Earthworms in an ecosystem. Common earthworm
It is very simple to explain where the name “earthworms” came from. After the rain, creatures of a reddish hue crawl and wriggle on footpaths, parks and gardens, risking being trampled by passers-by. They are not very pleasant to look at, and they even inspire fear in small children. In addition to the horror, children have a question: “What do they eat in the soil?”
What are earthworms?
Biological science classifies these representatives of the animal world as a type. If you look closely, you will notice that their thin bodies (a little more than 50 mm in diameter) 15-30 cm long form rings, the number of which sometimes reaches 300. There are tiny two-centimeter earthworms. But few people know about the existence of giant worms that reach two meters in length. That's how scary earthworms can be. What these representatives of the fauna eat is also interesting.
Only when viewed from a very close distance can one notice that one end of the worm is thicker and darker. It's kind of like a head.
How do worms move?
The worm moves due to the opposite ends of the body. The front end extends and clings to the rough surface of the soil. Then comes the turn of the back part, which, resting on the ground, is pulled up to the head. In this case, the body has to alternately stretch and contract, changing its length. Directly under the skin there is a well-developed muscle system, which has a two-layer structure. Changes in length spread along the body in waves, which is easy to notice.
The earthworm's respiratory organ is its entire skin. A prerequisite for the respiratory process is the presence of mucus on the surface of the body. Dry skin leads to the death of the animal. The worm can live in an aquatic environment for several weeks. “What do earthworms eat and how do they reproduce?” - this question is asked by many people.
The lack of hearing and vision is compensated by an excellent sense of touch, which helps the worm find food.
What do earthworms eat?
As soon as you pick up an earthworm and then lower it back onto the loose soil, it immediately disappears somewhere. The front end, which takes the shape of a wedge, helps it quickly hide. With this “tool” he pushes out soil particles without much difficulty, and the body gradually goes deeper into the ground.
For dense soil, the worm chooses a different tactic - it swallows those soil particles that prevent immersion. Nutrients are extracted from it through the digestive tract. The anus removes all other useless mass from the body. A thin earthen thread stretches behind the worm. All fishing enthusiasts know what earthworms eat at home. These creatures can be bred in a metal bucket of soil, into which tea leaves and branches from the street are sometimes added.
Worms' favorite treat
These animals prefer soil that contains large amounts of humus. The diet includes a variety of plant debris (for example, leaves fallen from trees and shrubs), including rotting ones. The worm takes them with it when it goes deeper into the lower layers of the soil. Many people are also interested in what earthworms eat on worm farms. There they are given humus and prepared food from old leaves and branches.
The obvious fact is that by “drilling” many tiny holes, the worms loosen the soil, making it possible for oxygen to enter it and enrich it with nutrients. Ultimately, this increases productivity. Experienced owners of summer cottages, taking into account the invaluable benefits of these tiny inhabitants of the soil, treat them with care and try to create conditions for reproduction and increasing numbers in gardens and vegetable gardens.
The earthworm has been known to everyone, probably since childhood. Everyone remembers the pink creatures that appear out of nowhere after the rain. But not everyone knows that earthworms are a real treasure for the earth; they play a big role in the ecosystem, enrich the earth with nutrients, and provide food for many birds and animals. There are many interesting facts that reveal all the secrets of the “extraordinary” inhabitant of the earth’s bowels, who does not look attractive at all, but is of great importance in nature and human life.
Structure and description of worms
Earthworms are a type of annelid. They live mainly in moist soil rich in humus. Interestingly, the habitat is 5 continents - all except Australia. The features of their appearance are as follows::
Each segment also has bristles that help it move underground. The tube-shaped body completely lacks bones and cartilage; the body cavities are filled with liquid. The earthworm is perhaps the most amazing creature that lives in the soil; it has no eyes, no lungs, no ears. Breathing occurs through the skin. The worm has several hearts, and the digestive system runs along the entire length of the body.
The mucous glands located between the segments secrete mucus, which protects against drying out, helps in movement underground, and prevents soil from sticking to the body. And also it scares away predators because it tastes very bad.
The average life expectancy is from 4 to 8 years. However, there are cases when the age of the worm reached even 10 years. It is difficult to find such long-livers in nature, since any bird or rodent and, of course, humans pose a danger to them. The greatest threat currently comes from chemical fertilizers generously added to the soil, most of which are lethal to worms.
Favorite food
A very interesting question is what earthworms eat. Their “menu” is quite modest; the diet is based on fallen, rotting leaves, as well as other organic remains - roots, rotten wood. Worms have teeth in their stomach. Liquid-like soft food is absorbed through the pharynx, then muscularly pushed further - into the goiter, and then into the stomach, where it is crushed and ground with the help of the so-called teeth - hard growths similar to the incisors we are used to. When the gastric muscles contract, these hard, tooth-like processes come into motion. Digestion occurs in the intestines.
Undigested food remains are deposited in the soil. In one day, an adult earthworm can process half a kilo of soil!
Lifestyle
As you know, earthworms are underground inhabitants. They spend most of their lives digging underground passages and burrows; the network of such corridors can reach a depth of 2-3 meters. Worms are nocturnal animals by way of life. Their body is not at all protected from ultraviolet radiation, so the peak of activity comes in the evening and at night. As a “home” they prefer moist soil rich in humus. Animals do not like either sandy or overly swampy areas. This is due to breathing patterns.
They take in oxygen through their skin, but in excessively damp soil there is very little air, which causes inconvenience and the animal begins to suffocate. This explains their behavior after the rain. The ground becomes so wet that the worms are forced to crawl to the surface to avoid suffocation.
In dry soil, the mucus covering the skin dries out, depriving the worms of the ability to both breathe and move comfortably. With the arrival of cold weather, earthworms go into the deeper layers of the soil.
Reproduction of worms
The small soil dweller has the specificity of reproducing offspring. Reproduction of earthworms occurs mainly in the warm season and stops during drought and cold snaps, when they go into the deeper layers of the soil to spend the winter.
Everyone knows that earthworms are hermaphrodites. The body of the worm contains both male and female genital organs. However, this is not enough for reproduction. Invertebrates need another individual with whom the mating process will occur - the exchange of genetic material. Worms find a partner by smell, since their bodies produce pheromones that are sensed by another earthworm. Reproduction occurs as follows.
They mate on the surface of the ground in wet weather. In the process, the worms are pressed against each other so that the back end of one worm is pressed against the front end of the other, in other words, a jack. The mucous membrane ensures the exchange of sperm. After separation from each other, each worm remains with a part of the sperm-rich shell, which gradually hardens and becomes denser and passes to the anterior end of the worm, where fertilization occurs. Then the shell slides off the body and closes, forming a kind of cocoon, very dense in structure.
It safely stores about 20-25 eggs. This cocoon is able to protect eggs even in conditions of drought or extreme cold. However, as a rule, only one worm hatches from one cocoon; the rest die.
Role in nature
Some gardeners mistakenly consider earthworms to be harmful “insects” that eat young shoots and gnaw on plant roots. This opinion is absolutely wrong. On the contrary, they play a vital role in creating fertile soil. Worms are a kind of factory, a humus production system. Worms also dig passages and holes, enriching the soil with oxygen and moisture. They improve fertility, mineral composition and soil structure. This process is gradual and occurs in stages.:
This is the role of invertebrates in soil formation.
In nature, everything is interconnected, so worms are little helpers not only in agriculture, but also have their own function in the entire ecosystem. They are the orderlies-cleaners of the earth, help in the decomposition of organic remains. And finally, the presence of worms is a good indicator of soil fertility.
Increase in quantity
Undoubtedly, the earthworm is a good friend of the gardener and gardener. Therefore, it is worth not being lazy and creating favorable conditions for them to live and reproduce, for which beneficial invertebrates will repay a hundredfold. The main factor in their life activity is moisture (which is why, when you lift an old stump or garden bricks from the ground, you can see wriggling pink tails underneath them). They do not live in dry soil, but go to the depths.
The best way to keep the soil moist is to mulch. This is covering the beds with a small layer of straw, leaves or humus. And also don’t be too zealous with chemical fertilizers.
Self-breeding
You can breed worms at home for use in fishing, feeding pets - hedgehogs, bats, birds, as well as for producing vermicompost - a universal and environmentally friendly fertilizer. Vermicompost is a unique product made from recycled earthworm waste.
Breeding worms is accessible to everyone, simply and without investment. What for this it is necessary:
These simple rules will allow you to make a home vermifarm. These representatives of the “belt worms” class are unpretentious in care and nutrition, so diluting the required amount of them will not be difficult at all. An unusual farm will help show children what life cycle their familiar invertebrates go through.
The story of Charles Darwin and the earthworm is very instructive. The great scientist has been known to everyone since his school days as the founder of the theory of evolution. But few people know that this researcher was very interested in studying common worms. He devoted a lot of time to studying them, even writing scholarly works on this topic. As an experiment, Darwin placed several individuals in pots of soil and observed them. During the experiments it turned out that the worms are able to eat even meat. The scientist attached small pieces of meat to the surface of the pots and checked after a few days - the product was almost completely eaten.
They could also eat pieces of their dead brethren, for which the biologist even called the worms the bloodthirsty nickname “cannibals.”
Decaying leaves are used by worms not only for food. They can drag and plug the entrances to their burrows with leaves, old grass, and scraps of wool. Sometimes you can find a hole filled with bunches of leaves and grass. Darwin assumed that this was insulation before the cold season.
According to the scientist, it is worms that help in the preservation of historical values and treasures. Over the course of several years, stone tools and gold jewelry are gradually covered with worm excrement, which reliably preserves them from the influence of time.
Currently, 11 species of earthworms are listed in the Red Book.
Invertebrates are 82 percent pure protein, making them a nutritious food for some peoples around the world. Often travelers or soldiers in difficult situations who find themselves in the jungle survive by eating worms. Plus, this diet is good for your health! Scientists have found that eating worms lowers cholesterol levels.
The largest earthworm was discovered in South Africa, its length was 670 cm. This is a real giant!
Many people believe that if a worm is cut or torn in half, both parts will survive. But that's not true. Only the front part, the head, survives, since the worm feeds using the front part, and to live it needs to eat, like all living creatures. The front part will grow a new tail, the back part, unfortunately, is doomed to death.
The earthworm is a special inhabitant of our planet. It brings her great benefit. Therefore, we should not forget about its significance in the natural system. Surprisingly, Charles Darwin considered earthworms to be somewhat similar to humans and suspected that they contained the rudiments of intelligence.
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After much scientific research and zoological work, it was possible to determine an interesting fact: the ordinary earthworm plays a very important role in the decomposition of organic substances that fall into the soil, enriching it with humus and other important plant nutrition elements rising from the deep layers of the root system.
These are the animals occupy a leading position along with the most important soil helpers, and a worthy alternative for the earthworm has not yet been found. If there are colonies of these eukaryotes in the soil, fertility indicators will be maximum, since they directly depend on the volume of organic substances that enter the soil.
It is very difficult to overestimate the role of the earthworm for the ecosystem. Such a tiny creature enriches the soil with all useful elements, making it fertile and healthy. Few people know about this, but the life and existence of the human race is strongly connected with the activities of these animals. Their disappearance would have fatal consequences, including mass deaths due to starvation.
Earthworm: main characteristics
An earthworm or earthworm is a segmented worm with a tubular shape. The animal is found on all continents of the globe, in places with an abundant supply of moisture and organic matter. Life expectancy reaches 4-8 years and is determined by the type of specific inhabitants. Some of them can live up to ten years. An interesting structural feature is the digestive system, which runs along the entire length of the body. In this case, food is digested by moving a set of muscles.
Small earthworm has a central and peripheral nervous system. He can also breathe through his skin. This creature's body is filled with slimy fluid and acts as a hydrostatic skeleton. Any cartilage and connective tissue are absent. The presence of circular and longitudinal muscles allows the animal to move normally from one place to another.
It is important to note that due to the unique body structure of the earthworm, it is often called the most mysterious creature on the planet. He lacks eyes, ears and even lungs. But the animal has several hearts. At the same time, the mucous liquid has an unpleasant taste, so predators do not consume it as food.
Varieties of earthworm
Group of earthworms consists of many subspecies and families. Currently, more than two thousand species can be identified that are found in all regions of our globe. 40 of them live on the European continent. The most popular are two main types: the common earthworm and the dung worm. Let's look at the detailed characteristics of both varieties.
Earthworms may vary and biological properties, such as type of nutrition and habitat in the soil. For this reason, scientists distinguish two main varieties:
- worms that live on the surface of the soil;
- worms that dig deep holes and make homes inside the soil.
Life cycle of earthworms
If we highlight the main features of the life cycle of an earthworm, they will be divided into four stages:
As mentioned above, the role of worms in nature is colossal. For this reason, these animals are now being bred and popularized to improve the fertility of vegetable gardens. The abundance of such invertebrates in the soil leads to the successful cultivation of various plant crops. Also worms are important for gardeners, which is why they are often called “the first agricultural technicians.” And this is explained by a simple fact: the more worms in the soil, the better the garden trees will develop.
But what is the impact of such creatures on the ground? First of all, they solve a lot of problems of loosening the soil, improving its structure and increasing fertility. As a result, the gardener is relieved of a lot of additional worries.
In addition, as animals move through the garden, they dig deep tunnels that ensure a stable flow of air through the seeds and roots of plants. This behavior allows us to call worms invisible tiny plowmen. It is also important to note that invertebrates protect vegetation from numerous diseases and pests. They produce stable humus by eating organic matter, including rotten leaves, dirt and grass clippings.
During the digestion of food the worm excretes a large amount of organic excrement, which contains elements such as:
- phosphorus;
- calcium;
- nitrogen;
- magnesium.
Therefore, if you come across a colony of earthworms in your garden or vegetable garden, the question “is this inhabitant useful for the local ecosystem” should automatically disappear.
Interesting fact: The famous scientist Charles Darwin, who proposed the theory of natural selection, paid great attention to the study of the life cycle of earthworms. Over the course of 40 years of his life, he conducted various experiments and studies with these spineless creatures, as a result of which a book was born entitled “The formation of the vegetable layer of the earth by the activity of earthworms and observations on their way of life.”
How to increase the earthworm content in the garden. Home breeding
There are many ways to improve soil fertility in a vegetable garden or garden by promoting invertebrates. Experienced gardeners use various organic substances for this purpose. Periodic mulching of the soil also helps. Humus, fallen leaves, manure, compost and other similar materials are placed on the surface layer of soil.
In addition, many gardeners breed worms at home. It is important to note that such an activity does not require any special effort or investment. It is enough to provide optimal access to food, proper humidity, darkness and free space. Successful organization of a worm house can be carried out in the spring or early summer, since during this period the temperature range remains optimal. The worms will have time to multiply and become strong before the onset of winter. So, now directly about breeding worms in the garden.
The worm house is a special structure in which representatives of the spineless will live and develop. You can use absolutely any container as it - boxes, troughs, an old bathtub, etc. For successful cultivation, it is recommended to carry out the procedure on open compost. But it is important to protect the selected area with a special net to prevent massive consumption of worms by birds and other animals.
In order for the care and maintenance of these little plowmen to be as effective as possible, you need to put compost on the bottom of the future house (the optimal layer is 40 centimeters thick) and thoroughly treat it with warm liquid. After this, you need to arrange a straw bedding and wait 5-6 days for complete absorption. That's all, the home can be considered ready to move in.
Finding earthworms for your upcoming stocking is easy. To do this, it is enough to dig up a small layer of soil in your own garden or garden. Individuals that appear on the top layer of soil after heavy rain take root particularly well. You can also buy worms at the appropriate store.
The settlement process can be divided into several stages. First you need to dig a small hole in the center of your home and throw a bucket of worms there. After this, they can be covered on top with straw or burlap. The first results of successful settlement will be noticeable within seven days. You need to periodically monitor the creatures and their behavior in their new habitat. If animals lead an active lifestyle, it means they have settled in well and everything is fine with them.
In order for the little ones to quickly adapt to new conditions, start feeding them only 3-4 weeks after moving in. But warm water needs to be added to the worm trap at least 2 times a week.
Earthworm Care
When asking the question “how long do earthworms live,” it is important to pay attention to the correct care and the conditions created. In order for animals to develop normally and fulfill their reproductive duties, they need to be provided with relative coolness, shade and a balanced food supply. Experienced experts advise adding a small amount of sand or crushed eggshells to compost manure. Once every 14 days it is necessary to add food to the ground. But under no circumstances should you overfeed animals.
If you are going to breed worms at home, you should know that these creatures are capable of processing almost any organic product. The main thing is that they are crushed, since animals do not have teeth.
It should be noted that before replenishing the worm cage with fresh food, you must make sure that the previous supply is completely eaten. Otherwise, the spineless ones will become oversaturated and soon die. If organic compounds remain in the compost, acidity levels can skyrocket, creating lethal conditions in the soil. Also, excess feed leads to the proliferation of dangerous pests, including mites.
Earthworms can be found on every continent except Antarctica.
Earthworms play one of the main roles in soil microflora; they decompose organic matter in the soil and enrich it with humus.
The presence of worms in the soil is a sign of its fertility.
Earthworms are bred systematically to process organic matter in the soil and form a clean, environmentally friendly fertilizer - vermicompost.
As a result of their vital activity, the soil is enriched with nutrients; they also loosen the soil, which allows plant roots to receive more oxygen and nutrients.
Appearance
Features of appearance largely depend on the species.
Thus, the length of earthworms depends on their type and varies from 2 centimeters to 3 meters; the number of body segments can be from 80 to 300.
The movement of individuals is carried out due to bristles on the body segments; their number can vary from 8 to dozens in worms that live in the tropics.
The color of the worms also differs depending on the species; they can be gray, red or even black. The lifespan of worms is 4-8 years.
Worms have a well-developed closed circulatory system; worms breathe through skin cells covered with protective mucus. The nervous system consists of two nerve ganglia of the brain and a nerve ventral cord.
Life cycle
The life cycle of earthworms includes 4 periods.
Stage 1. Hatching from the cocoon
Eggs mature in 2 weeks to 3 months. After this period, the worms hatch from the cocoon. The rate of emergence from the cocoon depends on climatic conditions.
Stage 2. Growth and development of adults
After a couple of months, the worms develop a reproductive system; the worms transform into a full-fledged adult organism within one year.
Stage 3. Reproduction
Reproduction occurs sexually, through cross-pollination, worms are hermaphrodites, each individual has both a male and female reproductive system. Fertilization occurs in two individuals at once.
Stage 4. Formation of a cocoon
After fertilization, the cocoons from each individual are rolled into the soil and matured. One cocoon can contain from 1 to 5 worm embryos.
Digestion
Worms feed on insects, rotting animal remains, manure, and organic food debris.
Initially, food is broken up into small segments in the pharynx, then passes into the intestines, where it is digested. Part of the food is used to support the life of the worms, and the rest is excreted from the body.
Processed and excreted foods are enriched with calcium, magnesium, nitrogen and phosphorus.
During the winter, worms go into hibernation, burrowing deep into the ground to hide from frost. They come to the surface with the arrival of heat and rise to the surface of the earth.
Types of worms
In total, there are now more than 2,000 species of worms worldwide. The most common can be considered ordinary rain worm and dung worm.
An ordinary earthworm can grow up to 30 centimeters in length, and its body color can vary from brown to red. The habitat is fields, gardens or vegetable gardens. It can dig passages up to 3 meters deep in the soil.
The dung worm is several times shorter in length than the earthworm, only 4-14 centimeters, and is distinguished by its dark orange color with yellow stripes around the rings. Found exclusively in manure soil.
Breeding worms
You can also create additional organic fertilizers using worms in garden conditions.
To do this, you need to follow a number of steps.
Worms live 20 centimeters from the surface of the earth; everything below this layer is recycled vermicompost, which can be used to fertilize garden beds or grow seedlings.
For the winter, the top layer should be moved to another container and covered until spring with a 50-centimeter layer of compost. In the spring you can start feeding the worms again.
As you can see, earthworms are more like gardeners' friends than pests; they help loosen the soil, providing oxygen access to plant roots, enrich the soil with nutrients, and also serve as food for birds.