2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Earthworms or earthworms (Latin Lumbricina) are a suborder of small-bristled worms from the order Haplotaxida. An unpleasant-looking and tactile creature works wonders in our garden. Night diggers enrich the soil, mix the upper and lower layers of the soil, their underground passages allow the smallest rains to penetrate to the roots, help young shoots to rise to the sun
An earthworm or earthworm is the brightest marker of soil fertility, moreover, the way of life of the worm improves the condition of the upper and lower layers of the soil, enriching it with calcium, nitrogen, phosphorus and magnesium, improving aeration and drainage.
First, let's understand the anatomy of an earthworm. Depending on the variety, the worm has a length of 2 cm to 3 m and has many color options, lives in soils of different mineral content and different depths. The mucus-covered skin, in addition to protection, also performs a respiratory function. The oversaturated earth makes it difficult for them to breathe, and that is why worms rise to the surface after rain (hence the name "rain"). Under the skin there are two rows of muscles (longitudinal and transverse), which help to wade through the hardest areas of the soil.
A very primitive nervous system is fraught with many surprises. Despite the absence of visual organs, the worm distinguishes light and, depending on the situation, changes its direction. Light-sensitive nerve cells on the surface react exclusively to wave light (such as ultraviolet light) and not to heat from it. The worms do not have hearing organs, but it was previously believed that they hear, and the reason for this was experiments when worms reacted to sounds. It turned out that the sensitive organs of touch perceive the slightest vibration of hard surfaces, while they absolutely do not perceive the sound vibrations of the air of all frequencies.
And finally, the digestive system is the very miracle of nature that works wonders in our garden. There is a misconception that the earthworm is dangerous for young shoots and planted seeds. This worm does not even have the likeness of teeth, which is why it uses exclusively decomposing remains of grass, leaves, which it can easily separate and swallow with a miniature mouth. The digestive system allows not only food to pass through itself, but also the soil itself. As the worm moves underground, it mixes it with excrement, enriching the chemical composition and saturating it with beneficial bacteria, accelerating the decomposition of plant residues. It is also impossible not to assess the physical impact on the soil. Digging it up, millions of tiny diggers improve aeration, give even the slightest precipitation the opportunity to penetrate deep into the soil.
The influence of earthworms on the ecosystem as a whole is large and even significant. 11 species of earthworms were included in the Red Book of the USSR. This is one of the few species that are not on the verge of extinction, but are protected as a particularly valuable species. Even the death of a worm is beneficial, because its decomposition releases nitrogen into the ground. In winter, the worms fall into suspended animation, but with the arrival of spring they begin to show activity, crawl to the surface, serving as almost the only food for the early returning migratory birds.
There are several ways to increase their numbers in your backyard. High-quality peat substrate, compost pits, moderate, timely watering. But do not forget that worms have no territorial attachment, and they migrate quickly. The use of pesticides, copper sulfate, and the abuse of fertilizers significantly reduce their amount in the soil. Like most living things, the worm strives to live in a comfort zone, in an ecologically clean environment.
For amateur fishermen: loosen a piece of land 1m * 1m, add peat, cover the ground with a layer of 3-5 cm of sawdust, water it daily over the sawdust. Already a few days later, by slightly lifting the layer of sawdust, you will find a large number of worms so much needed by anglers.
