Worms and earthworms may look like they do nothing in this world. But is that true? Today, we will learn about the importance of worms and earthworms on the earth.
So why are worms and earthworms important? Worms and earthworms are known as the engineers below the ground. Worms and earthworms consume and recycle organic matter and provide nutrients for our soil.
Many people do not like worms and earthworms. They find worms disgusting and filthy. But what people do not know is that worms and earthworms play an essential part in our ecosystem.
These animals are not as engineers of the ground for nothing. Even Charles Darwin knew about the crucial part worms, and earthworms do in our nature.
He even made a whole book about worms and earthworms. That is how vital worms and earthworms are for our environment.
People might compare worms and earthworms with other cool animals, and they would rank low in all of them, but the contribution of worms and earthworms are more significant than these other animals.
Let us know more about the contributions of these beautiful creatures. Let’s get started!
Contents
Why Do We Need Worms And Earthworms?
Worms and earthworms help in giving more oxygen to our soil. They break down organic material, and they make our soil healthy for plants and trees to grow. These worms and earthworms consume the decaying organic matter and turn them into food for our plants.
This is important because we need our soil healthy for plants to grow. And plants offer us food. This is a cycle, and worms and earthworms are very crucial for this process.
What Would Happen Without Worms And Earthworms?
Without worms and earthworms, we would have less food. Worms and earthworms also help in flooding. Without worms and earthworms, it can cause more flooding and more pollution.
Our soil will not be healthy as it is because these creatures are the ones responsible for keeping our soil healthy. Without them, our soil and plants will not thrive.
What Is The Importance Of Earthworms In The Soil?
Worms and earthworms live on the soil, and there are reasons for that. These creatures are vital for our soil. Here are the vital roles earthworms have on our soil.
1. Earthworms Recycle Nutrients
Worms are vigorous eaters. They can eat food that is equivalent to their weight every day. Worms feed on decaying organic matters like plants and animals.
When worms eat, they will break down organic matters, and they recycle these organic matters in the soil. When worms consume organic materials, they break them down into nutrients, and these nutrients would go into the soul and be very healthy for our plants.
You might have also seen worm castings before. You might even see one and have no idea that it is called worm casting. This is the end of the recycling process.
2. Earthworms Improve The Structure Of The Soil
Earthworms burrow their way in the soil. When they do that, they mix and loosen the soil’s structure. When earthworms burrow in the soil, they allow the water to drain out.
There are times when water would get stuck on the surface, and the earthworms can do something about it. Some researchers claimed that soil could not absorb water as well as it can without earthworms.
You can also identify if your soil is good and healthy if it has earthworms. Vice versa, if you want your soil to be healthy, you can put in some earthworms.
3. Earthworms Can Repair Damage Soil
If soil is unhealthy and damaged, earthworms can change that. Earthworms can repair damaged soil by doing a process we call bioremediation. Earthworms will consume and break down pollutants in the ground and convert it to molecules that are not toxic.
There is now a reason why people view earthworms as dirty. They literally clean our soil for us. Good job, earthworms.
You see, earthworms are vital creatures for our soil. We need to do our part and protect these species because they gave us significant help.
How Do Worms Affect The Environment?
Worms are known as engineers in the ground, but they are called engineers of our ecosystem. Worms took care of organic properties in our soil. In line with this, there are other creatures in the ground that worms also affect.
1. Earthworms Can Supply Food For Other Animals
Earthworms decompose organic matters and turn them into nutrients for the soil. This is not the ending, though.
An earthworm also is very important to the food chain. They provide food to other species like birds and frogs.
2. Earthworms Recycle Organic Materials
Earworms help with decomposing. Decomposing will not be possible without earthworms. They break down organic matters and make them into nutrients that our plants eat.
Plants and animals decompose because of earthworms. These fellas consume these organic matters and break them down.
Why Are Some Worms Harmful?
Some worms are predatory, including parasitic nematodes. Harmful nematodes are parasites, and they can go from different animals.
Some flatworms are bad species. Why these worms are harmful has not been figured out by experts. Maybe we can call this another mystery of nature.
Summary
In summary, worms and earthworms are vital for the earth. These creatures are the ones responsible for decomposing.
They are also the one who makes our soil healthy for plants and trees to grow. Without worms, our soil would be polluted and unhealthy.
They provide nutrients for our soil. Worms and earthworms also provide food for other species. They are critical of the food chain and for the ecosystem.
Resources
Image credits – Canva
