Berlese Funnel Test

An experiment was done to collect and count the macroinvertebrates in our soil sample. A 2 liter bottle was cut just above the label, inverted, a piece of wire (plastic) mesh was inserted at the base of the inside of the nozzle, and soil was added to just about 2 cm above the top of the inverted, cut, top of the bottle. ~20 mL of ethanol was added to the bottom of the base of the cut bottle, the top was inserted into the base, and the soil was set to let dry under a heat lamp for approximately one week. The bottle under the lamp, or the initial final product for beginning the experiment, looked as such:

A close up of the soil:

After about one week, the bottle was taken out from under the light and the organisms found in the soil were identified after being poured into a petri dish. This yeilded:

Also included in the following analysis were organisms picked out during previous experiments that we wanted to be sure were counted, as shown here:

In our sample, we found approximately two sowbugs (or woodlice), three earthworms (one small, two fairly large), five to ten mites, and two millipedes (one small and one fairly large). Sowbugs and earthworms are generally considered good for the soil, as they produce compost and overturn soil. Sowbugs can sometimes be negative if in masse as they can sometimes feed on cultivated plants, and can indicate dampness problems, but are generally considered good or harmless. Mites are often considered good as well as they break down decomposing matter or organisms, similar to worms but they act more as a catalyst, beginning the process. Millipedes are also good for the soil as they too break down plant matter and other organic material. These results are moderately consistent with other groups, at least those with more silty soil like ours. The presence of millipedes is different than many groups but the rest of the results are fairly consistent.

- Andrew