Does forest soil liming increase the potential for earthworm invasion? Field and experimental results from the Adirondacks, New York.

摘要

Acidic deposition has resulted in acidification and leaching of soil calcium from forest soils in the Adirondacks, NY. To promote soil recovery, the application of lime may be an effective restoration strategy. However, liming may create more suitable habitat for invasive earthworms that cause significant damage to forest ecosystems. The objectives of the study were to 1) experimentally determine the effect of soil liming on Lumbricus terrestris survivorship in a heavily acidified forest catchment and 2) assess earthworm abundance along soil pH and calcium gradients in Adirondack hardwood forests. Soil lime treatments increased survival and biomass of L. terrestris, likely via increases in soil pH and calcium, and reductions in aluminum. In the field, invasive earthworms were only observed in soils with pH > 3.6. Overall these results suggest that soil acidity constrains earthworm invasions in the Adirondacks, NY, and that moderate liming may increase the invasion risk of forests.