Worm Research Studies around the Nation
Distribution and Invasion Patterns
Changes In Hardwood Forest Understory Plant Communities In Response To European Earthworm Invasions
In the first 2 years of this study, the advancing leading edge of earthworm invasion moved about 10 meters into the forest and the associated changes in the forest are both numerous and dramatic. Total plant cover decreased from near 100% to less than 25%. The earthworm population increased nearly four fold across the advancing leading edge of invasion. Location: Chippewa National Forest, MN. Lead Researcher: Cindy Hale, Ph.D., Natural Resources Research Institute.
Patterns of earthworm invasion and understory plant composition in lakeside northern hardwood forests.
This study surveyed understory plant communities, earthworms, soils, and tree composition in 314 plots located in 40 mature hardwood stands in the Chippewa and Chequamegon National Forests (Minnesota and Wisconsin, respectively). Stands were comparable in overstory composition, biomass, geology, and management history. In both regions the study found a correlation between the presence of exotic earthworms and the presence of cabins, resorts, boat landings, roads, and campsites. The results further support other studies showing that exotic earthworms significantly alter the structure and composition of northern hardwood forest understory plant communities and that the invasion is in an advanced but incomplete stage. Location: Chippewa & Chequamegon National Forests Lead Researcher: Andy Holdsworth, MN Department of Natural Resources Preliminary research results
Susceptibility of a Northern Hardwood Forest to Exotic Earthworm Invasion
This study sought to identify land-use factors in the Ottawa National Forest (ONF), Michigan (U.S.A.), that contribute to earthworm invasion in forest dominated by sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) so that the susceptibility to additional colonization could be evaluated. The study sampled earthworm communities in Sylvania Wilderness Area, a unique old-growth hardwood forest, and nonwilderness sites influenced by recreational fishing, recent timber harvesting, or roads. All the nonwilderness sites contained one to five species of exotic earthworms. In contrast, only 50% of wilderness sites contained exotic earthworms, all of a single species. Location: Chippewa & Chequamegon & Nicollette National Forests Michael Gundale, University of Montana - School of Forestry
Earthworms on Long Island
The purpose of this project was to determine what species of earthworms are
present on Long Island, where these species are located, and what type of environment
they seem to prefer. Location: Long Island, New York Lead Researchers: Lara Pomi & Marilyn Jordon, Stony Brook University Full text - pdf
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