Earthworms can survive in a wide range of conditions but activity depends on the quality of food available
About the Author:
MARK Bartlett is currently studying for a PhD in Soil Ecology at Cranfield Centre for Sports Surfaces, part of Cranfield University at Silsoe, under the supervision of Professors Karl Ritz, Jim Harris and Dr Iain James. Any enquires should be sent to
m.d.bartlett.s04@
cranfield.ac.uk or Cranfield University at Silsoe, Barton Road, Silsoe, Bedfordshire. MK45 4DT.
Cranfield Centre for Sports Surfaces is a centre for research and training expertise based at Cranfield University at Silsoe. It provides the MSc Sports Surface Technology degree, unique in Europe for the advanced education of industry
professionals. It is also a centre for excellence in both doctoral and commercial research, working with industry bodies and the UK government to advance knowledge, and to develop safe, sustainable sports surfaces in all environments. More details are at our website
www.silsoe.cranfield.ac.uk/ccss.
The National Soil Resources Institute was established in 2001 to create a unified institute with the necessary scientific expertise and research capability to focus on the long-term development of the sustainable management of soil and land resources, both in the UK and around the world. Further information about NSRI is available at:
www.silsoe.cranfield.ac.uk/nsri
A graph of annual earthworm activity on a golf green
Know your worms!
Earthworms are very adaptable creatures and can live in a range of soil environments. Biologists divide them into three groups
Epigeic earthworms: Most commonly found in woodland environments. Not important to sports turf.
Endogeic earthworms: These earthworms form burrows that are not open to the surface and do not cast at the surface. They normally live in the top 15 to 20cm of the soil.
Anecic earthworms: These earthworms are capable of burrowing deeply and normally have burrows that are open to the surface. They feed on leaf litter that they find at the surface and mix it within the soil horizons. This type of earthworm is responsible for the formation of surface casts that cause major problems for sports turf.
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