by Matteo Cavallito<\/p>\n
Earthworms play an essential role in keeping soil healthy by eating and recycling organic matter<\/strong>. But their future is under threat due to the increasing intensity, frequency and extent of flooding. Therefore, British researchers now argue, it is essential to analyse these phenomena and their impact on invertebrates in the context of climate change.<\/p>\n Embarking on the mission is a group of scholars led by Professor Mark Hodson<\/strong>, a researcher at the University of York, as part of a project announced<\/a> on the eve of the recent World Earthworm Day<\/a>. The two-year analysis will engage the authors in field sampling, laboratory experiments<\/strong> and modelling. In addition to examining the effect of extreme weather phenomena, the research will also look at how changes in the habitats of these specimens are affecting the soil.<\/p>\n