An earthworm tunnel floods during a rainstorm, and the earthworm washes out onto the grass. According to Ch.27, what is the importance of the moisture from the tunnel to the earthworm?
The moisture pertains to its survival due to its respiratory surface. Such that too much water and the earthworm could die and too little water and the earthworm could dry up and die. Keeping their skin moist allows them to respire.
Earthworms are important as they plow the soil by tunneling through it, which provides the soil with passageways through which air and water can circulate.
The activity of the earthworms depends directly on soil moisture and temperature. They become active when soil thaws in the spring and move deeper in late summer as the soil dries.
