An exciting 18-month project is now underway to improve our understanding and protection of the Giant Gippsland Earthworm (GGE) - one of the world’s largest earthworms. Led by a consortium of local organisations, this project brings together scientific research and on-ground Landcare actions to investigate a key but poorly understood threat to the species: changes in soil hydrology. Soil hydrological processes play a critical role in shaping GGE habitat and influencing the species’ distribution. However, the specific soil moisture, temperature, and oxygen conditions that support GGE colonies remain unknown. Nor do we yet understand how much change these earthworms can tolerate before habitat becomes unsuitable. Alterations to natural drainage - such as through urban development, dam construction, retarding basins, or even dense revegetation near colonies - are known to increase the risk of drying or flooding soils. Combined with the effects of climate change, these changes could have significant implications for GGE survival. By combining mapping of GGE sites, soil monitoring, and targeted habitat protection works, the project aims to identify the hydrological conditions most critical to GGE and to guide future land management decisions across the species’ range. Project partners include: Gippsland Threatened Species Action Group, South Gippsland Landcare Network, Bass Coast Landcare Network, Invert-Eco Terrestrial Invertebrate Consulting, Oates Environmental Consulting, Drift Media, and Water Technology. With funding support from the Australian Government’s Saving Native Species Program, the project will: • Protect GGE colonies across four properties in South Gippsland through detailed habitat mapping, landholder agreements, and targeted on-ground conservation works; • Launch a pilot soil hydrology study to monitor soil moisture, temperature, and oxygen levels over a 12–15 month period at one property; • Share insights through field days, educational videos and case studies through www.giantearthworm.org.au and Landcare Partner Network websites. Project Resources: • GGE & Soil Moisture Fact Sheet • Managing Cattle, Sheep & GGE Case Study • GGE Interactive Resource • Fact sheet about planting around GGE colonies • Video showing how to identify GGE habitat For more information: cassie@sgln.net.au joel.geoghegan@basscoastlandcare.org.au

This project received grant funding from the Australian Government Saving Native Species Program.

Click to enlarge

The Threat Mitigation and Soil Hydrology for the Giant Gippsland Earthworm project is a collaboration between: