Biological neoformations are recent or relict accumulations in the soil mass, resulting in actions performed by the vegetal or animal organisms. They can be easily distinguished in the pedogenetic horizons of the profile, according to color, shape and chemical composition. The constitution of these neoformations is influenced by the physical and chemical properties of the soil, the use category of the land, the way the soil is exploited, the fertilization system of the plants, the phytosanitary treatments and the agricultural system as a whole. Biogenic neoformations in the soil appear as a result of the action of the animal organisms and plant roots. The biogenic neoformations of animal origin are: the mole channels, the coprolites, the earthworm channels, the larvae nests. The soil survey activity also involves the description of the soil cover plants and of the species of animal organisms (pedofauna) which determined the formation and evolution of the soil. The performed pedological studies frequently mention only the presence of some biogenic neoformations, without presenting the species of organisms which contributed to their formation. We consider that the identification of the species of organisms involved in the formation of the biological neoformations is of vital importance. Earthworm populations develop predominantly in most soils in the tropical and temperate areas. If we take into consideration the soil biomass, earthworms can be considered the prevailing group of invertebrates in most soils. Most earthworms, such as Lumbricus, Eisenia ,  Eiseniella, Allobophora, Octolasium etc., belong to the Lumbricidae family. The presence of these organisms can be an indicator of the health condition of the soils. Earthworms contribute to the formation of the soil structure, increase its water permeability, stimulate its microbiological activity, and increase the water retention capacity. This paper deals with some criteria for establishing the group of earthworms which determined the formation of the system of galleries also known as earthworm channels.

neoformations; earthworm channels; greenhouses soils

Presentation: oral