![]() ![]() ![]() Nicole has developed an identification guide that offers advice on when and how to sample for earthworms. Farmers and others use earthworms as a simple way to monitor soil health. Scientists aren’t the only ones observing earthworms. CAT scans are expensive for humans and earthworms alike! The burrows stay intact so Trish can observe how they develop and change with time. However, Trish has scanned soil cores both with and without earthworms to observe physical changes in the soil structure. The disadvantages are that it is time consuming and laborious and it destroys the burrows.Įarthworm burrows are difficult to observe but Trish has found a novel way to make non-destructive measurements of the burrows – computed axial tomography (CAT). The advantages of this method are its reliability and simplicity. This involves digging a cube of soil, sifting through it and counting the earthworms. To identify and quantify which species of earthworms live in an area, the most reliable method is hand sorting. To answer such questions, soil scientists Dr Nicole Schon from AgResearch and Dr Trish Fraser from Plant & Food Research use a number of techniques. ![]() Which species are present and where? How much do they eat? How are they affected by farm management practices? Observation techniques It is well known that earthworm burrows increase water infiltration and soil aeration and that earthworms have a major impact on nutrient cycling. Research into earthworm activity continues today. The Raetihi farmer’s observation of his paddocks’ differing productivity levels led him to experiment by distributing earthworms around his farm. Observations may be the catalyst to scientific investigations. A few years later, scientists backed up the farmer’s observations and quantified the positive effects earthworms have on pastoral productivity. He thought this was due to lumbricid earthworms living in some of his paddocks but absent in others, so he experimented by distributing earthworms around his farm. A Raetihi farmer noticed that parts of his farm were more productive than others. He tested their sensitivity to light and heat, observed their food preferences and even set up challenges to test their intelligence!įast forward 50 years and observations of a more practical nature were taking place in New Zealand. Darwin kept pots of soil in his study so he could observe earthworms. Charles Darwin is credited with inspiring popular and scientific interest in earthworms with his book The Formation of Vegetable Mould through the Action of Worms, with Observations on their Habits. The Ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle referred to earthworms as “the intestines of the earth”. Humans have been observing earthworms and their activities for a very long time. Scientists also use equipment to measure things like radiation or pH – phenomena not directly observable. These tools allow for more precise and accurate observations. Scientists observe in many ways – with their own senses or with tools such as microscopes, scanners or transmitters to extend their vision or hearing. Scientists use observation to collect and record data, which enables them to construct and then test hypotheses and theories. ![]()
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