A review of earthworm impact on soil function and ecosystem services |
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| Authors: | M. Blouin M. E. Hodson E. A. Delgado G. Baker L. Brussaard K. R. Butt J. Dai L. Dendooven G. Peres J. E. Tondoh D. Cluzeau J.‐J. Brun |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Université Paris Est, UMR Bioemco, 61 Avenue du Général De Gaulle, , 94010 Créteil Cedex, France;2. Environment Department, University of York, , Heslington, York,, YO10 5DD UK;3. Terranova Lombricultores, Loma Escondida # 5 Col. Seis de Enero‐Zoncuantla, , C.P. 91517 Veracruz, México;4. CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences, GPO Box 5. 1700, , Canberra, A.C.T., 2601 Australia;6. Department of Soil Quality, Wageningen University, PO Box 7. 47, , 6700 AA Wageningen, the Netherlands;8. School of Built and Natural Environment, University of Central Lancashire, , Preston, PR1 2HE UK;9. College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, , 510642 Guangzhou, China;10. Laboratory of Soil Ecology, Cinvestav, Av. Instituto Politécnico Nacional 2508, , C.P. 07360 México D. F., Mexico;11. Université Rennes 1, UMR CNRS EcoBio, Observatoire de Rennes, Station Biologique, , 35380 Paimpont, France;12. International Center for Tropical Agriculture, IER, CRRA Sotuba, Laboratoire Sol Eau Plante c/o ICRAF SAHEL, , BPE 5118 Bamako, Mali;13. IRSTEA, Unité de Recherche Ecosystèmes Montagnards, 2 Rue de la Papeterie, , 38402 Saint‐Martin‐d'Hères, France |
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| Abstract: | Biodiversity is responsible for the provision of many ecosystem services; human well‐being is based on these services, and consequently on biodiversity. In soil, earthworms represent the largest component of the animal biomass and are commonly termed ‘ecosystem engineers’. This review considers the contribution of earthworms to ecosystem services through pedogenesis, development of soil structure, water regulation, nutrient cycling, primary production, climate regulation, pollution remediation and cultural services. Although there has been much research into the role of earthworms in soil ecology, this review demonstrates substantial gaps in our knowledge related in particular to difficulties in identifying the effects of species, land use and climate. The review aims to assist people involved in all aspects of land management, including conservation, agriculture, mining or other industries, to obtain a broad knowledge of earthworms and ecosystem services. |
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