Naslov
Global distribution of earthworm diversity

Autori
Phillips R.P., Helen ; ... ; Kutuzović Hackenberger, Davorka ; ... ; Eisenhauer, Nico

Izvornik
Science (0036-8075) 366 (2019), 6464; 480-485

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
earthworm ; distribution ; diversity ; pattern

Sažetak
Soil organisms, including earthworms, are a key component of terrestrial ecosystems. However, little is known about their diversity, their distribution, and the threats affecting them. We compiled a global dataset of sampled earthworm communities from 6928 sites in 57 countries as a basis for predicting patterns in earthworm diversity, abundance, and biomass. We found that local species richness and abundance typically peaked at higher latitudes, displaying patterns opposite to those observed in aboveground organisms. However, high species dissimilarity across tropical locations may cause diversity across the entirety of the tropics to be higher than elsewhere. Climate variables were found to be more important in shaping earthworm communities than soil properties or habitat cover. These findings suggest that climate change may have serious implications for earthworm communities and for the functions they provide.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Biologija

POVEZANOST RADA