Why are earthworms important?

Earthworms play an important role in breaking down dead organic matter in a process known as decomposition. This is what the earthworms living in your compost bin are doing and earthworms living in soils also decompose organic matter. read more

However, earthworms have another very important effect on soil, which has only been studied in the last 15 years or so. That is, earthworms directly improve the structure of the soil and hence its stability. read more

In fact, earthworms may be the most important factor in the success of a garden. Some people even call earthworms"nature's first gardeners"! If you've ever been around a farm in spring, you know that farmers need to plow the soil. read more

Burrowing also improves soil aeration (important for both plants and other organisms living in the soil) and enhances plant root penetration. Providing food for predators: Earthworms, like all creatures, are part of food webs. Birds are well known predators, but native earthworms are also food for endangered and endemic land snails. read more