Earthworm burrowing modes and rates depend on earthworm species and soil mechanical resistance

Earthworms drive multiple soil processes, but their specific impact on functions differs between earthworm species and ecological categories. A key challenge in modern agriculture is compaction due to heavy machinery, we have limited quantitative knowledge about how the burrowing activity of different affected by compaction. Here, address this question a laboratory experiment with 2-D terraria, where used Aporrectodea caliginosa (Savigny, 1826) longa (Ude, 1885) as representatives two We exposed both four mechanical resistance levels monitored for three days. quantified rates cast production, assessed mode, estimated energy requirements function resistance. The results showed that significantly decreased increasing resistance, was species-dependent lower A. longa. changed mode towards ingestion when increased, shift more prominent primarily burrowed via cavity expansion (i.e. pushing aside) at low further show requirement produced per unit burrow length increased Our study revealed significant adverse effects burrowing, which turn has consequences many processes mediated earthworms, such water infiltration, aeration, nutrient cycling organic matter turnover.