Darwin's earthworms revisited

Greatest species richness (n = 9) was found in Middle Field. Greatest earthworm density was present in Darwin's Kitchen Garden (715 m−2) with the largest associated biomass (261 g m−2). Aporrectodea longa was the most abundant species. Lumbricus terrestris, described by Darwin in terms of its behaviour, but not directly named, was located in relatively low numbers, but its diagnostic middens and associated burrows were easily detected. Earthworms associated with Darwin's cinder and chalk application experiments were also examined. In total, 19 of Britain's 28 earthworm species were located within the nominated World Heritage Site.