Abstract
Earthworms have an important influence on the terrestrial ecological environment. This study assesses the effect of different earthworm densities on soil water content (SWC) and evaporation in a laboratory experiment. Four earthworm densities (0 no-earthworm, control [C]; 207 earthworms m−2, low density [LDE]; 345 earthworms m−2, medium density [MDE]; and 690 earthworms m−2, high density [HDE]) are tested in soil columns. Results show that cumulative evaporation occurs in the decreasing order of densities: C (98.6 mm) > LDE (115.8 mm) > MDE (118.4 mm) > HDE (124.6 mm). Compared with the control, earthworm activity decreases cumulative soil evaporation by 5.0–20.9%, increases soil temperature to 0.46 °C–0.63 °C at 8:00, and decreases soil temperature to 0.21 °C–0.52 °C at 14:00 on the soil surface. Temperature fluctuations reduce with increasing earthworm densities. A negative correlation is found between cumulative soil evaporation and earthworm density (R2 = 0.969, p < 0.001). Earthworms significantly (p < 0.05) decrease the surface SWC loss (0–20 cm) soil layer but increase the subsoil SWC loss (60–100 cm) by adjusting the soil temperature and reducing soil water evaporation. Earthworm activities (burrows, casts…) improve the soil water holding ability by adjusting soil temperature and reducing soil water evaporation. Thus, the population quantity of earthworms may provide valuable ecosystem services in soil water and heat cycles to save water resources and realize sustainable agricultural development.
Highlights
The frequency of extreme weather events is expected to increase worldwide in the 21st century [1]
We evaluated the effects of the earthworms on soil water content (SWC) and evaporation by varying the number of earthworms introduced into each column
Our findings suggest that the population quantity of earthworm activity is an important factor that affects the terrestrial ecohydrological cycle
Summary
The frequency of extreme weather events is expected to increase worldwide in the 21st century [1]. The storage and evaporation of soil water are major forms of soil water consumption in the water cycles of agricultural production and ecosystems These processes are mainly affected by soil water content (SWC), soil texture and structure, and soil organic matter, excluding meteorological factors. Analysis of the influence of soil macro fauna, earthworms, ants, and termites, on runoff and infiltration increasingly attracts soil scientists [2,3,4]. These organisms increase water flow [5], improve soil fertility quality and the aboveground biomass in agroecosystems [6] and water infiltration [7], and increase crop yield [3]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
