Before starting the course I didnt know a great deal about earthworm. From doing a zoology degree many years ago I could classify them and remembered some details about their anatomy and physiology. However I knew little about their ecology. I needed to learn more for my job as a Farm Advisor, part of the job which invloves soil sampling and counting worms in soil spits.
I learnt about the different ecological groups of earthworms, how many species there were in the UK, how many you’d expect to find in an acre of land, how dominant they were in the biomss, how to sample, whether they can survive in waterlogged soils, how far they can move, the important part they play in ecosystem services and so on. I learnt a great deal in fact!
I enjoyed the whole course but particularly the sections on earthworm behaviour and ecology. The course would benefit gardeners, farmers and in fact anyone. We all need to learn more about these overlooked invertebrates which play such a huge role in our terrestrial ecosystems. Without them in our soils, we are doomed.
I would highly recommend this course to farm advisors like myself, to farmers, growers and anyone interested in ecology and in our environment. The course was very well taught and the tutors dynamic, entertaining and extremely well informed.
Fiona Gomersall, Farm Advisor, Severn Rivers Trust
