The humble earthworm: memento moriextraordinaire:"Remember that thou shalt die." The Conqueror Worm, devourer of prince and peasant. Metaphor for the frailty of the flesh, subverter of monuments, leveler of empires. Emblem of the vanity, the evanescence, and the end of all human endeavour. And yet, paradoxically, this earthworm, this great destroyer, is also a great builder- a builder of fertile topsoil, itself the sustainer of all civilization.
Only where you find earthworms will you find rich, healthy soil with high amounts of organic matter and vice versa.
Earthworms simply cannot proliferate and flourish in areas where chemical fertilizers and pesticides are paramount.
Earthworms, actually, act as a barometer for soil health.
Many agriculture oriented people still do not understand or appreciate the tremendous enriching value that earthworms have on our soils.
To learn more about this paradoxical critter, follow the links below. We have included several newsletter and review articles, profiles of eight key species of earthworm, images, and links to other web sites with information about earthworms.
Articles
