Exotic earthworm distribution in a mixed-use northern temperate forest region: influence of disturbance type, development age, and soils

Author: Sackett Tara E.   Smith Sandy M.   Basiliko Nathan  

Publisher: NRC Research Press

ISSN: 1208-6037

Source: Canadian Journal of Forest Research, Vol.42, Iss.2, 2012-02, pp. : 375-381

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Abstract

The impacts of invasive earthworms in northern North American forests include mixing of soil and litter horizons, changes to nutrient availability, and shifts in understory plant communities. Multi-use forests, with concomitant commercial logging and recreational activities, may have high rates of earthworm dispersal from human activities. Here, we investigated if soil physical and chemical properties, in addition to disturbance type, influence the success of earthworm establishment. We characterized the distribution of earthworms in a multi-use forested area in the Great Lakes St. Lawrence forest region of central Ontario and related earthworm presence and community structure to human influences (i.e., disturbance type, age of development) and edaphic properties. Although soil texture correlated significantly with Lumbricus populations, the influence of edaphic properties was small compared with disturbance type and history. Fishing and camp sites were dominated by Lumbricus, while gravelled roads had higher populations of epigeic earthworms. The spread of earthworms along gravelled roads may be due to regrading rather than transport in vehicle tires: earthworms were not present more than 200 m off trunk roads on nongravelled trails. Education campaigns to reduce dumping of earthworm bait and changes to road grading practices in multi-use forests could reduce the spread of earthworms.

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