[medieval knievel]

FORMER TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern once complained that major road schemes were being held up "because of swans, snails and the occasional person hanging out of a tree". But now a price-tag has been put on the true value of our wildlife.

Whatever about swans and snails - and, in the case of one road scheme, the unglamorous Kerry slug - a new report commissioned by the Department of the Environment claims that the humble earthworm is worth €700 million per annum for the "services" it provides.

These include removing dead matter and releasing nutrients back to the soil. As Charles Darwin wrote: "It may be doubted whether there are many other animals which have played so important a part in the history of the world, as have these lowly organised creatures".

The department's 197-page report, Benefits and Costs of Biodiversity in Ireland , calculates that its marginal value is worth at least €2.6 billion per annum - much more than the costs involved in maintaining it for the benefit of society, including human health and well-being.

Compiled by a consortium led by Dr Craig Bullock of Optimize Consulting, the report concedes that putting a value on biodiversity "is no easy task" and says the €2.6 billion figure is a conservative estimate; Ireland's still rich biodiversity could be worth a lot more.

http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/frontpage/2008/0512/1210503983225.html

i must try to sell some now...

[Sb]

Good find medieval knievel. I love earthworms and can never fathom how some people are scared of them. One thing I often wonder about is what the earthworms make of all the modern city gardens which are all paving and pots but little or no beds with soil. Are the low maintenance gardeners evicting the worms.

[Protein]

In keeping with our wriggly friends - I have a question and don't want to create a new post...

Some parts of my garden have got weeblock membrane (it was inherited)

Its combination of both the woven plastic and impermeable plastic sheets.

Question is, how would this affect earthworm in their daily routines? how would worms beneath the surface feed?

me

[walltoall]

I don't know the answer to that one protein, but I reckon any helminthologist you find going the road would put you right.

[kinvarasustainableliving]

If the plastic is impermeable, as in no moisture gets through, then the ground beneath is a desert. If it's permeable, then you would have had earthworms and possibly still do. Best thing for worms though, is to pull it up and fork over the soils and add organic matter. On a recent project I've used a jute biodegradable mulch mat, and am keen to see how it preforms. It should biodegrade in 2 or 3 seasons.

[Sarah Evans]

Good advice Kinvarasustainableliving, we are encouraging customers not to use mypex. I find on our patch the clay soil just compacts and clogs up the membrame so water just sits on the top of it. Horrible stuff and definitely not good for wildlife....

[kinvarasustainableliving]

Have you tried the jute, hemp or coconut alternatives. Love to hear how they cope in Irish conditions?