Earthworm Ecology, Second Edition updates the most comprehensive work available on earthworm ecology with extensive revisions of the original chapters. New chapters analyze the history of earthworm research, the importance of earthworms as representatives of soil fauna and how they affect plant growth, the effects of the invasion of exotic earthworms into North America and other regions, and vermiculture and vermicomposting in Europe.This well-illustrated, expansive study examines the important and often overlooked impact earthworms have on the environment. It discusses the impact of climate, soil properties, predation, disease and parasitism, and competition upon earthworm ecology.

"Techniques and systems for processing food scraps, manure, yard debris, paper, and more"--Cover.

Turn your farm into a cash cow! Ron Macher offers a host of simple strategies for increasing your farm earnings, from purchasing durable equipment to growing economically viable crops. A seasoned expert in farm efficiency, Macher shows you how to locate a lucrative niche market for your products, optimize sales, and minimize costs. Whether you’re buying a new farm or jump-starting an old one, Macher’s savvy tips will help you turn your enterprise into a profitable business.

Exploring the dramatic growth and changes in the field of vermicomposting since 1988, this comprehensive review assesses the advancements made in government-funded projects in the U.S. and UK. It discusses outdoor and indoor windrows, container systems, wedge systems, and low labor-requirements. It also examines fully-automated continuous flow vermicomposting reactor systems that can process more than 1000 tons of organic wastes per reactor. The book highlights the science and biology behind the use and efficacy of vermicomposting and details the technology of the past, present, and future.

Earthworm Technology in Organic Waste Management: Recent Trends and Advances is a suitable contribution to the Waste and The Environment: Underlying Burdens And Management Strategies series that will be helpful in classifying and broadly addressing assessments, mitigation strategies, and the management of organic wastes using earthworms. In addition, the book provides a summary of the latest findings on emerging pollution-related issues, their sustainable management, and future perspectives. The book covers recent trends and developments in organic waste management, including the use of earthworms in municipal and industrial waste management, the role of earthworms in vermifiltration/vermiwash, and of vermicompost in crops. Finally, the book covers the potential of earthworms in the remediation of emerging contaminants. This includes antibiotic resistance genes, heavy metals, pesticides, microplastics, and other emerging pollutants that are not covered in-depth in previously published titles. - Covers a broad range of information on different aspects of organic waste treatment by earthworm technology - Illustrates how earthworms can be used in modeling, assessment and management of environmental issues caused by geogenic, industrial and emerging pollutants - Highlights the reuse and recycling of industrial and municipal organic waste and recovery of value-added resources from organic waste

A richly illustrated celebration of the mysterious world of worms in science and culture. This book celebrates the mysterious world of worms from gardens to toothaches and beyond. Kevin Butt introduces all manner of worms, including many that bear only superficial resemblance to our limbless, sinuous friends in the dirt. To trace the intimate history between worms and people, he discusses worms that live in bodies, soil, and water as well as worms from literature and mythology. Throughout the ages, worms have been portrayed as benign, even beautiful, yet at other times spitefully ostracized as deadly creatures. This richly illustrated book looks at the microscopic and the very large indeed, asking what the future holds for both human- and worm-kind.