Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
15
Earthworms in
Agroecosystems: Research
Approaches
Paul F. Hendrix
Institute of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, U.S.A.
Clive A. Edwards
Soil Ecology Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, U.S.A.
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
The
impacts of earthworms on soil processes and soil fertility and their potential importance in
agriculture are topics that are currently of wide interest. There is vast literature, ranging from
scientific treatises to popular articles in magazines and newspapers, on these subjects, and it would
be futile to attempt to review all of these comprehensively. As an alternative to an extensive literature
review of the role of earthworms in agroecosystems, this chapter presents a broad overview of
current research, identifying trends and future directions for research.
The first edition of this topic was associated with the Fifth International Symposium on
Earthworm Ecology (ISEE5), which was held at The Ohio State University in Columbus, OH,
U.S.A. in 1994 (ISEE5) (Edwards 1997), and the chapter authors were either chairs or associate
chairs of the eight chosen research areas and authorities on their subjects. The earlier symposia on
earthworm ecology were at Grange-over-Sands, England, in 1981 (ISEE1) (Satchell 1983); Bolo-
gna, Italy, in 1985 (ISEE2) (Bonvicini et al. 1987); Hamburg, Germany, in 1987 (ISEE3); and
Avignon, France, in 1990 (ISEE4) (Kretzschmar 1992). These symposia were very well attended
by earthworm researchers and provided fertile ground for transmission of information and collab-
oration. Symposia subsequent to ISEE5 were held in Vigo, Spain, in 1998 (ISEE6) (Diaz Cosin et
al. 1999) and in Cardiff, Wales, in 2002 (ISEE7).
For information on earlier research publications, refer to
Bibliography Volume 2, Workshop on
the Role of Earthworms in the Stabilization of Organic Residues
(Worden 1981) and
A Bibliography
of Earthworm Research
(Satchell and Martin 1983). A number of comprehensive topics on earthworms
have been published. These include
Earthworms: Their Ecology and Relationship with Soils and
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