Earthworms accelerate rice straw decomposition and maintenance of soil organic carbon dynamics in rice agroecosystems.

The primary decomposition of exogenous rice residues was mainly performed by earthworms. Over a short period of time, they converted plant carbon into soil carbon and increased SOC. The earthworms played a key role in carbon conversion and stabilization. In the absence of exogenous residues, earthworm activity accelerated the decomposition of original organic carbon in the soil, reduced SOC, and promoted carbon mineralization.