Forest Ecology and Worms: Microscopic Animals
In addition to the larger and more obvious animals like deer and bear, there are hundreds, thousands, perhaps millions, of microscopic animals like protozoa, nematodes, flatworms, enchytraeids and water bears (a tiny animal living in the water film found on the surface of leaves, mosses, and leaf litter - phyllum Tardigrada).
Water Bear.
Image created by Rick Gillis and Roger J. Haro Department of Biology University of Wisconsin - La Crosse. |
Research has shown that earthworms can cause changes in the abundance, composition and activity of a whole range of these microscopic organisms through both directs effects of removing the forest floor and mixing it into the upper soil horizons and through indirect effects like changes in nutrient availability.
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