Global distribution of earthworm diversity

Soil organisms are crucial for ecosystem services that support human life. However, little is known about the distribution, diversity and threats facing them. Here, we compiled a global dataset of sampled earthworm communities from over 7000 sites in 56 countries to predict patterns in earthworm diversity, abundance, and biomass. Further, we identify the environmental drivers shaping these patterns. Local species richness and abundance typically peaked at higher latitudes, while biomass peaked in the tropics, patterns opposite to that observed in many aboveground taxa. But similar to many aboveground taxa, climate variables were more important in shaping earthworm communities than variables relating to soil or habitat cover. These findings highlight that, while the environmental drivers are similar, conservation strategies to conserve aboveground biodiversity might not be appropriate for earthworm diversity.