Top 10 Important Facts About Earthworms for Secondary School Students
This work has been verified by our teacher: 16.01.2026 at 7:02
Type of homework: Essay Writing
Added: 16.01.2026 at 6:39
Summary:
Dżdżownice to pożyteczne bezkręgowce, które użyźniają glebę, poprawiają plony i wspierają ekosystemy – prawdziwi przyjaciele rolnika! 🪱🌱
10 Lines on Earthworm
Among the endless life forms that quietly sustain our planet, the humble earthworm stands out as a silent engineer of the soil. Though small and rarely noticed, earthworms play a decisive role in the ecology and agricultural practices of India and the world at large. Belonging to the phylum Annelida, earthworms are invertebrates—animals without backbones—whose lives knit inseparably into the health of the land. In Indian folk tradition, earthworms are often termed ‘kisan ke mitra’ (the farmer’s friends), a praise well-earned by their invaluable services underground.
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Description and Classification of Earthworms
Earthworms are soft-bodied, cylindrical creatures composed of ring-like segments, which can number anywhere from around 100 to over 150 depending on the species. Their body is moist and covered in a thin cuticle, giving them a glistening look when exposed. The size of earthworms can vary considerably: while most Indian species are 5–14 cm long, giants exceeding a metre can be found in moist, tropical regions of South India and the Western Ghats. The two main groups are the larger megadriles — which include most agricultural species like the Indian blue earthworm (Perionyx excavatus) — and microdriles, which are generally smaller and less frequently encountered in farm soils. Globally, scientists have documented over 4,000 species, attesting to the adaptability of earthworms across regions with sufficient moisture.---
Habitat and Distribution
One reason earthworms thrive almost everywhere is their adaptability to soil types and climates. In India, they flourish in agricultural fields, gardens, forests, and even high-altitude meadows, provided there is enough moisture and organic matter. They actively avoid desert regions and excessively wet or cold climates like the Himalayas’ snow-capped areas. Instead, the humid plains of Bengal, fertile fields of Punjab, and the black soils of Andhra Pradesh all provide prime habitats. Typically, earthworms live underground, burrowing through the soil to avoid predators and harsh sunlight—their skin must always remain moist for respiration, making high humidity essential for survival. Their presence in the ground forms intricate networks of tunnels, transforming even the most neglected patch of land into a thriving micro-ecosystem.---
Anatomy and Physiology
Unlike animals with complex organ systems, earthworms rely on a simple but effective physiological makeup. Each worm is a hermaphrodite—equipped with both male and female reproductive organs—but still seeks another worm to mate with, ensuring genetic variety. They respire through their skin rather than lungs or gills, absorbing oxygen from surrounding moisture. Circular and longitudinal muscles aid movement, while small bristles (setae) along each segment anchor the worm as it burrows. Instead of a single heart, earthworms possess several pairs of aortic arches—sometimes termed ‘hearts’—that pump blood through their closed circulatory system. Lacking eyes, earthworms detect vibrations and light through photosensitive cells. Their most fascinating ability is regeneration; many species can regrow lost segments if not too severely injured, a feature that often amazes biology students.---
Life Cycle and Reproduction
Reproduction in earthworms is an engaging process. On damp, cool nights — especially during monsoon months in India — earthworms come to the surface to mate. Despite hosting both sex organs, two worms align ventrally to exchange sperm, which is later used to fertilize eggs within a cocoon secreted by the clitellum (a thick, glandular segment). After a few weeks, young worms hatch and slowly mature over several months. Depending on environmental conditions and predation, an earthworm may live 2 to 8 years; on Indian farms, with plentiful nutrients and adequate shade, their numbers can explode rapidly after the rains, helping farmers by restoring soil rapidly for new crops.---
Earthworms as Soil Engineers
Earthworms’ industrious burrowing is what makes them so vital for agriculture and healthy plant growth. Their tunnels aerate the soil, letting water and oxygen seep deeper, nourishing far-reaching roots—an effect compared to the ploughing actions of a skilled farmer, but done naturally and constantly. Their feeding habits involve consuming dead leaves, decaying roots, and other organic debris, breaking it down into fine particles. Their castings, the nutrient-rich excrement left behind, enhance soil fertility—rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, the essential elements for crop growth. In India’s states like Kerala and Maharashtra, farmers collect these castings (‘vermicast’) for use as organic manure. Thus, earthworms not only recycle nutrients but also help combat soil erosion, preventing topsoil from washing away during monsoons.---
Ecological Significance and Benefits to Agriculture
Dubbed ‘nature’s plough’, the earthworm’s role in sustainable agriculture cannot be overstated. Where chemical fertilisers often damage soil life and structure, earthworms create a living, breathing medium for plants entirely through natural processes. The health and abundance of earthworms in a field is a key indicator of soil quality—a fact well-known among Indian organic farmers. Vermicomposting, an age-old technique now widely promoted by Krishi Vigyan Kendras and agricultural universities, relies on specific Indian earthworm species like Eisenia fetida and Perionyx excavatus to turn kitchen waste, crop residues, and cow dung into valuable compost. Additionally, earthworms are used as fish bait in inland aquafarming and, in some tribal cuisines, even as a protein source. The economic value they generate is thus substantial, looping them firmly into India’s rural economies.---
Threats and Conservation
In recent years, earthworm populations have faced threats from excessive pesticide and chemical fertiliser use, which poison these sensitive invertebrates and destroy soil structure. Deforestation, urban expansion, and indiscriminate ploughing further reduce their habitat. Various birds (mynahs, crows), snakes, frogs, and small mammals prey upon earthworms, though predation is part of natural balance. However, intensified agriculture often tips that balance, making conservation efforts essential. Promoting organic farming, reducing agrochemical inputs, and spreading awareness about the value of earthworms are crucial. School textbooks in India have begun including chapters on these living soil-makers, reflecting a positive shift towards ecological literacy.---
Interesting Facts and Adaptations
Earthworms come in an array of colours—common Indian species display rich reddish-brown bodies, though some are pink or even grey. They can endure periods of drought by burrowing deep and entering a dormant state (aestivation), and some have been observed to survive months without food. Particularly large Indian earthworms can turn over several kilograms of soil per year, pulling subsoil to the surface and mixing it with organic matter. Movement speed varies, with larger worms (like Drawida sp. in the southern states) moving more slowly but digging deeper than their smaller cousins. Fossils suggest that earthworms have played this ecological role since well before the rise of humans, perhaps for over 300 million years—a legacy both ancient and ongoing.---
Conclusion
Reflecting on the critical role earthworms play invites a new appreciation for these modest animals. As engineers of the underworld, they keep soil fertile, ensure healthy harvests, and quietly shape the fate of Indian agriculture. Without them, crop yields would falter, natural cycles would stall, and the balance of life above ground would unravel. Recognising their contributions and spreading ecological awareness is not just wise but essential for India’s future. Let us remember: every earthworm that toils unseen is a silent pillar in the temple of life—respecting them is respecting our land, our food, and our future.---
In summary, earthworms are vital to India’s agricultural and ecological tapestry. Their work beneath our feet should inspire curiosity, gratitude, and thoughtful stewardship for generations to come.
Sample questions
The answers have been prepared by our teacher
What are the top 10 important facts about earthworms for secondary school students?
Earthworms are soil engineers, improve fertility through castings, aid drainage, are hermaphrodites, have segmented bodies, respire through skin, help vermicomposting, thrive in moist soils, influence agriculture, and face threats from chemicals.
How do earthworms benefit agriculture according to the top 10 important facts?
Earthworms naturally aerate soil, improve fertility with nutrient-rich castings, enhance crop yields, and are key to organic farming success in India.
What is the role of earthworms in vermicomposting as per top 10 important facts?
Earthworms break down kitchen waste and organic matter into valuable compost, promoting vermicomposting and sustainable agriculture, especially in Indian farms.
Which threats to earthworms are highlighted in the top 10 important facts for secondary school students?
Major threats include pesticide use, chemical fertilisers, habitat loss from deforestation, and over-ploughing, leading to declining earthworm populations.
Can you summarize earthworm anatomy as described in the top 10 important facts?
Earthworms have soft, segmented bodies, no backbone, respire through moist skin, possess both male and female organs, and pump blood with multiple aortic arches.
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