (WC%), organic matter (OM%) and C:N ratio. Ispod biomass was significantly correlated with only OM% and C:N ratio. The analysis of diversity of soil isopods under these sites showed that diversity was higher under WV than under HV cover. Summer and spring samples of isopoda species showed an increase in diversity over that of fall and winter. This may be due to the seasonal flux of food availability and biotic system activity in the soil of these habitats.
Keywords: Isopoda, density and biomass, temperate forest, herbaceous habitats, diversity and similarity, litter decomposition
Source: Soil Zoology For Sustainable Development In The 21st Century: A Festschrift in Honour of Prof. Samir I. Ghabbour on the Occasion of His 70th Birthday
11. Water Conservation And The Subelytral Cavity Of Desert Tenebrionid Beetles
11. Water Conservation And The Subelytral Cavity Of Desert Tenebrionid Beetles
Abstract
The morphology of the subelytral cavity in Tenebrionidae is described, and its functions discussed. It is argued that the most important of these lies in the reduction of respiratory water loss, although some thermal protection must inevitably be afforded also, especially in the case of preponderantly day-active species. The extreme variability in the size of the cavity, however, requires explanation. Larger cavities permit greater expansion of the abdomen for the storage of larger amounts of water on the rare occasions that this is available for drinking. On the other hand, enlargement of the subelytral cavity destroys the streamlined, fusiform, shape of the body and thereby inhibits burrowing. In the case of species that shelter beneath rocks and stones, the possession of a large subelytral cavity is also a handicap. The size of the cavity therefore represents a compromise between these various factors.
Keywords: subelytral cavity, deserts, Tenebrionidae, water conservation
Source: Soil Zoology For Sustainable Development In The 21st Century: A Festschrift in Honour of Prof. Samir I. Ghabbour on the Occasion of His 70th Birthday
12. Do Epigaeic Carabid Communities Correspond To Habitat Heterogeneity?
12. Do Epigaeic Carabid Communities Correspond To Habitat Heterogeneity?
Nausicaa Noret, Xavier Ducarme and Philippe Lebrun 253
Abstract
Astudy was undertaken on Carabid communities in a semi-natural grassland in Central Belgium. The site is entirely isolated in a matrix of intensive agriculture and includes a range of habitats: mesophilous and hygrophilous grassland and a quickset hedge. The aim of this research is to determine to what extent these small residual areas of ancient landscape may still contain species assemblages, characteristic of habitats that are becoming very scarce in this region. In comparison with other similar sites as well as with an intensively grazed pasture, several significant conclusions can be drawn from the results:
1. The total abundance, the specific richness and the specific diversity of the three semi-natural vegetation units are very high and on the same level as those of similar, though larger, areas situated next to zones less disturbed by intensive agriculture.
2. A very strong contrast exists between these three vegetation units and the adjacent pasture. The latter is very poor in terms of specific richness and provides in addition a habitat for a disorganized community of ubiquitous or visiting species, all of which are small in size and macropteran.
3. The three semi-natural vegetation units are each characterized by a range of typical species that are regularly found in similar larger areas. Some of these assemblages, regarding mainly the large brachypteran carabids, are nevertheless not complete. Abax ater and Carabus problematicus, for example, were not found in the quickset hedge, while Carabus auratus was not trapped in the mesophilous grassland.
4. The ecological variables governing the spatial distribution of species would appear to be mostly the open nature of the land, the humidity and the soil texture as well as human influence.
It therefore emerges that carabid species assemblages are closely linked to local conditions and that habitat selection is very clear. This confirms that the bioindicator nature of carabids as well as the viability of their communities may still persist in very confined areas enclosed within an unfavourable environment.
However, to preserve this situation favourable to biodiversity, it is essential to implement an appropriate site management plan: to enlarge the area as far as possible and to reestab-lish the connectivity with surrounding similar habitats.
Keywords: Carabids, biodiversity,. species assemblage, habitat selection, bioindicators
Source: Soil Zoology For Sustainable Development In The 21st Century: A Festschrift in Honour of Prof. Samir I. Ghabbour on the Occasion of His 70th Birthday
13. New Data On Biodiversity Of Interstitial Collembola In Sand
13. New Data On Biodiversity Of Interstitial Collembola In Sand
Abstract
New data on interstitial Collembola-fauna in sand sediment are presented here, since the worldwide review of 1997 by J.-M. Thibaud and E. Christian.
Keywords Collembola,. Faunistics, mesopsammon, arenicolous, intertidal, supralittoral, dunes, sand
Source: Soil Zoology For Sustainable Development In The 21st Century: A Festschrift in Honour of Prof. Samir I. Ghabbour on the Occasion of His 70th Birthday
14. The Role Of Woodlice (Isopoda: Oniscidea) In Mediating The Decomposition Of Leaf Litter
14. The Role Of Woodlice (Isopoda: Oniscidea) In Mediating The Decomposition Of Leaf Litter
Abstract
The decomposition of leaf litter in terrestrial systems is mediated through numerous interactions of the saprophagous soil fauna and litter-colonizing microbiota. Two major feeding guilds can be defined that roughly correspond with consumer size. Micro- and mesofaunal grazers ingest little litter material but feed upon the biofilm covering the detritus, while macrofaunal shredders, including woodlice, are involved in both grazing and biting off, chewing and consuming litter material. Shredding detritivores increase the surface area of organic material through the comminution of litter and the egestion of surface-increased faeces that provide suitable habitats for microbial decomposers, and thus, feeding by woodlice promotes microbial colonization and degradation of detritus. On the other hand, digestive processes by woodlice are significantly promoted by microbial enzymes that facilitate the utilization of deterrent and recalcitrant leaf litter compounds. Litter-colonizing microbiota serve as easily digestible food source, and cell contents of digested microbiota favour digestive processes. Thus, interactions of the soil fauna and microbiota in decomposition processes are considered truly mutualistic.
Keywords: woodlice, decomposition, leaf litter, comminution, coprophagy
Source: Soil Zoology For Sustainable Development In The 21st Century: A Festschrift in Honour of Prof. Samir I. Ghabbour on the Occasion of His 70th Birthday
15. Tropical Earthworm (Pontoscolex Corethrurus: Glossoscolecidae; Polypheretima Elongata: Megascolecidae) Effects On Common Bean (Phaseolus Vulgaris) And Maize (Zea Mays) Production Under Greenhouse Conditions
15. Tropical Earthworm (Pontoscolex Corethrurus: Glossoscolecidae; Polypheretima Elongata: Megascolecidae) Effects On Common Bean (Phaseolus Vulgaris) And Maize (Zea Mays) Production Under Greenhouse Conditions
George G. Brown, José C. Patrón, Isabelle Barois and Patrick Lavelle 313
Abstract
Earthworm (Pontoscolex corethrurus and Polypheretima elongata) effects on common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) and maize (Zea mays) production were evaluated under greenhouse conditions. P. corethrurus and P. elongata were introduced into pots filled with a sandy loam nutrient-poor Alfisol and bean growth was evaluated at three harvest dates (30, 62 and 97 d). P. corethrurus was introduced into a clayey Andosol rich in C and N, taken from a tropical rainforest with predominance of C3-type plants (15N = 6.0‰;13C = -27.3 ‰) and maize was grown with or without 15N-labeled residues (3.68 atom % 15N) surface residues and harvested on three different dates (37, 131 and 183 d). Soil bulk density, NO3 and NH4-N, pH, moisture, and plant shoot, root, pod, cob and grain biomass were measured. Changes in earthworm tissue 13C were used to determine C additions to the soil and potential assimilation of root-derived C by earthworms. Few effects of earthworms on soil properties were detected, although previous work had shown positive effects on nutrient contents of worm-worked soils and castings. Increasingly positive effects of both earthworm species on bean production were observed with time: bean plants tended to grow significantly better in the presence of both P. elongata and P. corethrurus, leading to higher plant shoot and root biomass at the final harvest, although neither bean pod nor bean seed production were significantly above control levels (no earthworms). Earthworms also increased N-uptake by plants, although no active nodules were found, due to absence of R. phaseoli in the soil. With maize, earthworms induced only a significant reduction in the above-ground biomass with earthworms and residues at the final harvest. Recovery of the 15N from residues in the plants was high (>40%), indicating a rapid recycling of the residue N into growing plants. Earthworms decreased significantly the residue N and 15N stocks but had no effects on plant 15N uptake. The number of large VAM spores was significantly increased by earthworm presence, although no differences were found in root infection by VAM. The lack of positive effects of earthworms on maize production are likely due to the soil’s richness, and lack of significant effects on soil parameters, while with beans positive effects due to earthworms were likely due to the low natural fertility of the soil used and absence of rhizobia. Earthworm biomass decreased significantly over the experimental period in all treatments (50 to about 80 % in beans, 87 % in maize), except pots with maize residues (only 20 %). Thus residues were important both for increasing maize production and maintaining earthworm biomass. Maize-root derived C reached up to 8% of the bulk soil C after 6 months, and about 8% of earthworm tissue C was derived from maize roots. The present experiment confirms the important role of soil fertility, earthworm species, plant part and experiment duration on the resulting plant response due to earthworms. Given the complexity of responses due to different combinations of earthworms, soils and plants, further work is warranted to properly determine the conditions in which plants can most profit from earthworm activities in soils.
Keywords: earthworms, common beans, maize, plant growth, organic matter, 15N, 13C
Source: Soil Zoology For Sustainable Development In The 21st Century: A Festschrift in Honour of Prof. Samir I. Ghabbour on the Occasion of His 70th Birthday
16. Relationships Between Land Use, Crop Management, And Soil Microarthropods
16. Relationships Between Land Use, Crop Management, And Soil Microarthropods
Ciro Gardi and Cristina Menta 341
Abstract
The increasing anthropic pressure on the environment is leading, in most part of the world, to a rapid land use change and an intensification of agricultural activities. These processes often determine soil degradation and consequently impact on soil fauna. The complex relationships of soil microarthropods with their ecological niches in the soil, their limited mobility and the lack of capacity to leave the soil environment, make some taxa (i.e., Collebola, Protura, Pauropoda), particularly vulnerable to soil impact. For these reasons microarthropod communities represent an excellent candidate for soil bioindication and to evaluate impacts on soil. The application of community bioindicators could be based on different aspects of community structure: from a single species level to ratios between species, from dominance structure to ecophysiological types. The density of the oribatid mite Platynothtrus peltifer as a percentage of total oribatids was used as an indicator of forest vitality (ratios between species), the Biological Soil Quality Index (QBS–Qualità Biologica del Suolo) allows an assessment of soil stability. The application of these indicators effectively demonstrated the impact on soil b5a6 resulting from land use change and agricultural practices. Comparison of different land uses, characterized by an increasing level of disturbance, has shown a progressive reduction in both number and complexity of the microarthropod community. The application of QBS in natural and anthropic land use types, carried out in Northern Italy, revealed a negative relation between the disturbance intensity and the QBS index.
Various examples of the effects of agronomic practices on soil microarthropods have been published. Crop rotation and agronomic practices (i.e., soil tillage, fertilization, manure and compost application, irrigation, pesticide application, etc.) result in different microarthropod community responses. The intensity of agronomic practices determines a change in biodiversity which can be seen in the respectively decreasing soil biodiversity found between alfalfa, wheat, corn and sugarbeet crop fields.
Furthermore the comparison between organic and conventional farming for the production of wheat, corn and tomato crops, demonstrated the effectiveness of the first system in reducing the impact on soil fauna. The effects of sewage sludge application on agricultural soils is somewhat controversial. Scientific literature demonstrates that the consequent increase in organic matter resulting from this practice causes an increase in population density of some microarthropod groups (i.e., Collembola, Carabidae and Arachnida). However compounds present in sewage sludge can accumulate in soil and become toxic for soil arthropods.
Keywords: soil fauna, microarthropods,, soil tillage, pesticides, soil quality, land use, crop management
Source: Soil Zoology For Sustainable Development In The 21st Century: A Festschrift in Honour of Prof. Samir I. Ghabbour on the Occasion of His 70th Birthday
17. Vermicomposting Organic Wastes: A Review
17. Vermicomposting Organic Wastes: A Review
Jorge Domínguez and Clive A. Edwards 369
Abstract
The importance of biological processes in the management of organic wastes has been widely recognized and this Chapter deals with one of the most efficient methods for converting solid organic materials into environmentally-friendly useful and valuable products. Vermicomposting is an accelerated process of bio-oxidation and stabilization of organic wastes involving interactions between earthworms and microorganisms.
Earthworms, the main characters of this process, are described briefly, showing how these animals can be important organic waste decomposers and converters. The different earthworm species that are suitable for vermicomposting have quite different requirements for their optimal development, growth and productivity in organic wastes and we review the life cycles of these species and the general requirements of ideal vermicomposting earthworm species. Vermicomposting is a complex biological and ecological process and to illustrate some of the important physical, chemical and biological transformations occurring during it, we present a case study.
Although earthworms are critical for the process, in vermicomposting, complex interactions between the organic matter, microorganisms, earthworms and other soil invertebrates result in the fragmentation, bio-oxidation and stabilization of organic matter. The vermicomposting system sustains complex food webs, and at the same time, modifies different chemical forms of several nutrient elements into inorganic compounds readily available to plants, which are important for nutrient dynamics.
Keywords: earthworms, vermicomposting, organic wastes, bio-oxidation, bio-stabilization, composting
Source: Soil Zoology For Sustainable Development In The 21st Century: A Festschrift in Honour of Prof. Samir I. Ghabbour on the Occasion of His 70th Birthday
18. The Influence Of Vermicomposts On Plant Growth And Pest Incidence
18. The Influence Of Vermicomposts On Plant Growth And Pest Incidence
Clive A. Edwards, Jorge Dominguez and Norman Q. Arancon 397
Abstract
During the last twenty years, considerable progress has been made in developing methods of breaking down organic wastes, including animal wastes, crop residues, urban and industrial organic refuse and sewage biosolids; which has been termed vermicomposting. Vermicomposts have a fine particulate structure, low C:N ratio, with the organic matter oxidized and stabilized and converted into humic materials. They contain nutrients transformed into plant-available forms and are extremely microbially-active. Additions of low rates of substitution of vermicomposts into greenhouse soil-less plant growth media or low application rates to field crops have consistently increased plant germination, growth, flowering, and fruiting, independent of nutrient availability. This can be at least partially, attributed to the production, by the greatly increased microbial populations, of plant growth regulators, including plant hormones, such as indole-acetic acid, gibberellins and cytokinins and also humic acids, which simulate the effects of hormones.
Vermicomposts can suppress the incidence of plant pathogens such as Pythium, Rhizoctonia and Verticillium significantly, by general or specific suppression mechanisms. Vermicomposts applied to soils have considerable influence on the trophic structure of nematode populations, significantly suppressing plant parasitic species populations. Greenhouse experiments have shown that low substitutions of vermicomposts into soil-less plant growth media can decrease the amounts of feeding and damage by sucking pests such as aphids and mealy bugs and chewing pests such as caterpillars.
All of these various inputs of vermicomposts into plant growth produce significant and economic increases in yields of ornamental, vegetable, and fruit crops. Vermicomposting has considerable potential for the large-scale conversion of environmentally undesirable organic wastes into value-added materials with great potential in horticulture and agriculture.
Keywords: vermicompots, plant growth, pest incidence, microbial activity, organic wastes
Source: Soil Zoology For Sustainable Development In The 21st Century: A Festschrift in Honour of Prof. Samir I. Ghabbour on the Occasion of His 70th Birthday
Short Communication. Soil Fauna Of The Bahtim Long-Term Experimental Farm In Egypt
Short Communication. Soil Fauna Of The Bahtim Long-Term Experimental Farm In Egypt
Excerpts
The unique Egyptian long-term experiment in Bahtim Regional Research Station, 25 km northeast of Cairo, Egypt, was conducted since 1912 under the supervision of Société Khédiviale d’Agriculture and later the Egyptian Agricultural Society. It was a permanent fertilization experiment inspired from the Rothamsted long-term experiment at Woburn farm, UK. The main objective was to determine the effect of continuous applications of mineral fertilizers on the soil physical and chemical properties. Later in 1919, a new group of plots was established, using farmyard manure. The lay-out of the experiment included 3 crop rotations: one-year rotation (cotton), two-year rotation (cotton followed by wheat and maize) and three-year rotation (cotton followed by wheat and maize, then wheat and maize again).
[...]
Application of correspondence analysis and ascending hierarchic classification to the results of the sampling showed that 38 % of the total variance was associated with the vertical axis and 18 % with the horizontal axis; i.e., weak differentiation of factors. The results indicate affinity between each pair of treatments: NPK, N, O and FYM in the one year crop rotation and NPK, N, O and FYM in the three year crop rotation. Some faunal species were in all treatments, e.g. spiders, Aphis sp., Collembola, larvae of Lepidoptera and Gryllotalpa gryllotalpa. Rare species or taxa were characterized by their outer position in the graphic representation17, and were effective in differentiation between treatments.
The obtained fauna were classified into 3 functional groups: Carnivores [considered natural enemies] C, Herbivores [considered as pests] H, and Detretivores (D). The ratio between the pests and their natural enemies H:C, is suggested to be an indicator of the natural balance in the FYM Farm-Yard Manure plots in such long-term experiment, compared with other plots, and may be used to guide our judgement on their occurrence in other cropping systems. The C:H:D ratios recorded were 1:3:6 and 1:0.6:1 in winter and spring seasons, respectively.
[...]
The importance of such discrimination of functional groups of soil fauna is to emphasize the importance of discussing their relative ratios of their occurrence in different fertilization levels, especially in case of organic farming plots or farmyard manure treatment after 90 years of application. It could be suggested that in this study the relative ratio for the 3 categories of fauna in farmyard manure treatment could be considered as the basis for identifying their natural balance under the circumistances of this Egyptian long-term experimental farm. Man should interfere only if a clear deviation from such ratios among these three groups is noticed.
Acknowledgments
Much appreciation and thanks are due to Prof. Dr. S. I. Ghabbour for suggesting the research, guidance, and encouragement, to Prof. Wafaï. Z. A. Mikhaïl for kindly performing the correspondence analysis, to Mr. Hisham K. El-Hennawy for kindly identifying the spiders, and to Eng. Samy B. Abdel-Sayyed, former Director of the Bahtim Farm, for kindly facilitating the field work. A tribute is due to . Prof. Mahmoud Samir Abdel-Fattah who kept and managed the Bahtim long-term experiment for a very long time.
[...]
Source: Soil Zoology For Sustainable Development In The 21st Century: A Festschrift in Honour of Prof. Samir I. Ghabbour on the Occasion of His 70th Birthday
19. Using Biomarkers Of Soil Organisms To Determine The Bioavailability Of Chemicals For Risk Assessment And Management
19. Using Biomarkers Of Soil Organisms To Determine The Bioavailability Of Chemicals For Risk Assessment And Management
A.J. Reinecke, C.A.M. Van Gestel and S.A. Reinecke 427
Abstract
Soils are very heterogeneous substrates providing an environmental matrix with varying spatial and temporal gradients of pH, organic carbon, particle size distribution, and moisture content for soil organisms. These chemical, physical as well as biological factors determine the bioavailability of chemicals to soil-dwelling invertebrates. This review of recent literature on the use of the bioavailability concept in soil ecotoxicology indicates that the concept is often used unqualified and indiscriminately to mean different things to different authors. A clear understanding of the concept is crucial for toxicity testing, environmental monitoring, risk assessment, and the setting of soil quality criteria, since knowledge of the actual exposure of organisms, and not merely the total amount of chemical, is required. The aim of this paper is to contribute towards a clarification of the concept and to explore the potential role biomarkers in soil organisms can play in assessing bioavailability, with special reference to metals in soils. The question is also addressed whether these biomarkers can play a role in risk assessment and management of chemicals in soils, especially since the study revealed that the scientific bases for their adequate use in risk assessment is still weak. Apart from defining bioavailability, the problems related to inter-soil and inter-species comparisons of toxicity data are discussed. It is concluded that biomarker responses provide an early indication that uptake and internal exposure has taken place and that a toxic response has been initiated. This gives them the striking advantage of indicating the start of a reaction where chemical residue data alone are not necessarily indicative of a toxic response. They are expected to play an important future role as practical diagnostic tools for assessing bioavailability. Both abiotic (soil and environmental characteristics) and biotic aspects (species-dependant), have an influence on the bioavailability of a contaminant for soil organisms. This requires a dynamic approach which considers both physico-chemically driven desorption and physiologically driven uptake processes, as well as a variety of other biological factors when attempting to derive quality criteria for contaminants in soils.
Keywords: bioavailability, biomarkers, bioassays, body burdens, soil organisms, metals, risk assessment
Source: Soil Zoology For Sustainable Development In The 21st Century: A Festschrift in Honour of Prof. Samir I. Ghabbour on the Occasion of His 70th Birthday
20. Tropical Earthworms And Associated Microflora In Environmental Bioremediation And As Biotechnological Resources
20. Tropical Earthworms And Associated Microflora In Environmental Bioremediation And As Biotechnological Resources
Abstract
There is need to develop effective eco-farming systems to address sustainable fertility of tropical soils and to foster bioremediation of soil structure, texture, cation exchange capacity (CEC), soil colloids, and organic matter, which have been depleted and impaired by the application of deleterious inorganic fertilizers, pesticides and other cultural practices. The resources of both microflora and soil fauna need to be effectively harnessed for bioremediation of tropical soils. This study highlights the capabilities of two tropical earthworms (tew): Eudrilus eugeniae (Ee) and Pontoscolex corethrurus (Pc), to bioremediate soil texture, structure, available P, CEC, and petroleum polluted soil. Data are presented on some Streptosporangium isolated (of biotechnological interest) from the casts of tew. These isolates were: N-fixers, crude petroleum metabolizers, and rock phosphate solubilizers. Their amylase enzyme produced on N-free or NH4Cl enriched cassava starch was acid fast, stable, and thermophilic, with maximum activity above 75˚ C. Potted experiments with organic residues proved that both Ee and Pc were effective organic bioremediators. Both earthworms were capable of bioremediating solid state fermented (SSF) and aerated organic residues. They differed however in their bioremediation modus operandi. Eudrilus eugeniae, unlike Pontoscolex corethrurus, is an efficient composter, composting and bioremediating SSF within or outside the soil. In contrast, exposure of Pontoscolex corethrurus in SSF outside the soil or freshly incorporated inside the soil is lethal. Applied as mulch on the soil, SSF is safe and acceptable. The earthworm accesses SSF from within the soil by means of its semi-liquid cast slurry injected into the mulch, thereby bioremediating, assimilating, and incorporating it inside the soil, preferentially in the subsoil (10-11cm depth). Potted experiments with Paspalum grass mulch treated or not treated with either pig or poultry droppings proved the capability of Pc to mediate substantially absolute increases (19 % - 30 %) in soil clay content and (53 % - 92 %), in silt content, depending on the Paspalum treatments. This proved that Pc was actually involved in clay and silt production.
Keywords: thermophilic, thermostable, amylase producing Streptosporangium, tropical earthworm, clay production
Source: Soil Zoology For Sustainable Development In The 21st Century: A Festschrift in Honour of Prof. Samir I. Ghabbour on the Occasion of His 70th Birthday
21. A Vision Of The Role Of Soil Fauna As Biological Agents For Sustainable Development In The 21st Century
21. A Vision Of The Role Of Soil Fauna As Biological Agents For Sustainable Development In The 21st Century
Excerpts
Soil fauna is considered one of the major biotic components of soil ecosystems. These organisms play a significant role in the conversion, recycling, and transformation of organic matter in the soil. During the last several decades many scientists have done research work and explored their functionality and diversity in various ecosystems. In the following pages I will try to introduce and extract the major aspects of the present book’s objectives and what we can visualize about the importance, role, and impacts of soil fauna in the new 21st century. In this respect, the editors and authors of Chapters in this book indicated what are the concerns and concepts for future work of soil fauna.
Soil fauna with their diverse species in the soil, are considered the most hidden workers and energetic creatures below the ground. Their functionality includes decomposing, breaking up, comminuting litter and the organic materials in the soil. Dindal (1990) indicated that these organisms are to be considered the regulators of microbial processes through the comminuting, translocation, defaecation, and inoculation of microbial propagules. These organisms play significant roles in energy transformation through the feeding habits (i.e., food webs) of these diverse organisms through the relationship with detritus and predation behaviour.
Soil fauna organisms are exposed to several aspects of selection pressures, i.e., use of mechanical agricultural practices in the soil, exposure to different chemicals such as pesticides and fertilizers, water reduction in soil they are living in (i.e., adaptations to harsh conditions, changes in land-use, and finally pollution with hazardous materials).
Figure 1 shows a model describing the impact of different selection pressures on soil fauna. In this diagram the model shows the relationship between soil fauna as one of the major components of biological systems in the soil, their diversity, and in consequence their impact on sustainable development. In this respect, sustainable development is considered the maintaining of the productivity of the major ecosystems in the globe. This follows as an aspect of maintaining balance in the biotic and abiotic components of the biosphere. One of the major biotic components is the soil fauna. Therefore, the maintaining and improving of the balance of soil fauna species in the ecosystem should be of interest to humans, due to their role and functionality in the ecosystem and in consequence maintaining biodiversity and continued productivity.
In this book, the authors discussed the following issues: 1) Soil fauna diversity, ecology and research, 2) Specific animal groups including nematodes and termites, 3) Ecological adaptation, especially as regards water conservation, and distribution of soil fauna in relation to habitat heterogeneity, 4) Role of soil fauna in mediation of organic materials in relation to sustainable development, and 5) Soil animals and environmental pollution.
[...]
FUTURE RESEARCH ON SOIL FAUNA
The Editors think that soil fauna research must be concentrated on elucidating the roles of every functional group of soil animals in biological soil fertility, regardless of their taxonomic affinities, such as: plant litter detritivores, fungal feeders, lignin decomposers, animal litter detritivores with chewing mouthparts, or with soft or no mouthparts, micro-predators, macro-predators, omnivores, keratin decomposers, etc. In addition, their role in transmission of plant and animal diseases and damage to material is of the utmost importance for a sustainable development strategy. Second, research must address gentics and biomarkers of soil fauna in the environment. The genetics of soil fauna will allow to draw the biogenetic map of some considerable biologically active species on this earth. These species have an unravelled genetic biological wealth of information regarding biodiversity. This will lead to a new era of scientific knowledge about soil fauna and their role in soil systems, and in consequence, in the global biome. Further, it is very important to construct a simulation model that can calculate and predict the role of soil fauna in the global biome, in the sense of their impact on global participation in ecosystem productivity, taking into account the dynamic changes of ecological parameters that have impacts on soil fauna populations. Most importantly, we have to think about the role of soil fauna, their direct and indirect imapcts on biome productivity to maintain and sustain the continuation of life on our earth, and to support our increasing human population. This will lead to a new era of scientific knowledge about soil fauna, and to their utilization to their full capacity and full advantage.
Source: Soil Zoology For Sustainable Development In The 21st Century: A Festschrift in Honour of Prof. Samir I. Ghabbour on the Occasion of His 70th Birthday
Initiative. Soil Zoology Applications
Initiative. Soil Zoology Applications
Excerpts
The promise of Information Technology did not fulfil. Scientists in every major field had early expectations that faded away. Yet, current state-of-the-market technologies offer a new outlook and endless opportunities. New types of applications serving sustainable development are offering themselves. Old ones, like Expert Systems or Decision Support Systems, may be revisited.
[...]
Hence, Initiative Components are as follows.
Construct Component: Roster of Experts. Serves Application Virtual Consulting, …
Primitive Component: Soil Classification.
Primitive Component: Soil Charter.
Construct Component: Networking and Information Dissemination.
Construct Component: Globally Distributed Biodiversity Database. Each institution is managing its local Biodiversity Database. The set of local Biodiversity Databases compliant with the proposed Initiative may be queried globally.
Construct Component: Document Content Management tools.
Construct Component: New global Authoring tools and Office Collaboration. Builds on Construct Roster of Experts.
Application Component: Publication Availability.
Application Component: Project Leads. It connects Providers to Project Customers.
Application Component: Core Services. They provide Strategies, Approaches, and Techniques (description of specific Processes, Products, Resources, …) for Soil Conservation, Extension Services (having specific foci like Exporting Environment Friendly Products, Green Label), Bioremediation, or Biotechnology, etc.
Application Component: Online Resource Kit. It serves each one of the Core Services.
Application Component: Virtual Consulting.
These Components are partially developed by p/Consulting and are accessible at http://www.auroria.tkÄDevelopment.
Source: Soil Zoology For Sustainable Development In The 21st Century: A Festschrift in Honour of Prof. Samir I. Ghabbour on the Occasion of His 70th Birthday
Subject Index
Subject Index
Application
Entries of Subject Index shall be provided to use with popular word processors to generate automatically Index Entries of a new text. Soon.
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