An explicit definition of earthworm ecological categories – Marcel Bouché’s triangle revisited

Summary

This paper formalises the long-standing but qualitative earthworm ecological classification scheme proposed by Marcel Bouché, which groups earthworms into functional categories based on habitat and behaviour (surface-dwelling, soil-dwelling, and burrowing types). The authors appear to develop explicit, operational definitions of these categories to improve their utility in soil ecology research and farm management. Such clarification supports more consistent assessment of soil biological function in farming systems.

UK applicability

UK agricultural and soil research communities regularly employ Bouché's classification framework in field studies and soil quality assessments. Explicit definitions would enhance consistency and comparability across UK-based soil biology monitoring and regenerative agriculture research.

Key measures

Earthworm ecological traits and categorisation criteria

Outcomes reported

The paper revisits and provides an explicit, quantitative definition of Bouché's classical earthworm ecological categories (epigeic, endogeic, anecic), as suggested by the title's reference to the foundational triangle framework.

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