Grappling with greppels: How historical soil relief structures of grassland affect earthworm abundance and reproductivity, a time series throughout the meadow bird breeding season

Hut, Meri (2024) Grappling with greppels: How historical soil relief structures of grassland affect earthworm abundance and reproductivity, a time series throughout the meadow bird breeding season. Master's Research Project 1, Ecology and Evolution.

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Abstract

The disappearance of greppels, microrelief structures in the landscape, due to the intensification of agriculture in the Netherlands may significantly impact earthworms and their ecosystem functions, such as soil improvement and serving as a food source for higher trophic levels. This study compares earthworm populations across different ecotypes in grasslands with intact greppel structures and intensively managed fields. The research was conducted during the meadow bird breeding season, a period when Dutch grassland soils typically become drier due to evaporation rates exceeding precipitation. The results show a stronger decline in earthworm populations, particularly among epigeic and endogeic ecotype species, in intensive fields compared to greppelland. The more rapid drying of soils in intensive fields hinders earthworm survival and reproduction. In contrast, greppelland retains more moisture, especially around water-retaining greppels, supporting higher reproductive activity. Earthworms in these areas exhibit prolonged fertility, which is crucial for sustaining populations. Different ecotypes, such as epigeic and endogeic species, adopt various survival strategies during drought conditions. However, their overall functionality in nutrient cycling and soil health will decrease in extended periods of drought. This study highlights greppelland as a critical refuge for earthworms during drought, helping to preserve their ecological functions, which are essential for sustainable agriculture and the ecosystem.

Item Type:	Thesis (Master's Research Project 1)
Supervisor name:	Piersma, T. and Veenstra, R.
Degree programme:	Ecology and Evolution
Thesis type:	Master's Research Project 1
Language:	English
Date Deposited:	05 Nov 2024 09:03
Last Modified:	05 Nov 2024 09:03
URI:	https://fse.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/34372

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