Assessment of burrow re-use by Lumbricus terrestris L. Through field experimentation

Abstract

An 11 month field experiment was set out to investigate evidence of burrow re-use by Lumbricus terrestris. This was established in a temperate, broadleaved woodland and involved removal of adult L. terrestris from 12, 1 m² plots, with subsequent monitoring of re-colonisation. The spatial distribution and duration of L. terrestris middens was examined statistically. These observations suggest that L. terrestris burrows could be recycled or inherited. Such behaviour could be a means of minimising energy expenditure for burrow construction or due to a preference for a more favourable microenvironment in the drilosphere. Although evidence of burrow re-use is presented, the limitations of the experimental work are noted.