Earthworms might not be the flashiest creatures in your garden, but they’re among the most important. So when a new nationwide study found that key types of earthworms were rare or completely absent in two out of five English fields, it raised serious questions about the long-term health of our soil—and the way we farm it.
The good news? Most farmers involved in the study are already planning to do things differently.
What the Study Found
The project, called #60minworms, was the first large-scale citizen science survey of its kind. Rather than being conducted in a lab, this was a hands-on study by farmers, for farmers—and its findings were eye-opening.
- 42% of fields had poor biodiversity in earthworm types
- 16% had no deep-burrowing worms at all
- On average, there were 9 worms per spadeful of soil, with some top-performing fields reaching over 16
Why does this matter? Because not all earthworms do the same job.
Not All Worms Are Created Equal
Biologists categorise earthworms into three key types:
- Surface dwellers – Feed on leaf litter and help break down organic matter
- Topsoil worms – Live in the upper layers of soil and mix it up
- Deep burrowers (or drainage worms) – Create vertical tunnels that help water drain into the ground
The last group are especially valuable on farmland, helping prevent waterlogging and supporting healthy root growth. But they also reproduce slowly—meaning it could take a decade or more for their populations to bounce back if damaged.
A Wake-Up Call for Farmers
The study, led by Dr Jackie Stroud of Rothamsted Research, showed just how sensitive earthworms are to farming practices like:
- Repeated tilling and ploughing
- Lack of crop rotation
- Limited organic matter
- Pesticide use
Encouragingly, 57% of participating farmers said they would now change how they manage their soil as a result of taking part.
They also helped redesign the survey process to make it more accessible and quicker to carry out—leading to even more farmers digging soil pits and checking their worm numbers the following year.
Why It Matters (Even If You’re Not a Farmer)
Earthworms are vital for more than just farming. Their tunnelling and nutrient recycling help with:
- Carbon storage
- Flood prevention
- Healthy crop yields
- Support for birds like the song thrush
- Cleaner water and better soil structure
As Dr Stroud puts it:
“Decisions made above the ground—by farmers, gardeners or policymakers—impact the billions of earthworms below, who are engineering the soil we all rely on.”
What Happens Next?
With soil health still not a central priority in DEFRA’s long-term environmental plans, many campaigners and scientists are calling for more recognition of the role healthy soil—and the earthworms in it—play in our future.
Meanwhile, many farmers across England are taking matters into their own hands by:
- Reducing tillage
- Adding more organic matter
- Rotating crops
- Planting cover crops
- Monitoring worm populations regularly
It’s a strong reminder that soil health isn’t just about what we grow—it’s about how we grow it.
What Can You Do in Your Own Garden?
Even if you’re not managing acres of farmland, you can still help earthworms thrive:
- Avoid digging and tilling unnecessarily
- Leave autumn leaves to break down naturally
- Add well-rotted compost and organic matter
- Limit chemical fertilisers and pesticides
- Keep your soil covered when you can
Whether you’re growing veg, nurturing borders or just trying to get the lawn looking better, looking after your soil life is one of the best things you can do.
This story is based on an article by Rothamsted Research for https://phys.org
