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Experimental Manipulation of Soil Invertebrate Populations for Trophic Studies
Author(s) -
Edwards C. A.,
Reichle D. E.,
Crossley D. A.
Publication year - 1969
Publication title -
ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.144
H-Index - 294
eISSN - 1939-9170
pISSN - 0012-9658
DOI - 10.2307/1933907
Subject(s) - earthworm , trophic level , invertebrate , oligochaeta (plant) , fumigation , ecology , litter , enchytraeidae , soil biology , biology , population , detritivore , lumbricidae , pesticide , aldrin , soil water , dieldrin , demography , sociology
The experimental application of pesticides is developed for manipulation of populations of soil microarthropods, earthworms, and flora to provide controlled populations of soil invertebrates for studies of their role in litter and soil turnover. The technique employs a soil fumigrant (dichloropropene,D—D), an insecticide (aldrin), and an earthworm extractant (formalin) for elimination of various biotic groups. D—D fumigation effectively eliminated earthworms, and reduced microarthropod populations by 98.3%. With periodic application of aldrin to fumigated soil, recolonization by microarthropods was held to 6.5% of control densities after 8 months. Formalin extraction of earthworms remained 80% efficient 6 months after presents the methods of treatment, subsequent population changes, and rates of recolonization of soil by specific invertebrate groups.