Earthworms play a key role in regulating soil ecosystem services by burrowing through the soil, altering
its structure, and making nutrients more available to plants. Conversely, earthworms are affected by soil
properties often causing them to be absent in soils where they could have the greatest beneficial effect on
soil structure and nutrient availability. The amendment of arable soils with organic matter (OM) is widely
used as a tool to improve soil properties. However, it remains unclear how different types of OM affect
earthworm burrowing activities and spatial burrowing patterns. We will present an experimental set-up for
studying how different types of organic matter alter bioturbation behaviours of earthworms and its
implications for soil property changes. Endogeic (burrower) earthworms will be introduced into soil columns
amended with different types of OM commonly applied to arable soils (straw, manure, compost, cover
crops). The combined effect of earthworms and OM additions on soil structure will then monitored over
time by using non-destructive imaging techniques. Effects on nutrient availability will be monitored by
destructive sampling at each timepoint. We expect that earthworm burrowing activity and its impact on
soil pore structure establishment will vary with OM type due to direct effects on earthworms and indirect
effects on soil properties. The results will support identifying targeted measures to accelerate earthworm
burrowing and its beneficial effects on soil restoration.