Exotic Earthworms Impact Forests: Increase Awareness and Integrate Impacts into Forest Management Decisions
| Authors: | Tara L. Bal, Yvette L. Dickinson, Andrew J. Storer |
| Year: | 2023 |
| Type: | Proceedings - Paper |
| Station: | Northern Research Station |
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.2737/NRS-GTR-P-211-paper50 |
| Source: | In: Kern, Christel C.; Dickinson, Yvette L., eds. Proceedings of the first biennial Northern Hardwood Conference 2021: Bridging science and management for the future. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-211. Madison, WI: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 236–239. |
Abstract
The introduction of nonnative earthworm species into northern hardwood forests negatively affects overall forest health, vegetation dynamics, and soil biogeochemistry. Though they have a long introduction history in some urbanized areas, earthworms continue to invade new forested areas, with new species and additional biomass. Both understory regeneration and overstory canopy trees are negatively impacted by earthworm activity. These "ecosystem engineers" are creating novel systems by affecting both the biotic composition and environmental conditions in northern hardwoods. The condition of the forest floor can be quickly visually assessed during a site visit or timber cruise, but forest management plans rarely record earthworm presence/absence or consider their potential impacts. We argue that earthworms should be explicitly incorporated into hardwood forest management, highlight recommended best-management practices, and describe next steps to fill important research gaps.