20 February 2007

A camel in the snow! What happens here?

A camel in the snow! What happens here?

The true story is: our earthworm field test team is working in the field during carnival for an earthworm extraction method comparison study. Suddenly a curious camel appeared at the field site. Two of our colleagues took their carnival procession costume and joined us in the field throwing sweets. 

Now to the earthworm extraction method comparison study:

Earthworm field tests are required as the last step in the TIER approach to assess the effects of pesticides on earthworms. Earthworm numbers between replicates of one sampling and from sampling to sampling during the season can vary considerably due to the earthworm distribution in the field. The known extraction methods have a different efficiency and collect a different spectrum of earthworms. Depending on the test design, the extraction method influences the conclusions that can be drawn from the datasets obtained. 
In order to get more information on the quality, efficiency and accuracy of different earthworm extraction methods in different seasons of the year, three sampling methods (formalin extraction, hand-sorting, combined hand-sorting with formalin extraction and time limited "sheet-hand-sorting") have been compared in three different soil types throughout the season. Furthermore, two differently sized sampling areas (50 cm x 50 cm and 25 cm x 25 cm) were evaluated.
The first dataset of this method comparison showed the high efficiency of the combined hand-sorting with formalin extraction on sample areas of 25x25 cm.

For detailed information please contact: Olaf Klein (olaf.klein@eurofins-gab.com).

More pictures:

Archive:

 Wintertime not for our bees!

 Cherries at Winter!

 Slugs are coming!

 Honey bee in-vitro larvae test