Dissemin is shutting down on January 1st, 2025

Published in

Canadian Science Publishing, Canadian Journal of Zoology, 12(89), p. 1223-1230, 2011

DOI: 10.1139/z11-102

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An experimental test of facilitation between non-native earthworms

Journal article published in 2011 by Erin K. Cameron, Erin M. Bayne ORCID
This paper was not found in any repository, but could be made available legally by the author.
This paper was not found in any repository, but could be made available legally by the author.

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Abstract

Invasional meltdowns, in which facilitation between species causes an accelerating increase in the number of introduced species or impacts, can cause large impacts in invaded systems. Earthworm invasion of northern forests has been suggested as a meltdown, with litter-dwelling species altering soil structure and facilitating mineral-soil or deep-burrowing earthworms that may be less capable of invading intact forest floors. We examined facilitation and synergistic effects of a litter-dwelling species ( Dendrobaena octaedra Savigny, 1826) and a deep-burrowing species ( Lumbricus terrestris L., 1758). Boreal forest soil cores were inoculated with D. octaedra, L. terrestris, both species, a higher density of L. terrestris, or no worms. After 4.5 months, we found no differences in survival or biomass between treatments for either species. Cocoon production did not differ for L. terrestris, but D. octaedra produced significantly fewer cocoons with L. terrestris. The two species had an additive effect on organic horizon depths and bulk densities. Thus, they did not appear to facilitate each other or have synergistic effects as would be predicted in an invasional meltdown.