Impacts of Earthworms on Other Biota in Forest Soils, with Some Emphasis on Cool Temperate Montane Forests

Interactions of the soil fauna both between different groups of invertebrates and, particularly, with soil microorganisms are considered important in affecting soil processes (e.g., organic matter decomposition and nutrient cycling) and in influencing the community composition of various groups of the soil biota (Seastedt 1984; Visser 1985). The ways in which these functional and community structure effects are achieved are by (1) comminution of and channeling in organic debris and mixing of organic debris and mineral soil, (2) grazing on microbial tissues, and (3) dispersal of microbial propagules (Visser 1985).