Earthworm Ecology, Second Edition updates the most comprehensive work available on earthworm ecology with extensive revisions of the original chapters. New chapters analyze the history of earthworm research, the importance of earthworms as representatives of soil fauna and how they affect plant growth, the effects of the invasion of exotic earthworms into North America and other regions, and vermiculture and vermicomposting in Europe.This well-illustrated, expansive study examines the important and often overlooked impact earthworms have on the environment. It discusses the impact of climate, soil properties, predation, disease and parasitism, and competition upon earthworm ecology.
This book is a concise and well-illustrated treatment of the conventional knowledge and modern utilities of earthworms. The first two chapters deal with earthworm morphology, food relationship, behavior, functional role, interaction with soil biota, and the influence of environmental factors. Earthworms found in the tropics and sub-tropics are also discussed in this section. The third chapter provides a good account of utilizing species of worms to produce high value manure through vermitechnology and its application in agriculture. The nutritional and medicinal values of earthworms are illustrated in the fourth chapter, while the fifth c provides information on how earthworms are used successfully as indicators of ecological perturbations, soil quality and for remediation of contaminated soils. The book will immensely benefit students, faculty and researchers in biological, agricultural and environmental sciences. It is also a source of information for anyone interested in knowing more about earthworms.
Crawling through the dirt, worms are hard at work, helping plants to grow. Worms help the fruit and vegetables we eat by loosening the soil and feeding the plants. Read and find out about these wiggling wonders!