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Earthworms aren't just good for fish bait. Read about earthworm anatomy, reproduction and life as an earthworm at HowStuffWorks.
An earthworm is a soil-dwelling terrestrial invertebrate that belongs to the phylum Annelida. The term is the common name for the largest members of the class (or subclass, depending on the author) Oligochaeta.
Earthworms are sometimes known as ‘ecosystem engineers’ because they significantly modify the physical, chemical and biological properties of the soil profile. These modifications can influence the habitat and activities of other organisms within the soil ecosystem.
25 lut 2024 · The unassuming earthworm is a crucial species in maintaining the health of our soil. By boring their way through the earth, worms allow for aeration, improved soil structure, and nutrient cycling.
Earthworms do this by eating organic matter and breaking it down into smaller pieces allowing bacteria and fungi to feed on it and release the nutrients. Earthworms are also responsible for mixing soil layers and incorporating organic matter into the soil.
25 paź 2019 · Referred to by Aristotle as Earth's intestines, earthworms accelerate organic matter decomposition by ingesting more than 30 times their own weight in soil per day and can rapidly mix large amounts of leaf litter into underlying soil horizons, increasing the release of plant nutrients.
Earthworms are vital to soil health because they transport nutrients and minerals from below to the surface via their waste, and their tunnels aerate the ground.
