They are not so “pretty” and they may seem useless, but earthworms really deserve our attention. Especially now that, just like pollinating insects, they are in a sharp numerical decline – with serious consequences for our ecosystem.
We sometimes underestimate (or simply don’t know) the work that earthworms do for our soil. Their contribution is incredibly important to our well-being. These animals, in fact, allow the earth to increase its fertility and consequently provide much needed nourishment to the soil and all living beings dependent upon it (which obviously includes us).
According to a recent study, these animals are suffering a serious numerical collapse: 42% of fields examined in Great Britain were seriously lacking in earthworms and in some lands these animals lacked completely. Deep burrowing worms seem to be particularly affected by the problem. These are precious, as they help the soil collect and store rainwater. They were absent from 16% of the fields that underwent the study.
Why is the earthworm population falling sharply? It’s always the same reason: an environment impoverished by the ill-considered choices of man that caused them to lose their natural habitat.Only farmers seem to be concerned about saving earthworms, which, as the study mentioned above has shown, are likely to disappear quickly from Great Britain (but probably also elsewhere). This is because they know the importance of these animals for the fertility of the earth.Moving within the soil, earthworms mix the nutrients onto which millions of other species depend, they produce humus and eliminate waste material through the characteristic heaps. Moreover, thanks to the tunnels they dig, they allow air and water to enter deep into the soil.Let’s remember that these long and narrow animals are precious allies and not enemies!
According to a recent study, these animals are suffering a serious numerical collapse: 42% of fields examined in Great Britain were seriously lacking in earthworms and in some lands these animals lacked completely. Deep burrowing worms seem to be particularly affected by the problem. These are precious, as they help the soil collect and store rainwater. They were absent from 16% of the fields that underwent the study.
Why is the earthworm population falling sharply? It’s always the same reason: an environment impoverished by the ill-considered choices of man that caused them to lose their natural habitat.Only farmers seem to be concerned about saving earthworms, which, as the study mentioned above has shown, are likely to disappear quickly from Great Britain (but probably also elsewhere). This is because they know the importance of these animals for the fertility of the earth.Moving within the soil, earthworms mix the nutrients onto which millions of other species depend, they produce humus and eliminate waste material through the characteristic heaps. Moreover, thanks to the tunnels they dig, they allow air and water to enter deep into the soil.Let’s remember that these long and narrow animals are precious allies and not enemies!
