Assessing effects of earthworm cast on methanotrophic community in a soil biocover by concurrent use of microarray and quantitative real-time PCR

► Methanotrophic community in a lab-scale soil biocover was accurately qualified and quantified by concurrent use of microarray and quantitative real-time PCR. ► The addition of earthworm can dramatically increase the population density of methanotrophs as well as their diversity, resulting in a substantial shift in the community structure. ► The results confirmed the promising potential of EC as a bed material in biocovers for enhancing the performance of biocover.