Climate Change and Earthworm Ecosystems

Earthworms play a crucial role in soil ecosystems by enhancing fertility, water retention, and nutrient cycling. Climate change, including temperature fluctuations and altered precipitation patterns, poses significant challenges to earthworm populations. This chapter explores how environmental changes impact earthworm behavior, reproduction, and distribution, emphasizing their role in soil health and ecosystem stability. Understanding these effects is essential for conserving earthworms and maintaining soil biodiversity in the face of climate change.