The Biological Recording Company provides specialist earthworm consultancy services supporting ecological consultancy, conservation, research, and professional development. Whether you need earthworm surveys, identification training, or research support, our services combine scientific knowledge with practical experience to deliver reliable, evidence-based outcomes.
Our earthworm consultancy is led by Keiron Brown, National Recorder for Earthworms and founder of the National Earthworm Recording Scheme. With extensive experience in earthworm identification, ecology, recording, and research, he works with ecological consultancies, conservation organisations, researchers, and land managers across the UK.
Earthworm Surveys
Professional surveys for ecology, conservation and research
Earthworm surveys provide valuable information about soil biodiversity, habitat quality, and ecosystem health. Using recognised survey methodologies, we deliver robust field surveys for ecological assessments, habitat monitoring, conservation projects, and scientific research.
Whether establishing baseline data, monitoring changes over time or supporting habitat restoration, our surveys provide reliable evidence to inform management and decision-making.
Our earthworm survey services include:
- Site assessments, baseline surveys and long-term monitoring programmes
- Field sampling using established soil pit, vermifuge, and microhabitat techniques
- Specialist identification of earthworm specimens
- Data analysis, interpretation and reporting
Previous projects
The Sapperton Wilder Baseline Earthworm Survey established a robust baseline for monitoring soil health across a 380-acre landscape restoration project. Over three years, we recorded 4,868 earthworms, providing the evidence needed to measure the long-term impacts of regenerative farming, agroforestry, and habitat restoration.
The Hay Time Project Earthworm Survey established a baseline for monitoring the effects of hay meadow restoration for the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust. Over three years, we’ve completed 36 soil pit survey transects across 25 fields at 16 sites, recording 2,433 earthworms and providing robust evidence to support the long-term monitoring of soil biodiversity and habitat restoration outcomes.
Earthworm Research
Advancing knowledge through collaborative research
Earthworms play a vital role in healthy ecosystems, yet many aspects of their ecology and distribution remain poorly understood. We work with researchers, universities, conservation organisations and environmental consultancies to support projects that improve our understanding of earthworm biodiversity and ecology.
Research support includes project design, field sampling, specimen verification, data analysis, publication support, and collaborative research, helping to generate robust scientific evidence for conservation and land management.
Our earthworm research services include:
- Collaborative research projects
- Survey design and field sampling
- Specimen identification and verification
- Data analysis, interpretation and reporting
Previous projects
The Earthworm Image Recognition Project, delivered in collaboration with the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, explored the potential of image recognition technology to support earthworm identification. The project combined specialist identification, biological recording, and image datasets to investigate new approaches for understanding soil biodiversity.
The Leave the Leaves Earthworm Research Project investigated whether routine leaf litter clearance affects earthworm communities in urban parks. Commissioned by The Royal Parks, the study combined field surveys with statistical analysis to compare earthworm abundance and diversity in managed and unmanaged areas, providing an evidence base to inform future park management and urban biodiversity conservation.
The Central Chilterns Farm Cluster Earthworm Survey compared the effects of different farming practices on soil biodiversity across five farms on behalf of the Chilterns Conservation Board. We assessed how management practices such as tillage, grazing, and input levels influence soil health and earthworm communities, providing evidence to support more sustainable farming.
Earthworm Training
Build earthworm knowledge within your organisation or community
We provide tailored earthworm training for organisations, supporting staff, volunteers, community groups, and project participants to develop their understanding of earthworm identification, ecology, surveying, and biological recording.
Training can be adapted to suit different audiences and objectives, from introductory sessions designed to engage communities and volunteers through to more detailed training supporting ecological surveys, monitoring programmes and research projects.
Our earthworm training can help organisations to:
- Develop identification and recording skills
- Improve confidence in surveying and monitoring earthworms
- Engage volunteers and communities with soil biodiversity
- Support ecological and conservation projects
Our earthworm training courses and events have been delivered on behalf of National Museums NI, Tanyptera Project, Yorkshire Dales National Park, Forest of Bowland National Landscape, Natural History Society of Northumbria, Earthworm Society of Britain, Field Studies Council, and more!
Our earthworm courses and event
Our 1-day training courses and events can be delivered independently or combined to create multi-day or residential training options. For example, the Earthworm Sampling Day and Earthworm Identification course could be combined to create an ‘Earthworm ID Weekend’.
Earthworm Biology & Ecology is a 1-day training course aimed at those with no previous knowledge of earthworms. This course is designed to give an overview of the science of earthworms and is great for environmental educators, amateur naturalists, students, and biological recorders.
Earthworm Sampling Days are 1-day specialist-led field sessions teaching volunteers/staff how to survey for earthworms. These events require no previous experience and are great for biological recorders, amateur naturalists, conservationists, and students.
Earthworm Identification is a 1-day training course aimed at those wishing to learn how to identify British and Irish earthworms to species level. This course is aimed at those who have a background in natural history and is great for biological recorders, amateur naturalists, environmental professionals, students, and researchers.
Earthworm Study Days are 1-day specialist-led workshops supervising volunteers/staff undertaking the identification of earthworm specimens. This workshop is aimed at those with earthworm identification experience and is great for biological recorders, amateur naturalists, environmental professionals, students, and researchers.
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