Soil Acidity and Earthworms
As they tunnel through the ground, earthworms help create a chemical balance in the soil. Similar to most garden plants, they prefer an even blend of acidity and alkalinity.Their tolerance of a broader range of acid than alkaline soils has become a problem for forests, however. Does this Spark an idea?
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pH Range
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A pH test is used to measure the chemical balance of soils, with numbers below 7 indicating acidity. Earthworms prefer a pH as close to the neutral level of 7 as possible. However, Texas A & M University says they can survive a range from 4.2 to 8. This indicates less adaptability to alkaline soils, which have pH measurements above 7.
Effect on Acidity
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Earthworms neutralize the acidity of soil, according to the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality. As they consume soil and organic matter, they excrete a fertilizer-like material that is referred to as castings or vermicompost, which has a pH of 7. The more castings earthworms produce, the closer soil pH comes to 7.
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Forests
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Earthworms are great for improving garden and agricultural soil. Yet, they are problematic in deciduous forests where acid soil is necessary, according to environmental educator Dennis Burton. In an article published by the West Virginia Native Plant Society, Burton says that due to an evolution different from that of agricultural lands, hardwood forests do not benefit from earthworms. These forests rely on the organic litter on top of their soil for needs including slow release of nutrients. Nevertheless, forest mulch disappears quickly, as does acidity, when hungry earthworms arrive.
Considerations
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Burton notes that forest ecologists recommend against anglers discarding leftover earthworms in forested areas. But, if it is necessary, place them in rivers and lakes rather than soil.
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References
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