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Department of Environment and Geography
HomeDepartment of Environment and GeographyResearchSecuring a biodiverse planetSink or swim – threats to earthworm diversity due to flooding

Sink or swim – threats to earthworm diversity due to flooding

Earthworms are vital for the health and functioning of most soils. However, flooded soils rapidly become oxygen deficient; unless earthworms move away they can drown. 

Flooding is becoming more frequent and extensive, including at sites which haven't experienced it previously, because of climate change.

In this Leverhulme Trust funded project we will explore:

  • soil water contents at which earthworms avoid soil
  • whether differences in haemoglobin allow some earthworms to survive in flooded soil whilst others drown
  • how long earthworm eggs remain viable in flooded soils 
  • how UK flood hazards may increase due to climate change

With this information we will determine threats to UK earthworm communities from climate change-related increased flooding.

Researchers

Professor Mark Hodson

Lead researcher

University of York

Research interests:

Mark is an earthworm ecologist who has been working with earthworms for over 20 years. In this project he will co-ordinate field work and laboratory experiments, working with both earthworms and their cocoons.

Dr Michael Berenbrink

University of Liverpool

Research interests:

Michael is an animal physiologist with expertise on animal respiratory systems adaptations to changing oxygen environments over short and evolutionary timescales. He will lead the work on earthworm haemoglobin.

Dr Megan Klaar

University of Leeds

Research interests:

Megan is a hydroecologist with expertise in flow forecasting and modelling and the practicalities of natural flood management. She will lead the work on predicting changes in the duration, extent and frequency of flooding due to climate change.

Dr Tom Willis

University of Leeds

Research interests:

Tom is an expert in hydrological and hydraulic modelling with particular skills in developing models for application in land use change. He will work on predicting changes in the duration, extent and frequency of flooding due to climate change.