In: Earthworm Engineering and Applications Editors: Adarsh Pal Vig, Jaswinder Singh and Surindra Suthar ISBN: 978-1-68507-566-8 © 2022 Nova Science Publishers, Inc. Chapter 9 Earthworms: A Contrivance to Ameliorate Water Infiltration Rates and Water Holding Capacity in Agroecosystem Nalini Tiwari 1 , Azhar Rashid Lone 1 , Samrendra Singh Thakur 2 , Olusola B Sokefun 3 and Shweta Yadav 1, * 1 Department of Zoology, Dr Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya (A Central University) Sagar, M.P., India 2 Department of Biotechnology, Dr Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya (A Central University) Sagar, M.P., India 3 Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Science, Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos, Nigeria Abstract Water shortage has been seen as a severe danger by global climate change. It is crucial to save water as much as possible and to take water conservation slogans seriously. Earthworms might be a good candidate for a crucial role in the hydrological system, particularly in soil-water management. Soil stores, cleanses, holds, and drains the water, limiting its flow to groundwater basins and contributing to water quality by absorbing nutrients or releasing debris. Earthworms’ burrowing and feeding activity increase the surface area available for organic matter absorption and vertical transit in the soil. Burrows made by earthworms, especially those made by anecic species, act as drainage channels, allowing rainfall to permeate deeper layers of the ground and act as underground beavers to control the ecology around them. Their role in the production of organic matter is to store 10 times their weight in water surge, the soils’ ability to retain water. The dynamics of water transport via earthworm burrows are mostly determined by aggregate and porosity. It is believed that healthy soil is required for a healthy water cycle, and healthy soil is obtained from a healthy earthworm population. The soil-water interaction of earthworms improves soil ecosystem services by increasing water holding capacity, infiltration, and retention, while their gut microbiota interactions improve soil ecosystem services in the context of ecosystem restoration and water conservation. The study emphasises the role of earthworms in improving water infiltration rates and the water holding capacity of the soil. * Corresponding Author’s Email: kmshweta@gmail.com. Complimentary Contributor Copy