On building a worm detector
The author discusses the lack of research into the movement and behavior of earthworms below the soil surface. It calls for the development of a 'worm detector' to map subterranean invertebrate activity to better understand soil health.
Why it matters
Understanding soil biodiversity is critical for agricultural sustainability and ecological health, yet it remains a significantly under-researched field.
The next frontier in worm research is to be able to visualise (map) the locations of worms, in-situ, and if possible, at the paddock scale.
We know so much more about the movements of ants, spiders, beetles, bees/pollinators and the above ground invertebrates. Yet so little about everything below ground. Frankly its a blight on us all we don't know more. Okay maybe that's a bit dramatic, but for a group of organisms that are so important to soil fertility and health, we know so little about their movements specifically.
Don't get me wrong, many studies have sampled worms out in the field. So we do know about their abundance and diversity in a broad range of ecosystems, especially within agricultural landscapes.
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