bioturbation

Bioturbation is the process where burrowing or movement of organisms, like worms, crustaceans, or other animals, disturb and mix the soil or sediment. This activity redistributes particles, oxygen, and nutrients within the ground, affecting its structure and chemistry. Bioturbation plays a vital role in ecosystems by enhancing soil fertility, influencing the habitat for other organisms, and impacting the movement of energy and matter through the environment. Essentially, it’s nature’s way of remixing the earth, driven by the activities of living creatures beneath the surface.