The following examples, taken from earthworm
research around Australia, illustrate the clear
need for a standardised sampling protocol which
would allow comparisons to be made between
research projects (Lobry de Bruyn and Mele,
1996). For instance, studies into earthworm life
cycles have no consistency in sampling number or
design, usually with no replication of conditions,
and varying in sampling intensity from monthly
to twice over an earthworm season (May--
November) or a year (Lobry de Bruyn and Mele,
1996). All these factors try to reduce soil heterogeneity,
instead of accommodating the known
variability of the soil environment. If there are
time and cost constraints, earthworm sampling
could be restricted to strategic points in the year,
and to facilitate comparisons over a number of
years it is important to sample at similar levels of
soil moisture and temperature rather than at the
same time each year. There needs to be a forum
where researchers can compare and contrast sampling
protocols and decide what is the optimal
strategy for examing soil macrofauna and their
role in soil health.