Ocean FM - Weekly Tips 32 - Worms & Soil

Did you know?

There has only ever been one scientific study made of earthworms in Ireland
Earthworms are hermaphrodite – neither male or female – but two earthworms are required in order to reproduce
There are 27 different types of earthworm in our soils
If you smell your soil, it will tell you a lot about how healthy it is – a sweeter smell means more bacteria, but a more earthy smell indicates more carbon and beneficial fungus
Every spoonful of soil is full of different kinds of microscopic life – bacteria, fungus, nematodes, protozoa and these can be seen clearly through a microscope
The more microorganisms there are in your soil, the productive it will be

Why is this important?

Earthworms are known as ecosystem engineers and help our soils maintain the structure that makes them productive. They breathe through their skin and they need the air and moisture that is retained in healthy soils to be able to breathe. Without these two elements, they cannot maintain our soils
Worms squeeze organic matter through their oesophagus, extracting microscopic organisms as food, the remainder of these rich microbes are available to all other forms of life growing in the soil
Tree roots communicate with fungi in the soil and stimulate them to grow – planting more trees increases the beneficial microorganisms and the quality of soil
Soils have huge potential to store carbon – but they will absorb much more if there are trees planted as the roots of the trees pass carbon to the mycelial web formed by the fungus. as the web grows it absorbs and stores large amounts of carbon without releasing it
Micro-organisms also break down organic matter and make the nutrients in them available for plants – this is essential to our food system
Beneficial fungus help to maintain soils in balance by ensuring the correct PH. They have alkaline material on their bodies, so if present in sufficient numbers they eliminate the need for artificial lime used to open up compacted soils

What can I do?

Try not to cover the soil with concrete or tarmac, as they cannot breathe – leave natural and grassy areas where you can
If you have room, plant a tree. Just make sure that it is suitable to the area you have chosen and try to plant a native tree where possible
Grow clover in your grass – it will help to fix nitrogen in the soil and improve the soil structure for microorganisms
Grow your own vegetables where you can and try not to use artificial fertilisers
Avoid pesticides and artificial fertilisers as these work against the microscopic life in the soil

For More Information

Irish Earthworms

https://maps.biodiversityireland.ie/Dataset/215

Study on Earthworms Vs Fertilisers

Environmental Protection Agency

Healthy Organic Soils for Crops