This action, in conjunction with the natural water holding capacity of organic material helps the soil to absorb and adsorb more water. This action acts as a buffer against drought by helping the soil hold water and aiding it in holding the moisture longer. Worms have additional values in that they make the nutrients in organic matter more available. Earthworm activated humus is also higher in unknown growth factors, believed to be plant growth hormones such as cytokinnins, giberillins and auxins. These UGFs can stimulate plants to have elongated cells, more shoots, and greater root mass compared to control soils or composts not activated by worms.
Worms also serve as an important feed source to a variety of birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish.
These worms flee to the surface and often become food for a variety of vertebrates. In the humusphere, the vitality and health of the topsoil is directly related to the organic matter percentage. There is a direct ratio of worm populations proportional to the organic matter content in a soil. The lower the organic matter percentage, the fewer worms per acre. The fewer worms per acre, the carrying capacity of the soil to support plants and animals in the biosphere is decreased.