1

DO ARMADILLIDIUM VULGARE BREAK DOWN SOILS AND

ALTER PH TO MAKE A DESIRABLE LIVING CONDITION?

Do Armadillidium vulgare Break Down Soils and Alter pH to Make a Desirable Living Condition?

Taryn Claassens

Harrison High School

December 2021
 2
DO ARMADILLIDIUM VULGARE BREAK DOWN SOILS AND
ALTER PH TO MAKE A DESIRABLE LIVING CONDITION?

Abstract

The ability to alter the soil conditions is key to the survival of opportunistic top-down

decomposers and the changes to soil diversity our planet will face with global warming.

Armadillidium vulgare has shown great promise and resilience in both adaptive feeding and their

ability to help the biodiversity of the soil in which they live. Global warming indications show

soils will be less biodiverse unless the decomposers in the soils can adapt and help reverse this

process. Since a warmer climate can mean increases in fungi and bacteria growth on the surface,

top-down decomposers that are opportunistic in eating habits play a crucial role. This study

focused on Armadillidium vulgare's ability to break down soils and alter the pH of the soil

environment they inhabit with simple parameters (food, moisture, and natural soils at a set pH).

The results of this study had mixed results. The isopods in heavy acidic to neutral conditions

showed high activity rates and heavy food consumption and could alter the soil conditions. Stress

and low activity rates contributed to no change in the pH and soil conditions as exhibited in high

alkaline conditions. This study proves that stress conditions and activity levels must be optimal

for Armadillidium vulgare to adapt and make changes to the soil. These results demonstrate that

isopods may need a more gradual transition to exhibit less stress and to give them time to adjust.
 3
DO ARMADILLIDIUM VULGARE BREAK DOWN SOILS AND
ALTER PH TO MAKE A DESIRABLE LIVING CONDITION?

Do Armadillidium vulgare Break Down Soils and Alter pH to Make a Desirable Living Condition?

Understanding the impacts of global warming and the effects of runoff chemicals and

fertilizers in soil on our current ecosystem is an essential part of understanding future

biodiversity on our planet. Decomposers in the soil have long been associated with stabilizing

the soil and assisting in releasing nitrogen back into the atmosphere (D, Elizabeth, 2020).

Armadillidium vulgare, a top-down decomposer, feeds on leaves, fungi, and other organic matter

on the surface of the soil floor. Many studies on Territorial Isopods have focused on short-term

behaviors, stressors, disease, eating, digestion, and their ability to conserve moisture. There have

been few studies on Isopods and their ability to help regulate the soil where they are found.

Crowther et al. (2015) studied the effects of Armadillidium vulgare in an opportunist role when

fungi become the dominant food source and how this helps regulate biomass on the forest floor,

thereby having a positive effect on the nutrient cycles. This study aims to find out if

Armadillidium vulgare can change the pH of the soil they live in with the same organic matter

across different soil types. As decomposers, Armadillidium vulgare will attempt to alter the soil

that is the most hostile to their natural soil state provided there is organic matter in the soil to

assist in this decomposition. Armadillidium vulgare can alter the soil pH to the ideal living

conditions for their species to survive in the longer term.

Since stress plays a significant factor in the behavior of Armadillidium vulgare and their

activity levels, this experiment will not focus on what is tolerable vs. intolerable for

Armadillidium vulgare in their environment. This experiment makes every effort to remove

additional stress to the subjects as much as possible and focus only on different soil pH and the
 4
DO ARMADILLIDIUM VULGARE BREAK DOWN SOILS AND
ALTER PH TO MAKE A DESIRABLE LIVING CONDITION?

isopods' ability to adjust and potentially alter the pH in their habitat. The food sources, moisture

levels, temperature, and exposure to light will remain the same in all habitats and will be

consistent with terrestrial isopod's preferences.

Literature Review

Global warming and its effect on soil and biodiversity have been widely associated with

expected changes in microbial diversity in soils leading to limits in plant growth through carbon

loss and microbial decomposition (Crowther et al. 2015). As the temperatures rise, fungi and

bacteria levels rise and accelerate decomposition, leading to nitrogen and soil imbalance rises

(Cavicchioli, Ricardo, et al., 2019). This change in soil, in turn, cycles into enhancing global

warming (Cavicchioli, Ricardo, et al., 2019). The process is most widely studied in forest

environments. According to Crowther et al. (2015), top-down decomposers such

as Armadillidium vulgare stabilize the soil when fungi activities increase through grazing

activities. It should be noted that Crowther suggests that Armadillidium vulgare feeds on the

fungi when it becomes the dominant biomass on the soil surface, which in turn slows down the

decomposition rate on the forest floor and restores the microbial process and nutrient cycles

(2015). The studies above show that Armadillidium vulgare uses this opportunist behavior to

survive as a food source. If conditions are consistent with this environment over time, the

species can adapt and positively impact the soil.

The behavior of Armadillidium vulgare must be taken into consideration; stress levels,

and ultimately the survival of the isopods depends on adequate moisture in the environment in
 5
DO ARMADILLIDIUM VULGARE BREAK DOWN SOILS AND
ALTER PH TO MAKE A DESIRABLE LIVING CONDITION?

which they are found. Smigel & Gibbs found that the isopods use conglobation behavior to

conserve water; therefore, moisture is a key to survival (2008). The isopods use conglobation

more often in stressful environments, which must be considered when testing soil conditions. In

previous work, we noted that if stress and temperature levels were too high, the isopods do not

survive due to a combination of sudden change and perhaps unexpected moisture level changes.

Conversely, Harding & Hickey note that Armadillidium vulgare shows the most stress and higher

mortality rates in environments with “pyrethrin (an insecticide), nitrogen-rich environments

created by fertilizers, and flooding of soil” (2016). The finding by Harding & Hickey does not

give a breakdown of the contents of the nitrogen-based fertilizer used in the study and its

concentration rate in the soil. It contrasts with the findings by Crowther et al., who suggest

"isopods affected fungal biomass or functioning only in the plots with added nitrogen (nitrogen

addition and warming+nitrogen addition plots)" (2015). Nitrogen and warming contribute to

fungi, bacterial growth, and increased decomposition rates in soil (Crowther et al., 2015). Given

what we have learned about isopods and their opportunistic eating habits, we know that they can

tolerate certain amounts of change in the environment and even chemicals and metals if the

environment does not have a high level of toxicity and the change is gradual. There is a lot more

research needed on Terrestrial Isopods and which chemicals in fertilizers cause mortality.

Studies suggest that during normal conditions, isopod feeding and leaf litter breakdown

"increases microbial activity and decomposition rates" (Crowther et al., 2015). In a warming-

nitrogen-rich environment, an isopod "direct grazing of fungal cords generally limits enzyme

activity and decomposition in forest soil" (Crowther et al., 2015). According to Crowther, this
 6
DO ARMADILLIDIUM VULGARE BREAK DOWN SOILS AND
ALTER PH TO MAKE A DESIRABLE LIVING CONDITION?

grazing activity in either scenario keeps the soil diverse, healthy and limits excessive growth of

fungi and increases in carbon cycles (2015). The Crowther et al. study suggests that this

opportunistic feeding can help alter the soil conditions and balance nitrogen-rich environments

brought on by global warming. This alteration of the soil by top-down decomposers can mean

they play a more significant role in soil biodiversity than otherwise thought.

Method

The method for experimentation will involve a mix of qualitative and quantitative data.

Ethology of Armadillidium vulgare plays a considerable emphasis in observing and reporting,

resulting in a significant focus on qualitative research. Data that record food consumption and

daily pH changes have a quantitative data method.

Study of Armadillidium vulgare and environmental conditions

A collection of 83 Armadillidium vulgare species were ordered from Carolina Labs.

Equal division of isopod specimens was attempted in each of the three habitats. Small insect

habitat enclosures were provided with potting soil. The soils for each habitat were based on

supporting the initial pH range the habitat will test. For example, the lower pH habitat required

potting soil with higher acidification.

In contrast, the higher pH habitat required potting soil with a more alkaline environment.

Organic soil was used for alkaline conditions, and a small amount of baking soda was added to
 7
DO ARMADILLIDIUM VULGARE BREAK DOWN SOILS AND
ALTER PH TO MAKE A DESIRABLE LIVING CONDITION?

the alkaline environment to achieve the 9.0 range. Sphagnum peat moss was used as a basis for

lower acidic soil.

Habitat A was the control environment with potting soil that has been used in planters

collected from the garden. The pH of this soil was intended to be between 5-6, depending on the

initial soil pH. This collection represents soil that the pill bugs live in locally. There were no

additives placed in this soil. Carrots were used to represent a food source and organic matter. As

planned in all controls and habitats, a dried leaf was added to provide additional shelter and

mimic normal conditions.

Habitat B had a highly acidic soil environment. The pH will be around 3-4. Sphagnum

peat moss will be added to soils to create the initial 4.0 pH. It was discussed that if needed,

lemon juice or vinegar would be added to lower the pH. There is a caveat in adding lemon juice

or vinegar to an environment with isopods, given their proven aversion to highly acidic smells.

The experiment seeks to test how the isopods change the soils, and adding sour odors can risk

creating a more stressful environment leading to inactivity. Therefore, the acidic additives would

only be added if the pH could not be lowered enough. In the end, the peat moss created a 4.0 pH,

and no additives were needed. Carrots were used to represent a food source and organic

matter. A leaf was added to make all habitats equal.

Habitat C was intended as a high pH Alkaline environment. The goal was to start the

soils at a pH of 9.0. This pH is considered a maximum level isopod that can tolerate. Baking
 8
DO ARMADILLIDIUM VULGARE BREAK DOWN SOILS AND
ALTER PH TO MAKE A DESIRABLE LIVING CONDITION?

Soda was added to achieve the desired pH in a small quantity of one teaspoon mixed with water

and added with a dropper. A leaf was also added. The base potting soil was organic soil with a

neutral pH. Carrots were used to represent a food source and organic matter. Each habitat had

controls that match the soil pH, moisture levels and will contain carrots without Armadillidium

vulgare specimens. They were measured daily with each habitat.

In this experiment, a dried leaf was added in each habitat and each control to provide

shelter and mimic a preferred environment. As with the previous experiment, distilled water was

sprayed daily in a mist to keep moisture levels livable for the Armadillidium vulgare in each

habitat. The pH was taken daily; the food source was measured daily using a micro-scale. All

controls of the habitats mimicked the environments minus the subjects.

Behavioral Observations – Qualitative data

The observation of the behavior of the Armadillidium vulgare was measured through

observation three times a day in 10–15-minute intervals. Isopods are most active at night, making

observations in the morning, late afternoon, and night important. The collection type of this

portion of the data will be qualitative. Excel spreadsheets were printed, and data collection

involved counting behaviors observed (for example, conglomeration) and checking activity

levels. A comment section was created for additional observations.

 9
DO ARMADILLIDIUM VULGARE BREAK DOWN SOILS AND
ALTER PH TO MAKE A DESIRABLE LIVING CONDITION?

Measurable outcomes – Quantitative methods

The pH and food measurements were taken daily and had a more quantitative nature of

data collection. The findings for food were measured by taking the "weight of the carrots in each

habitat" – "weight of carrots in each habitat control" = final measure. Decomposition of the

carrots was expected in each habitat. The controls assisted in measuring the difference. The data

was written into spreadsheet forms that were printed for observation. The pH was measured with

soil pH strips daily in the afternoon.

The entire observation and measurement portion of the experiment was five weeks. Data

was entered into the spreadsheets digitally at the end of the observation for charts and other

visual data results.

Data Analysis

Habitat A
Habitat A, the experiment's control, yielded expected results in activity levels, food

consumption, and behaviors. There was a low mortality rate of four deaths over five weeks, and

the subjects were most active at night, and less active during the day. The Armadillidium

vulgates' food consumption totals were consistent with their observed activity levels. They were

observed active in the afternoon around 5 pm and the evening after 9 pm, and their activity levels

were noted as semi-active to active most often at this time. The starting pH in both the control

and habitat was 6.0. Fluctuations in pH were noted in both control and habitat. The control

stayed within a -0.50 or +0.50 change for the most part throughout the experiment. This

fluctuation was expected due to the consistent elements in both the control and the habitat. The
 10
DO ARMADILLIDIUM VULGARE BREAK DOWN SOILS AND
ALTER PH TO MAKE A DESIRABLE LIVING CONDITION?

pH in the habitat did go through some significant changes, with an increase of +1.5 to +1.0

starting on the seventh day. The difference in pH was interesting because it was expected to go

down in pH rather than up in pH. The difference in pH held until the middle of the third week

when the change dropped to 0.50 + or - when overall activity levels decreased in the habitat.

During this time, the subjects were observed as burrowing, and there was a slight increase in

mortality.
pH Range

Number of days pH taken

Graph compiled by T. Claassens

Habitat B

The highly acidic habitat B yielded a surprising result overall. In last year's experiment,

the more acidic habitat subjects exhibited more stress than the control. Although factors that may

have contributed to some of this stress (lemon juice and exposure to indirect sunlight during the

day) were removed in this experiment, it was still surprising that the results yielded more activity

overall than the control A environment. Although habitat A had what seemed like more periods

of activity observed, the term is subjective and actual counts of climbing and clustering activity
 11
DO ARMADILLIDIUM VULGARE BREAK DOWN SOILS AND
ALTER PH TO MAKE A DESIRABLE LIVING CONDITION?

show significantly higher levels of activity. Additionally, the subjects in this habitat had less

burrowing than other habitats until the last week. Food consumption was the highest in habitat B.

It was also noted that the mortality in the habitat was twelve deaths recorded over three weeks.

The observed activity in the habitat dropped off in the last two weeks, but the food source did

show it was actively being eaten. There were holes in the carrot centers on both sides. Given the

overall amount of activity in this habitat, it was also noticed that the pH went through the most

change and maintained itself at higher pH in the habitat. The starting pH in both the habitat and

control was 4.0. The control was expected to fluctuate 0.5 + or – as expected in all controls due

to the same environment except the subjects. The difference between the habitat and control

most often was +1.5. Although the habitat went through its fluctuations primarily during week 2,

it most often was raised to 5 - 5.5 pH and stayed constant at that pH while the control stayed

between 3.5-4.0 pH. This difference is noticeable on the charts.

pH Range

Number of days pH taken

Graph compiled by T. Claassens

 12
DO ARMADILLIDIUM VULGARE BREAK DOWN SOILS AND
ALTER PH TO MAKE A DESIRABLE LIVING CONDITION?

Habitat C

Habitat C was most certainly the least active environment, and the most stressed based on

the mortality of 19 subjects with the highest amount in the last week of observation. It was

expected to be a stressful environment based on the pH of the soil alone. Last year's experiment

also observed a stressful habitat at this pH. However, other factors (indirect sunlight during the

day and temperature variations that resulted from that) contributed to the death of the entire

population. In this environment, as with the others, all other preferred environmental factors for

Armadillidium vulgates were left in place (dark environment with a constant preferred

temperature). The activity levels were very low in comparison to the other habitats. The pH

started at 9.0 for both control and habitat. No change was noted in either the control or the

habitat, except for a -0.5 fluctuation during week 2. There was a slight increase in activity during

that time in the evenings. Overall, this group of Armadillidium vulgates had high levels of

burrowing and clustering, yet they were observed as inactive the majority of the time they were

counted. Given the level of inactivity, food was consumed at a much lower rate, and the pH did

not change overall. Although the subjects survived this environment overall, the mortality

increased rapidly over the last three weeks, with the most observed deaths in the last week.
 13
DO ARMADILLIDIUM VULGARE BREAK DOWN SOILS AND
ALTER PH TO MAKE A DESIRABLE LIVING CONDITION?

pH Taken

Number of days pH taken

Graph compiled by T. Claassens

Additional graphs and results

Total Counts of Observed Activity, Behavior and Food Consumption

Activity Observed behavior
Habitat Time of day inactive semi Active Roll up climbing on back clustering color change burrowing death Food
A - Control AM 24 10 1 61 87 39 697 1
A- Control Afternoon 13 21 1 50 112 39 703 -41.619
A PM 7 0 17 63 105 30 702 3
B - Acidic AM 18 13 4 86 111 1 66 552 4
B- Acidic Afternoon 20 11 4 65 102 56 596 3 -46.231
B PM 13 11 13 60 147 60 1 546 4
C - Alkaline AM 32 3 0 49 37 27 1 659 6
C - Alkaline Afternoon 33 2 0 49 42 1 17 658 7 -28.765
C - Alkaline PM 25 7 2 54 55 51 598 6
Graph compiled by T. Claassens
Total number of observed activity levels

Total number of observed behaviors

Times of day observed Graph compiled by T. Claassens Times of day observed Graph compiled by T. Claassens
 14
DO ARMADILLIDIUM VULGARE BREAK DOWN SOILS AND
ALTER PH TO MAKE A DESIRABLE LIVING CONDITION?

pH s of
Total fluctuation
Total days
pH taken

Graph compiled by T. Claassens

Graph compiled by T. Claassens

Discussion

The purpose of this experiment was to explore different soil conditions to see if

Armadillidium Vulgate could change the soil overtime to meet their more ideal living condition.

This change would benefit area vegetation as well. The results from all habitats prove that

Armadillidium Vulgate can alter the pH of the soil if they are not stressed and maintain active to

semi-active rates of activity. The most significant change in pH was in habitat B. This habitat

had a high acidic environment with a pH of 4. The subjects were very active in the environment

above the surface, and the food consumption indicated they were all actively eating and

processing organic material. The surprise change in the habitat resulted in the Armadillidium

vulgate raising the pH in this habitat to their most preferred pH of between 5-6.0 pH. Although

the difference in pH was the purpose behind the experiment, changes were expected to reduce

pH due to urination, breaking down organic matter, and feeding. It was a promising and exciting

result to see the pH in B go up to the ideal living condition in the soil.

 15
DO ARMADILLIDIUM VULGARE BREAK DOWN SOILS AND
ALTER PH TO MAKE A DESIRABLE LIVING CONDITION?

The soil used in Habitat B was Sphagnum Peat Moss. This soil holds moisture well and

contains low levels of micronutrients such as calcium. It does not include the full spectrum of

nutrients required for optimal living. It is theorized based on the results that the isopods had to

work hard to change the environment. The death rate is considerably higher than the control A

habitat, and it is assumed that the nutrient environment was not suitable over a more extended

period. Armadillidium Vulgates are terrestrial crustaceans and need calcium to maintain their

more rigid shell (Tompson, Jeffrey D., et al., 2013). Terrestrial isopods frequently molt and are

vulnerable when this shell cannot correctly form after shedding. An acidic environment below

5.0 pH lacks sufficient calcium, and an environment at 9.0 or higher will result in too much

bacteria growth for optimal health (Sonon, Leticia S, et al., 2006). Habitat C, with a pH of 9.0,

had a lot of black mold growth on the carrots within a day or two of placement in both control

and habitat. Habitat C had complete decomposition and rot on each carrot placed. This rot

required three changes of carrots across all habitats to keep the observations equal due to the

rapid mold growth and decomposition in Habitat C.

Habitat C was also a stressful environment, and due to low activity rates and higher

burrowing and conglomeration, the pH was simply unable to change. It was also the environment

with the highest death rate, and it is clear that soil pH most definitely affected survivability. The

soil in C had no added chemicals; the soil was a mix of organic soil and potting soil used for

succulents. The only additive was baking soda to help raise the pH. The soil had a lot of small

rocks and most certainly was high in calcium. Successful molting was observed. The habitat was

sprayed with distilled water and treated in the same manner as the other habitats in terms of
 16
DO ARMADILLIDIUM VULGARE BREAK DOWN SOILS AND
ALTER PH TO MAKE A DESIRABLE LIVING CONDITION?

conditions. It is clear that the environment was not sustainable long term or even short term. It

was a disappointing observation to see the pH unchanged, but it made sense upon reflection.

Armadillidium vulgate can change its soil environment if it is not too stressed, and it is healthy

enough soil for the subjects to be active.

The observation in Habitats C and B also has implications for scenarios concerned with

climate and soil changes due to pollution, warming, runoff from farming and factories, and acid

rain. Heavy alkalinity in soils is just one potential result of global warming. Other conditions

such as high acidity with fewer soil nutrients is another scenario. Although the isopods could

change their environments to a more desirable pH when they did not shut down due to stress,

long-term survivability will be affected if they cannot balance the nutrient levels, and pH is one

of the factors for stress. If the isopods find an environment stressful and revert to inactivity and

conglomeration to cope; in that case, this experiment indicates they will not change the soil

conditions and will eventually die off unless they have the mobility to find better locations. The

conclusions are based on specific conditions within the habitat and a non-lab environment and

non-sophisticated equipment for testing. It is suggested that further research is needed to assess

changes in pH in soils to rule out underlying factors unable to be tested at this point in the

experiment. For example, although the subjects in Habitat B managed to alter the pH between

5.0-5.5, we do not know if the soil had enough nutrient balance (for example, calcium) for long-

term survivability.
 17
DO ARMADILLIDIUM VULGARE BREAK DOWN SOILS AND
ALTER PH TO MAKE A DESIRABLE LIVING CONDITION?

Additionally, not all deaths of the subjects can be entirely attributed to soil conditions.

Age, health, underlying health, and deeper soil chemistry analysis would need to be considered

in future research. Regardless, most of the deaths, and how they occurred over time, along with

the subjects' behavior, can safely conclude that the environments had an impact throughout the

experiment both on the activity levels and the ability of the subjects to make changes to the

environment. These results prove that isopods may need a more gradual transition to exhibit less

stress and to give them time to adapt. With further research, it may be possible to explore that

scenario.
 18
DO ARMADILLIDIUM VULGARE BREAK DOWN SOILS AND
ALTER PH TO MAKE A DESIRABLE LIVING CONDITION?

References

Cavicchioli, Ricardo, et al. "Scientists' Warning to Humanity: Microorganisms and Climate

Change." Nature News, Nature Publishing Group, 18 June 2019,

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41579-019-0222-5.

Crowther, Thomas W, et al. "Biotic interactions mediate soil microbial feedbacks to climate

change." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of

America vol. 112,22 (2015): 7033-8. doi:10.1073/pnas.1502956112.

D, Elizabeth. "What Is the Role of the Decomposers in the Nitrogen Cycle? "Composting Hub -

Breaking down the Science of Composting." Composting Hub - Breaking down the

Science of Composting, 8 Oct. 2020, https://compostinghub.com/what-is-the-role-of-the-

decomposers-in-the-nitrogen-cycle/.

Harding, L., & Hickey, T. (2016). Are Pill Bugs Being Stressed by Environmental Changes?

Retrieved December 02, 2020, from

http://theclassicjournal.uga.edu/index.php/2016/03/23/are-pill-bugs-being-stressed-by-

environmental-changes/.

Pareek, Navneet. "Climate Change Impact on Soils: Adaptation and Mitigation." MOJ Ecology

& Environmental Sciences, MedCrave Publishing, 12 June 2017,

https://medcraveonline.com/MOJES/climate-change-impact-on-soils-adaptation-and-

mitigation.html.
 19
DO ARMADILLIDIUM VULGARE BREAK DOWN SOILS AND
ALTER PH TO MAKE A DESIRABLE LIVING CONDITION?

Smigel JT, Gibbs AG. 2008. Conglobation in the pill bug, Armadillidium vulgare, as a water

conservation mechanism. 9pp. Journal of Insect Science 8:44, available online:

insectscience.org/8.44.

Sonon, Leticia S, et al. "Determining Lime Requirement Using the Equilibrium Lime Buffer

Capacity." University of Georgia Extension, 1 June 2006,

https://extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.html?number=B1256&title=Essential+pH+M

anagement+in+Greenhouse+Crops%3A+pH+and+Plant+Nutrition.

Tompson, Jeffrey D., et al. "Soil Liming Mitigates the Negative Effect of Simulated Acid Rain

on the Isopod, Porcellio Scaber." Journal of Crustacean Biology, vol. 33, no. 3, 2013, pp.

440–443., https://doi.org/10.1163/1937240x-00002136.

Zimmer, M. "Nutrition in Terrestrial Isopods (Isopoda: Oniscidea): An Evolutionary-Ecological

Approach." Biological Reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, U.S. National

Library of Medicine, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12475050/.