Modelling interacting effects of invasive earthworms and wildfire on forest floor carbon storage in the boreal forest

Cameron, Erin K.; Shaw, Cindy; Bayne, Erin M.; Kurz, Werner A.; Kull, Stephen

doi:10.1016/j.soilbio.2015.05.020

Cited by 24 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 48 publications

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“…Earthworm invasions can also interact with changes in fire frequency to affect C storage, such that increases in fire frequency have a stronger effect on long‐term C storage in the forest floor when earthworms are present (Cameron et al . ). Furthermore, earthworms may alter wind disturbance effects, as dieback favors smaller trees with thinner crowns that are likely to be more resistant to strong winds.…”

Section: Macrocascade Effects Of Earthworm Invasions Of Concern To Somentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Therefore, despite causing dieback of maple trees, invasive earthworms are one of several factors driving conversion of fire-dependent oak (Quercus spp) forests to maple (ie mesophication) in the North Central US (Frelich et al 2017). In boreal forests, simulation modeling indicates that the amount of C lost from the forest floor is higher when earthworms and fire co-occur than with either disturbance in isolation (Cameron et al 2015). Earthworm invasions can also interact with changes in fire frequency to affect C storage, such that increases in fire frequency have a stronger effect on long-term C storage in the forest floor when earthworms are present (Cameron et al 2015).…”

Section: Disturbance Regimesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In boreal forests, simulation modeling indicates that the amount of C lost from the forest floor is higher when earthworms and fire co-occur than with either disturbance in isolation (Cameron et al 2015). Earthworm invasions can also interact with changes in fire frequency to affect C storage, such that increases in fire frequency have a stronger effect on long-term C storage in the forest floor when earthworms are present (Cameron et al 2015). Furthermore, earthworms may alter wind disturbance effects, as dieback favors smaller trees with thinner crowns that are likely to be more resistant to strong winds.…”

Section: Disturbance Regimesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Side‐swiped: ecological cascades emanating from earthworm invasions

Frelich

Blossey

Cameron

et al. 2019

Frontiers in Ecol & Environ

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Non‐native, invasive earthworms are altering soils throughout the world. Ecological cascades emanating from these invasions stem from rapid consumption of leaf litter by earthworms. This occurs at a midpoint in the trophic pyramid, unlike the more familiar bottom‐up or top‐down cascades. These cascades cause fundamental changes (“microcascade effects”) in soil morphology, bulk density, and nutrient leaching, and a shift to warmer, drier soil surfaces with a loss of leaf litter. In North American temperate and boreal forests, microcascade effects can affect carbon sequestration, disturbance regimes, soil and water quality, forest productivity, plant communities, and wildlife habitat, and can facilitate other invasive species. These broader‐scale changes (“macrocascade effects”) are of greater concern to society. Interactions among these fundamental changes and broader‐scale effects create “cascade complexes” that interact with climate change and other environmental processes. The diversity of cascade effects, combined with the vast area invaded by earthworms, leads to regionally important changes in ecological functioning.

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Section: Macrocascade Effects Of Earthworm Invasions Of Concern To Somentioning

confidence: 97%

Section: Disturbance Regimesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Disturbance Regimesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Side‐swiped: ecological cascades emanating from earthworm invasions

Frelich

Blossey

Cameron

et al. 2019

Frontiers in Ecol & Environ

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“…3. Effects of non-native earthworms on forest C budget and GHG emissions: the effects of earthworms on the C release from forest soil and vegetation depend on changes in the community composition and activity of invading earthworms (Cameron et al 2015;Fugère et al 2017).…”

Section: Ecosystem Condition and Productivitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Atmospheric change as a driver of change in the Canadian boreal zone¹

et al. 2019

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Global anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases and hazardous air pollutants have produced broad yet regionally disparate changes in climatic conditions and pollutant deposition in the Canadian boreal zone (the boreal). Adapting boreal resource management to atmospheric change requires a holistic understanding and awareness of the ongoing and future responses of terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems in this vast, heterogeneous landscape. To integrate existing knowledge of and generate new insights from the broad-scale impacts of atmospheric change, we first describe historical and present trends (∼1980–2015) in temperature, precipitation, deposition of hazardous air pollutants, and atmospheric-mediated natural disturbance regimes in this region. We then examine their associations with ecosystem condition and productivity, biological diversity, soil and water, and the carbon budget. These associations vary considerably among ecozones and likely undergo further changes under the emerging risks of atmospheric change. We highlight the urgent need to establish long-term, boreal-wide monitoring for many key components of freshwater ecosystems to better understand and project the influences of atmospheric change on boreal water resources. We also formulate three divergent future scenarios of boreal ecosystems in 2050. Our scenario analysis reveals multiple undesirable changes in boreal ecosystem structure and functioning with more variable atmospheric conditions and frequent land disturbances, while continuing business-as-usual management of natural resources. It is possible, though challenging, to reduce unwanted consequences to ecosystems through management regimes focussed on socio-ecological sustainability and developing resilient infrastructure and adaptive resource-management strategies. We emphasize the need for proactive actions and improved foresight for all sectors of society to collaborate, innovate, and invest in anticipation of impending global atmospheric change, without which the boreal zone will face a dim future.

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“…Changes in nutrient cycling, which vary by type of earthworm, can also affect plant establishment. Epigeic, or top soil worms, cause C and N transport and losses into soil A-horizons, possibly turning northern forests from C sinks into C sources, thus contributing to global warming (Bohlen et al 2004, Cameron et al 2015). Endogeic worms tend to mix mineral and organic soil layers.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Earthworms (Oligochaeta: Lumbricidae) of Interior Alaska

Booysen¹,

Sikes²,

Bowser³

et al. 2018

BDJ

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Earthworms in the family Lumbricidae in Alaska, which are known from coastal regions, primarily in south-central and south-eastern Alaska, are thought to be entirely non-native and have been shown to negatively impact previously earthworm-free ecosystems in study regions outside of Alaska. Despite occasional collections by curious citizens, there had not been a standardised earthworm survey performed in Interior Alaska and no published records exist of earthworms species from this region. Mustard extraction was used to sample six locations that differed in elevation, mostly in the College region of Fairbanks, Alaska. Two of the six locations yielded earthworms. There was no relationship between earthworm abundance and elevation (p = 0.087), although our sample size was small. Our sampling, combined with specimens in the University of Alaska Museum, has documented four exotic species and one presumed native species of lumbricid earthworms in Interior Alaska.

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Modelling interacting effects of invasive earthworms and wildfire on forest floor carbon storage in the boreal forest

Cited by 24 publications

References 48 publications

Side‐swiped: ecological cascades emanating from earthworm invasions

Side‐swiped: ecological cascades emanating from earthworm invasions

Atmospheric change as a driver of change in the Canadian boreal zone¹

Earthworms (Oligochaeta: Lumbricidae) of Interior Alaska

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Modelling interacting effects of invasive earthworms and wildfire on forest floor carbon storage in the boreal forest

Cited by 24 publications

References 48 publications

Side‐swiped: ecological cascades emanating from earthworm invasions

Side‐swiped: ecological cascades emanating from earthworm invasions

Atmospheric change as a driver of change in the Canadian boreal zone1

Earthworms (Oligochaeta: Lumbricidae) of Interior Alaska

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Product

Resources

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Atmospheric change as a driver of change in the Canadian boreal zone¹