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CREEPY CRAWLIES ARE COOL!
Posted by REALLY RUBBISH on Thursday 22 Sep at 12:55
Who would have thought that tiny creepy crawlies such as woodlice, worms and millipedes play a hugely important part in maintaining the fragile ecosystems of woodlands and forests? A Welsh scientist based at Cardiff University has discovered that this is just what they do - by eating the right fungus at the right time! Different species of fungus compete for space in a forest, and the tougher types would usually win the day and just take over.
They hadn't bargained for these woodland creatures though, who feed on the dominant fungi only and as a result help the weaker types to thrive and grow as well. Explaining why it is so important for forests to have a number of different types of fungi, Tom Crowther of Cardiff University - the person who made this exciting discovery - says: "Fungi are responsible for maintaining soil quality and fertility, allowing native trees and plants to grow, and the woodland itself to function.” This wouldn't happen if only the dominant species of fungi existed. Will you look at creepy crawlies differently now?
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