As a gardener, you have probably encountered worms while digging in the soil or turning over a compost pile. Most of us simply call them "earthworms" and assume they all do the same job. In reality, the worm world beneath our feet is far more complex.

Worms occupy different layers of the soil and each group plays a different role in the ecosystem. Understanding these differences is important for gardeners and composters because not every worm is suited for every job.

In soil ecology, earthworms are generally divided into three groups based on where they live and how they behave: epigeic, endogeic, and anecic worms.

Epigeic Worms – The Surface Dwellers

Epigeic worms live at or near the surface of the soil. They prefer environments rich in organic material such as leaf litter, manure piles, and compost. These worms rarely burrow deeply into mineral soil and instead thrive in...