Earthworms live in soil, mulch, and under rocks, mainly in wetter, more vegetative areas, as they depend on keeping their skin moist. Earthworms are hermaphrodites, which means they are bisexual. Their diet includes plant parts, fungal hyphae and bacteria.
Earthworms are important to ecosystems as decomposers of plant material. An important function is improving the transport of nutrients and water between soil layers while stimulating the microflora that contributes to soil improvement. They can also counteract acidification.
Most earthworms live in soil, but all worms can survive in water for a while. However, the land-adapted earthworms will sooner or later drown. Therefore, when it rains, the earthworms crawl out of the ground as the tunnels fill with water.
Key functions
● Decomposers
● Creating cycles underground
● Improves soil quality
● Food for other animals
Threat
● Intensive farming
Common species
Of about 2,000 terrestrial earthworm species, approximately 30 occur in Sweden [2, 4]. The most common species in Sweden is the square-tailed worm, and the most common in England is the lob worm or common earthworm.
Some species you can discover in nature:
● Square-tailed Worm
Naturspot – Square-tailed worm – eiseniella-tetraedra 
● Common Earthworm
Buglife – common earthworm – lob worm – Lumbricus terrestris
● Grey Worm
INaturalist – grey worm – Aporrectodea caliginosa
● Red Earthworm (European Earth Worm)
EOL – Red Earthworm – Lumbricus rubellus
Sources
Science Nordic – Underground animal world crucial for life above ground
Inaturalist – Earthworms – Lumbricidae
Soil Association – Why are worms important?
June 2023, TÄNKOM | Revised January 2024 RETHINK
