A review of earthworm impact on soil function and ecosystem services

TY - JOUR

T1 - A review of earthworm impact on soil function and ecosystem services

AU - Blouin, M

AU - Hodson, Mark Edward

AU - Delgado, E.A.

AU - Baker, G

AU - Brussard, L

AU - Butt, K.R.

AU - Dai, J

AU - Dendooven, L

AU - Peres, G

AU - Tondoh, J.E.

AU - Cluzeau, D

AU - Brun, J.-J.

N1 - This is the pre-peer reviewed version of the following article: Blouin, M. et al. 'A review of earthworm impact on soil function and ecosystem services'. European Journal of Soil Science, 64/2, which has been published in final form at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ejss.12025/abstract. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy.

PY - 2013/4

Y1 - 2013/4

N2 - 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.

AB - 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.

KW - earthworms

KW - Ecosystem services

KW - soil

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84875520285&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1111/ejss.12025

DO - 10.1111/ejss.12025

M3 - Article

SN - 1351-0754

VL - 64

SP - 161

EP - 182

JO - European journal of soil science

JF - European journal of soil science

IS - 2

ER -