How do earthworms affect the soil?

Answer 1

Earthworms affect the soil by aerating the soil with their worm holes and by turning organing matter into humus that provides nitrogen for plants. Their main contribution is through aeration though. When farmers used to plow it would kill off a lot of the earthworms in the soil. Now with no-tilling it is starting to allow the earthworms to come back and aerate the soil. Their holes can also allow water to get down into the soil easier so their isn't as much water run off.

Answer 2

A: PosiTiVeLy! In aLL manners Positive.

Got Worms: Got GooD SoiL.

As Slim and others have said, Worms aerate [impregnate with common air] the soil, and their digestive process vastly improves the soil by turning it into humus [the organic portion of soil; the dark brown/black/"black gold" stuff]. Nothing is better for soil than worms doing their thing!

Do a search on Yahoo Answers for Composting/Compost/Worms [one/or the other]; their is an Answer given to a Compost question that gives a number of good links on how to attract worms/make a "worm bed". Even if you're not interested in making a worm bed, these sites/links will have additional information on worms.

A: Worms Improve the Soil! [through aeration and production of humus]
Go-o-o Worms!

Answer 3

Worms pass soil through their gut and absorb the nutrients they need from the soil. They have calcification glands in their gut that releases calcium into the soil. Calcium is a minor plant nutrient.

They also change the structure of the soil by their burrowing. This allows easier penetration of roots and absorption of water. Further, their tunneling allows for some soil aeration.

Answer 4

Worms move through the soil which creates tunnels for air and water to easily pass down the soil.Warms also eat leaves and other organic matter in Whig it then passes out and is a fertiliser for your plants.The more worms you have,the healthier.To get more worms,add leaves and fruit scrapes.

Answer 5

in case you dig one up planting a plant/shrub/tree, do your best to conceal it back so the birds do not get it. They digest the soil. shifting it with the help of their bowels in a roundabout way makes it richer. So, the earlybird receives the trojan horse, yet for your grass, help that trojan horse out.

Answer 6

Slim is right and they also bore holes which allows the rains to percolate evenly into the water table.

Answer 7

by eating organic matter they convert organic matter into worm poo. which is essential humus.