Recording scheme
One of the main priorities of the ESB is to host a recording scheme for British earthworms.
Why are we recording earthworms?
Records data is very useful for telling us what species of earthworms are found where. However, if they are collected in a more structured way this data can also be very useful for helping us to understand more about their ecology: why they are found in different places, what causes the differences in populations in different places and how they are changing.
All the data from the recording scheme will be held by the Biological Records Centre (www.brc.ac.uk) and the data will be made available through the National Biodiversity Network (www.nbn.org.uk).
You can help us!
Anyone can submit records of earthworms to the recording scheme by going out and looking for earthworms in your local area and telling us what you find. This will allow us to build up a picture of the distribution of earthworm species in the UK. We already have some data, but there are huge gaps in sampling across the country. The Earthworm Society of Britain runs courses on sampling and identifying earthworms which members can attend so you can learn how to go and sample earthworms.
Records form
If you have records data that you would like to contribute to the recording scheme, please fill out the online form - this online method is currently only available to ESB members.
Alternatively, you can email your records to recordingscheme@earthwormsoc.org.uk (we can only accept Excel spreadsheets or Recorder database formats). If you have data in other electronic formats or paper records, or you need advice on what details you should be recording then please do contact us using the recordings scheme email address.
Thank you! Your help is appreciated
