This proposal request funding for a workshop to evaluate the state of our understanding of earthworm ecology in North America. The earthworm fauna and their role in ecosystem function in the western hemisphere are poorly known compared with other regions of Earth, especially Europe and Oceania. Although it is widely recognized that earthworms can exert significant influence on physical, chemical and biological processes in soils, it is not clear how generally results from other biogeographic regions apply to ecological conditions and earthworm assemblages (particularly native earthworm fauna) prevalent in North America. The focus of this workshop will be on the influence of earthworms on soil processes in forest, rangeland and crop ecosystems over the range of climatic and soil conditions that occur in North America, including Canada and Alaska, the continental U.S., Mexico, and the Caribbean islands. Investigators from each region will be invited to participate (total of ca. 30 people). Objectives are to evaluate our current understanding and to chart future research needs in four topic areas: 1) systematics and biodiversity; 2) biogeography 3) ecosystem processes; and 4) management implications. The final product of the workshop will be a peer- reviewed volume containing final position papers in each topic area and short contributions based on poster presentations. This volume will be a state-of-the-art resource for research, teaching and application.
