Story: Earthworms

Above- and below-ground biomass

In forests, the estimated live weight (biomass) of earthworms below ground is far greater than the weight of all the animals above ground. On farmland, however, the live weight of sheep and cattle tends to be similar to the below-ground worm biomass – although on highly productive farmland, the below-ground biomass can far outweigh that above ground.

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How to cite this page:

Gregor Yeates, 'Earthworms - Earthworms and soils', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/table/15504/above-and-below-ground-biomass (accessed 30 March 2024)

Story by Gregor Yeates, published 24 Nov 2008