Earthworms: the engineers of soils - soilassociation.org

Earthworms: the engineers of soils

Dan Carpenter
Soil Biodiversity Group, Life Sciences Department

Earthworms are important

• This man thought so!

“…it may be doubted if there are any other
animals which have played such an
important part in the history of the world
as these lowly organised creatures.”

Charles Darwin

Earthworms are important

• Value of earthworm produced topsoil is £16 billion per year globally (Source: Buglife)

Earthworms are important

Earthworm distribution

All species

• Carpenter et al. 2012. Mapping of earthworm distribution for the British Isles and Eire highlights the under-

recording of an ecologically important group. Biodiversity and Conservation 21, 475-485

Earthworm ecology Epigeic
Endogeic
Anecic

What do earthworms do?

What do earthworms do?

What do earthworms do?

What do earthworms do?

Factors affecting earthworms - disturbance

Factors affecting earthworms - compaction

loose soil compact soil

Factors affecting earthworms – organic matter content

Strategies for managing soils for earthworms

• Minimise disturbance – minimum till, no dig, direct drilling
• Improve organic matter content – add manure, compost.
• Provide a refuge for earthworms – field margins, beetle banks
• Sensitive management of non-crop areas – woodlands, hedgerows

Earthworm distribution

All species

• Carpenter et al. 2012. Mapping of earthworm distribution for the British Isles and Eire highlights the under-

recording of an ecologically important group. Biodiversity and Conservation 21, 475-485

How can you get involved?

• Come to the earthworm ID workshop and learn how to identify earthworms – 1730 - 1900
• Join the Earthworm Society of Britain: www.earthwormsoc.org.uk
• Record earthworms from your land and submit the records to the ESB

Questions

Questions

Questions

Questions

Questions

Questions