Six months of L. terrestris L. activity in root-formed biopores increases nutrient availability, microbial biomass and enzyme activity

Activities of enzymes involved in the C-cycle (xylanase, cellobiohydrolase, ß-glucosidase) and N-cycle (chitinase, chitotriosidase, leucine aminopeptidase) were also elevated in RBP as compared to the bulk soil (factor 1.1-3.6) and further increased in EBP (factor 1.2-3.7). All these effects were more pronounced in the 45-75 cm soil layer. We conclude that, in only six months, L. terrestris in arable fields modified ordinarily nutrient-rich biopores into 'super-hotspots' of microbial biomass, enzyme activity and nutrient availabilities. Hence, even short-term promotion of earthworm populations by agricultural management practices can increase microbial biomass and enzyme activity in biopores and its coupling to nutrient mobilization in the subsoil.