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Mapping of earthworm distribution for the British Isles and Eire highlights the under-recording of an ecologically important group

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An Erratum to this article was published on 03 June 2012

Abstract

Earthworms are important soil organisms yet we have limited knowledge on the geographical distribution of species. Using data from a variety of sources representing a total of 3,941 locality records we have produced the first distribution maps of earthworm species in the British Isles The maps highlight the paucity of knowledge on this ecologically important group. A systematic approach needs to be taken to bring earthworm species data to a level comparable with other important invertebrate groups such as nematodes and isopods. Through the recent establishment of an earthworm recording scheme, the Earthworm Society of Britain, working with the Biological Records Centre and earthworm researchers across the British Isles, aim to build comprehensive distribution information for future monitoring and research purposes.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Madeleine Malgram, Edison Hynch, and Louise Berridge for help with collections data compilation. Thanks also to Edward Mills for his help with GIS mapping.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Soil Biodiversity Group, Department of Entomology, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD, UK

    Daniel Carpenter, David T. Jones & Paul Eggleton

  2. Department of Zoology, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD, UK

    Emma Sherlock, Jim Chiminoides & Thomas Writer

  3. The James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee, DD2 5DA, UK

    Roy Neilson & Brian Boag

  4. Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Lancaster Environment Centre, Library Avenue, Bailrigg, Lancaster, LA1 4AP, UK

    Aidan M. Keith

  5. School of Biology & Environmental Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland

    Aidan M. Keith

Authors
  1. Daniel Carpenter
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  2. Emma Sherlock
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  3. David T. Jones
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  4. Jim Chiminoides
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  5. Thomas Writer
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  6. Roy Neilson
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  7. Brian Boag
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  8. Aidan M. Keith
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  9. Paul Eggleton
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Daniel Carpenter.

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Carpenter, D., Sherlock, E., Jones, D.T. et al. Mapping of earthworm distribution for the British Isles and Eire highlights the under-recording of an ecologically important group. Biodivers Conserv 21, 475–485 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-011-0194-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-011-0194-x

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