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Think of earthworms and a few things come to mind: they make great bait for fishing, they aerate the soil, and they’re an excellent addition to a compost pile. But, what a lot of people don’t know is many earthworms are actually invasive species. Earthworms may be small but when they take over a forest, the impact is dramatic. They cause the rapid incorporation of organic material into the soil, changing its structure, chemistry and nutrient dynamics. What's known as the duff layer is suddenly removed, and this duff, or decaying organic material on the forest floor, is habitat for several species of insects, spiders, small vertebrates, bacteria and fungi. It is also the primary rooting zone for most plants.
(Source: DCMP)
Climb aboard the Cyclops, a microscopic research vessel, and investigate an amazing hidden world on which all living things depend. The Cyclops houses a team of scientists known as the Micronauts and guides them through their discoveries of biological classification, diversity, and ecology. In this episode, the Micronauts come face to face with earthworms. While exploring their burrows, the crew observes the anatomy of earthworms and develops theories about the role earthworms plays in maintaining terrestrial ecosystems. Part 12 of Microscopic Monsters Series.
Part of the "Branches on the Tree of Life" series. Worms with segmented bodies make up the phylum Annelida. Explores the three classes of annelids: Class Polychaeta (feeding, locomotion, and larval stages), Class Oligochaeta (lifestyles, feeding adaptations, and anatomy of freshwater oligochaetes and earthworms), and Class Hirudinea (leeches, crayfish, and worms show adaptations for commensal, parasitic, and scavenger lifestyles). DNA evidence places annelids close to the molluscs on the tree of life.
Explore efforts to decrease the use of pesticides by genetically engineering resistance in plants. Viewers also consider the debate over the benefits and risks of genetically modified organisms. Part of "The Botany of Desire" series.
Dr. Anna J. Phillips, Curator of Parasitic Worms and Protozoa at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History takes host Emily Graslie on a tour of the invertebrate zoology collection. Some of the specimens covered include earthworms, leeches, parasitic nematodes, bristle worms, velvet worms, and bobbit worms. Part of "The Brain Scoop" series.
Mining traditionally has destroyed vegetation and topsoil as it takes minerals from the ground. New techniques and increased environmental awareness has recently led to new land reclamation experiments. Adding earthworms and bacteria to restore the land is one such venture. Highlights bioremediation--using living organisms-- to clean up heavy metals left as mining residue.
