friends beneath

Do you know our earth is a home for thousands of animals which most often cannot be seen by us?. In fact the remarkable diversity of animal life beneath our feet is as huge as the diversity of animals in the world in which we live in. Protozoa, mites, nematodes, worms, ants, maggots and many other insects which live underneath play an important role in our lives and help us in keeping our soil fit for the plants to grow.. We see earthworms, snails, centipetes, millipeds ants, snails, slugs, spiders, woodlice and many more animals living underneath and helping us. With out these little creatures doing their part of the work under the soil our earth would not have been such a wonderful place to live in.

How do they help us?

1. These creatures help in breaking down the dead plants and animals and turn them into humus which is excellent manure for new plants. All the activities of these animals help in stabilizing the soil and making it suitable for reuse by plants again and again.

2. Slugs, snails and many underground animals are a source of food for animals like birds, hedgehogs etc..

3. The mega fauna of the soil, Earthworms, as we all know, burrow through the soil and make it loose and airy. This allows easy penetration of water and roots in the soil well aerated soil allows food microbial activity which enhances the quality of the soil So isn’t it true to say ‘Earth worms are farmer’s friend’.

4. Beetles depend on plants and little creatures underground for their food. The wood and leaves of dead trees is food for beetles, woodlice and most animals living in the soil. Thus they help in decomposing the dead remains in the soil and make the soil rich in nutrients.

5. Spiders catch the insects and flies for food and help in controlling the insect population.

6. Centipedes eat other living creatures in the soil.

8. Millipedes which eat decaying things in the soil help in making nutritious soil for the plants to grow.

9. Nitrogen fixing bacteria help in fixing the nitrogen from the atmosphere and make the soil fertile for our crops to grow.

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References: Encarta encyclopedia

Images: public domain pictures free to use

credits:Page created by Arun


WELCOME TO THE MARVELLOUS WORLD OF UNDERGROUND ANIMALS Do you know our earth is a home for thousands of animals which most often cannot be seen by us?. In fact the remarkable diversity of animal life beneath our feet is as huge as the diversity of animals in the world in which we live in. Protozoa, mites, nematodes, worms, ants, maggots and many other insects which live underneath play an important role in our lives and help us in keeping our soil fit for the plants to grow.. We see earthworms, snails, centipetes, millipeds ants, snails, slugs, spiders, woodlice and many more animals living underneath and helping us. With out these little creatures doing their part of the work under the soil our earth would not have been such a wonderful place to live in. How do they help us? 1. These creatures help in breaking down the dead plants and animals and turn them into humus which is excellent manure for new plants. All the activities of these animals help in stabilizing the soil and making it suitable for reuse by plants again and again. 2. Slugs, snails and many underground animals are a source of food for animals like birds, hedgehogs etc.. 3. The mega fauna of the soil, Earthworms, as we all know, burrow through the soil and make it loose and airy. This allows easy penetration of water and roots in the soil well aerated soil allows food microbial activity which enhances the quality of the soil So isn’t it true to say ‘Earth worms are farmer’s friend’. 4. Beetles depend on plants and little creatures underground for their food. The wood and leaves of dead trees is food for beetles, woodlice and most animals living in the soil. Thus they help in decomposing the dead remains in the soil and make the soil rich in nutrients. 5. Spiders catch the insects and flies for food and help in controlling the insect population. 6. Centipedes eat other living creatures in the soil. 8. Millipedes which eat decaying things in the soil help in making nutritious soil for the plants to grow. 9. Nitrogen fixing bacteria help in fixing the nitrogen from the atmosphere and make the soil fertile for our crops to grow. BACK References: Encarta encyclopedia Images: public domain pictures free to use credits:Page created by Arun