EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -Decomposition and soil organic matter 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.

Detailed explanation-2: -Earthworm tunnels bring in oxygen, drain water and create space for plant roots. Their natural feeding habits mean that small amounts of soil pass through their bodies and, surprisingly, when they excrete it, it is in better condition-what goes in comes out much better!

Detailed explanation-3: -Darwin thought that all tillable land on the planet has been processed through the gut of earthworms. Earthworms improve soil bulk density, pore size, water infiltration rate, soil water content, and water-holding capacity. Many consider the number of earthworms to be directly proportional to the health of a soil.

Detailed explanation-4: -A Horizon – Surface Layer The A horizon is often called the top soil. This layer is where most of the organic matter is found (i.e., worms, bugs, plant growth, microscopic organisms, dead organisms, decaying plants). Top soil is the darkest colored and most fertile layer of soil.