Earthworms are shifting their ranges northwards into forests between 45° and 69° latitude in North America that have lacked native earthworms since the last ice age. [3] .

Sep 1, 2021 · Forests that have been earthworm-free for thousands of years instead rely on native invertebrates to slowly break down leaf layers. But earthworms break down that leaf …

Apr 6, 2022 · They munch on fallen leaves and other vegetation and release nutrients into the soil. But worms from other lands are taking over forests in parts of the U.S. and Canada.

Jan 2, 2020 · Unlike their European counterparts which burrow deep beneath the forest floor, jumping worms stay on the surface, rapidly consuming leaf litter and turning the once cohesive mass of soil into tiny crumbles that easily erode.

Apr 22, 2022 · Across the eastern U.S., Asian jumping worms are eating part of the forest ecosystem – the top layer of the soil. By affecting the soil, the worms are affecting many other species of plants and animals.

Aug 29, 2021 · As earthworms silently devour leaf litter across the country, they are changing soils, restructuring ecosystems and depleting our forests' carbon stocks. North America's forests have been...

Mar 1, 2009 · As invasive creatures, the earth­worms wreak the most havoc with hardwood forests, such as those consisting of maple, basswood, red oak, poplar or birch species.

But hardwood forests in the Great Lakes region developed for thousands of years since glacial retreat without any earthworms. The natural processes in these earthworm-free forests usually keep the soil loose and uncompacted. Hardwood trees …

Jun 13, 2021 · Crazy worms — an invasive species from Asia — pose a threat to forests, scientists say. The worms can thrash around so violently that they can jump out of a person's hand. They also lose their...

The duff layer can be up to 10 cm (4 or 5 inches) thick in very rich sites dominated by sugar maple and basswood trees. Dozens of understory plant species are native residents of the forest floor including the much loved Trilliums and other spring flowers.