Earthworms as natural capital: ecosystem service providers in agricultural soils

Keith, Aidan M. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9619-1320; Robinson, David A. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7290-4867. 2012 Earthworms as natural capital: ecosystem service providers in agricultural soils. Economology Journal, 2. 91-99.

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Abstract/Summary

The activities of earthworms have wide-ranging impacts on soil-based processes in agricultural systems and play a key role in mediating soil Ecosystem Services. We discuss the effects of earthworms in the context of Natural Capital and Ecosystem Service frameworks and suggest that the broad functional groups of earthworms (Epigeic, Anecic and Endogeic) can be used as Ecosystem Service Provider units. Differences in the relative influence of these functional groups on key soil processes demonstrates their potential utility for monitoring and valuing soil Ecosystem Services under different land management options and highlights that management for particular functional groups could be used to promote specific Ecosystem Services.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Programmes:	CEH Topics & Objectives 2009 - 2012 > Biodiversity > BD Topic 3 - Managing Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in a Changing Environment > BD - 3.3 - Develop integrated environmental assessments and modelling ... CEH Topics & Objectives 2009 - 2012 > Biodiversity > BD Topic 3 - Managing Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in a Changing Environment > BD - 3.1 - Develop methods to quantify the link between biodiversity ..
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Emmett Parr
ISSN:	2039-7305
Additional Keywords:	agro-ecosystem, ecosystem engineer, functional group, Lumbricidae, sustainable agriculture
NORA Subject Terms:	Agriculture and Soil Science Ecology and Environment
Date made live:	08 Feb 2012 11:06 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/15994

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