Processes within pasture and crop ecosystems: The effect of earthworms on pastures

[First paragraph...]
Without earthworms pasture production may be limited to slightly more than half the true potential. With beneficial earthworms increased production is associated with pronounced physical changes that are, readily observed in the field. Changes in both physical and chemical properties are revealed by analyses of soils from pastures with and without beneficial earthworms. Some of these changes are direct results of earthworm activity, others may be brought about indirectly.