Earthworms and Their Role in Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Abstract

The mass of all earthworms living on our planet is greater than the mass of any other terrestrial animal species. There are over 7,000 species of earthworms, and they are involved in many processes that keep soils healthy and help plants to grow, which makes them extremely important organisms to study. The activity of earthworms also stimulates the growth of bacteria, both in the soil and in their guts. Some studies have suggested that these bacteria might increase greenhouse gas emissions, particularly the gases carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide that contribute to global warming. So, are earthworms good or bad for the environment, overall? This article will describe the experiments that can be used to study the links between earthworms and greenhouse gas production, as well as the limitations of these experiments. The effects of earthworms on soil processes are very complex and therefore scientifically challenging, important, and exciting.