I would like to contribute some kind of ecological assessment of soil, and ecological analysis of creatures from a soil sounds good, but I am not sure, does it possible to create some conclusion based of analysis of mentioned organisms? If you have some similar articles, please, recommend them to me! I would like to hear your opinion.
I think it would be a good idea to pick a focus group of organisms. However, the more the merrier if you plan to do multivariate analysis. Here is a great example of a paper that picks a focus group: Campos-Herrera, R., Jaffuel, G., Chiriboga, X., Marie, F., P, V., a, 2014. Traditional and molecular detection methods reveal intense interguild competition and other multitrophic interactions associated with native entomopathogenic nematodes in Swiss tillage soils. Plant Soil. doi:10.1007/s11104-014-2358-4
I don't know if this would be helpful, but you can take a look at this study - https://www.researchgate.net/publication/233932474_Herbicides_influence_the_community_structure_of_the_soil_mezofauna
Article Herbicides influence the community structure of the soil mezofauna
Hello to you! Yes, it is possible, taking into consideration that the soil provides a living place for the life cycle of several kind of animals. Invertebrates, in particular, play a significant role in the maintenance of soil quality and health, and therefore represent key elements for a sustainable agriculture. In addition, the invertebrates are abundant, relatively easy to sample, and they can quickly respond to soil disturbance.
Also, I suggest you the research of Prof. Coleman regarding to soil biota, roles in ecosystem functions, taking into consideration that the soil must be studied like an essential constitutive part of the terrestrial ecosystems, not just alone, only of whole complex of the ecological factors and conditions, in the reciprocal interaction of whole constituents parts of environment.
Kind regards,
Geanina Bireescu
Hello, my answer to your question is positive on consideration that an organism (the specific niche preferred by the biota) is the resultant of multiple variables which might be difficult to assess but represented by the bio-indicator (the organism). I am quoting few publications below which add to this view for assessment and management of the agricultural system by anecic and endogeic earthworms.
Publications:
(1) M. C. Dash, B. K. Senapati and C. C. Mishra, 1980. Nematode feeding by Tropical earthworms. Oikos (Sweden), 34: 322- 325.
(2) B. Behera, S. Giri, N. C. Dash J. Sahu and B. K. Senapati 1999. Earthworm bioindication of forest land use pattern in western Orissa. The Indian Forester (India), 125(3):272-281.
(3) B. K. Senapati, 1992. Biotic interactions between soil nematodes and earthworms. Soil Biol. Biochem., (United Kingdom), 24(12): 1441-1444.
(4) B.K. Senapati, P. Lavelle, P.K. Panigrahi, S. Giri, and G.G. Brown, 2002. Restoring soil fertility and enhancing productivity in Indian tea plantations with earthworms and organic fertilizers,pp.1-11, FAO (Food and agriculture Organization), Paris (France) Exhibited at FAO web site: (http://www.fao.org/landandwater/agll/soilbiod/caselist.htm)
All the best,
B. K. Senapati
Check this about earthworms:
Falco LB, Sandler RV, Momo FR, Di Ciocco CA, Saravia LA, Coviella CE. (2014) Earthworm assemblages in different intensity of agricultural uses and their relation to edaphic variables. PeerJ PrePrints 2:e722v1 http://dx.doi.org/10.7287/peerj.preprints.722v1
Yes, there is a close relationship between the soil biota and the ecological condition (or biological state) of the soil. However, it is very difficult and not very helpful to analyze all organisms that constitute a soil community (often some thousand species per square meter). More reasonable is the use of proxies to characterize the ecological condition of a soil. Biological assessments of soils have been successfully performed with earthworms as indicator group. Enchytraeids (microannelids) or microarthropods can be additionally analyzed to get a more differentiated picture. Please take a look at this
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/226337560_Earthworms_as_Bioindicators_of_Soil_Quality
Best regards,
Ulfert
Chapter Earthworms as Bioindicators of Soil Quality
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