Earthworms alter aboveground plant interactions

Earthworms play a mayor role in nutrient cycling and have pronounced impacts on plant performance. The earthworm-mediated changes in growth and quality of plants affect plant competition and aboveground herbivores. Due to different root morphologies and N acquisition strategies plants respond differently to earthworms. Grasses profit most from the enhanced nutrient availability and can increase their competitive ability in the presence of earthworms. Earthworms outweigh negative effects of other soil organisms on plant community performance. Besides affecting primary metabolites, earthworms change secondary metabolites in plants. The changes in plant food quality can affect aboveground herbivores.