Includes papers on the influence of: earthworms on soil organic matter dynamics and microbial ecology; the use of earthworms in organic waste management; the importance of earthworms in the environment; the effects of earthworms on soils physical properties. The book presents an in-depth discussion of earthworm biogeography, diversity, taxonomy, and systematics; and it provides full coverage of earthworm feeding behaviour, food preferences, dietry requirements, and interactions between earthworms and microbial communities. Information on the impacts of climate, human activities, soil properties, predation, disease and parasitism, and competition upon earthworm ecology is included.