Death and Dying (Easy version)

Puffballs are the fruiting part of a fungus. Fungi are important decomposers

Worms are wriggly, slimy things, aren't they? Actually worms are very important animals. They help with the process called decomposition.

Decomposition happens when animals and plants die. Their bodies are broken down and eventually turned into soil. Decomposition is important because plants and animals are recycled back into the soil for other plants to use.

Sun, water, bacteria and mould help speed up decomposition. But worms are the best recyclers of all! Without worms, plants and animals that died would fall to the ground and never disappear. Think what it would be like with dead stuff piling up everywhere!

Worms eat dead things and then poop it out. This makes a rich fertiliser for other plants to use. There are a lot of worms in healthy soil. There are probably millions just in your garden. Each of these worms can eat a lot!

Worms also make tunnels that add air to the soil. This speeds up the rotting process.