Bone, J., Archer, M., Barraclough, D., Eggleton, P., Flight, D., Head, M., Jones, D.T., Scheib, C.(2014) Prioritising Soil Quality Assessment Through the Screening of Sites: the Use of Publicly Collected Data.

Bone, J., Barraclough, D., Eggleton, P., Head, M., Jones, D.T.

Man-made materials were present in the topsoil in over a third of survey locations and these were predominantly composed of construction material.

The worm species reported at the greatest number of sites were the grey worm, redhead worm and lob worm.

However, urban gardens had more earthworms than other urban habitats.

Rural gardens had a greater number of earthworms and a greater number of species than urban gardens.

Gardens also had the highest average number of species.

Domestic gardens were hotspots for earthworms, with high numbers compared with other habitat types.In total over 5,510 responses were submitted online for the OPAL Soil and Earthworm Survey. Recording other organisms found in the soil sample.Searching for earthworms in other habitats.Recording the different species of earthworm.Investigating the properties of the soil sample (e.g.Digging a soil pit to take a soil sample.The OPAL Soil and Earthworm Survey was created to find out more about soil and earthworms and investigate the relationships between earthworm species and habitats and soil types. Of these animals, earthworms are one of the most important to soil structure and fertility. Soil properties are influenced by the bedrock beneath it, the local environment, the plants that grow on it, and the animals that move through it. Soil is made up of water, air, minerals and organic matter. Despite all these vital functions, much less is known about soil than air or water. It is vital for plant growth, providing food and materials for humans and animals it regulates water by filtering out pollutants and can reduce flood risks and it is home to a vast array of animals. Soil is one of the world’s most precious natural resources.

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