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Characterisation of the three-dimensional structure of earthworm burrow systems using image analysis and mathematical morphology

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Abstract

The aim of this work was to exemplify the specific contribution of both two- and three-dimensional (3D) X-ray computed tomography to characterise earthworm burrow systems. To achieve this purpose we used 3D mathematical morphology operators to characterise burrow systems resulting from the activity of an anecic ( Aporrectodea nocturna), and an endogeic species ( Allolobophora chlorotica), when both species were introduced either separately or together into artificial soil cores. Images of these soil cores were obtained using a medical X-ray tomography scanner. Three-dimensional reconstructions of burrow systems were obtained using a specifically developed segmentation algorithm. To study the differences between burrow systems, a set of classical tools of mathematical morphology (granulometries) were used. So-called granulometries based on different structuring elements clearly separated the different burrow systems. They enabled us to show that burrows made by the anecic species were fatter, longer, more vertical, more continuous but less sinuous than burrows of the endogeic species. The granulometry transform of the soil matrix showed that burrows made by A. nocturna were more evenly distributed than those of A. chlorotica. Although a good discrimination was possible when only one species was introduced into the soil cores, it was not possible to separate burrows of the two species from each other in cases where species were introduced into the same soil core. This limitation, partly due to the insufficient spatial resolution of the medical scanner, precluded the use of the morphological operators to study putative interactions between the two species

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire de Toxicologie Environnementale, UMR Écologie des Invertébrés, INRA/UAPV, Domaine Saint Paul, 84914, Avignon Cedex 09, France

    Yvan Capowiez

  2. CSIRO Land and Water, GPO Box 1666, ACT 2601, Canberra, Australia

    Alain Pierret & Christopher J. Moran

Authors
  1. Yvan Capowiez
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  2. Alain Pierret
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  3. Christopher J. Moran
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Correspondence to Yvan Capowiez.

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Capowiez, Y., Pierret, A. & Moran, C.J. Characterisation of the three-dimensional structure of earthworm burrow systems using image analysis and mathematical morphology. Biol Fertil Soils 38, 301–310 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00374-003-0647-9

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