scispace - formally typeset
Search or ask a question

Showing papers on "Undergrowth published in 2012"


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Diversity and composition of the intertidal brachyuran crab community in the Segara Anakan Lagoon, Java, Indonesia, during the dry season of 2005 and the rainy season of 2006 shows that crab community composition and structure alone appeared to be poor indicators for the state of a forest in terms of tree diversity and wood-cutting intensity.
Abstract: Diversity and composition of the intertidal brachyuran crab community in the Segara Anakan Lagoon (SAL), Java, Indonesia, during the dry season of 2005 and the rainy season of 2006, shows that crab community composition and structure alone appeared to be poor indicators for the state of a forest in terms of tree diversity and wood-cutting intensity. The lagoon is surrounded by the largest mangrove stand in Java and is under constant anthropogenic pressure, mainly due to logging, land conversion for agriculture, overfishing and industrial pollution. This study aims to determine the crab community composition at different sites of the lagoon in relation to vegetation composition and sediment parameters. In addition it investigates if mangrove crabs can be used as bioindicators to describe the environmental state of mangrove forests (tree diversity, degree of logging). It was assumed to find a low crab diversity and species richness and a strong dominance of a single species at highly disturbed forest sites compared to moderately disturbed sites. A stratified, hierarchical design was used to sample the crab fauna at 13 stations distributed over the entire lagoon. Additionally, abiotic parameters and vegetation composition were recorded. In total 6463 crabs were caught belonging to 49 species, 5 superfamilies and 10 families, with Ocypodidae and Sesarmidae being the families of most note. Mean density of adult crabs was 27.7 individuals*m −2 and mean biomass was 12.8 g wet mass*m −2 or 1.3 g ash free dry mass*m −2 . Density and biomass varied strongly within and between stations but they where within the range reported for other mangrove forests of the Indo-West-Pacific. Species composition was significantly different between stations. The distribution of facultatively leaf-feeding grapsid crabs was related to vegetation parameters (tree, seedling and undergrowth density), but the occurrence of single crab and tree species was not correlated. The distribution of ocypodid crabs, feeding on detritus and microphytobenthos, correlated with sediment characteristics like median grain size and organic content. The crab community was strongly dominated by one species at six stations, however, this was not correlated to the degree of logging. Leaf-feeding crab and mangrove tree diversity was correlated at areas of one hectare (stations), but not at a lower spatial scale (areas of 100 m 2 , “zone”). Species richness of leaf-feeding crabs was not linked to forest diversity. Hence a functional relation between leaf-feeding crab and tree species diversity could not be proven.

39 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the use of common undergrowth for the manufacture of pellets and briquettes will allow the undergrowth to be considered not as a problem to be removed from the forest but an opportunity as renewable energy.
Abstract: Many European countries are developing the use of pellets or wood briquettes for the supplying of local energy. Many industries are being forced to replace fossil fuels with biomass because of its neutrality in relation to CO2 emissions, thus creating an interesting market for pellets. In Portugal, the most common undergrowth includes: esteva (Cistus ladanifer), tojo (Ulex europaeus), giesta (Sarothamus scoparius), feto (Pteridium aquilium) and silva (Rubus ulmifolius). These undergrowth specimen are attractive due to the large volume available, but are not usually used for making pellets. It is possible to prevent large fires cleaning the forests, but this is an expensive task that could be compensated if the undergrowth can have some commercial value. The use of the common undergrowth for the manufacture of pellets and briquettes will allow the undergrowth to be considered not as a problem to be removed from the forest but an opportunity as renewable energy. The aim of this work is to obtain pellets with standard properties and evaluate the parameters that can qualify the performance of these pellets: moisture content, particle size distribution, high heating value, height of flame and burning time, pressure and temperature of the pelletizing process and mechanical durability. The pelletizing process was first simulated on laboratorial scale using small amounts of each vegetal specimen which was pressed in a heated mould. Some samples were submitted to a torrefaction treatment. After the laboratorial screening, the selected material was processed using a pellet mill to prepare pellets with 6 mm of diameter. The durability test was performed using a tumbling device following the ASAE S 269.4 standard. Burning tests of pellets with the same weight were performed and video images analysed, where height of flame and ignition time were measured. It was found that undergrowth pellets had good power of agglomeration and allow an easy ignition. The apparent density varies around 1,260 kg/m3. The moisture content of different pellet varied between 2.79 and 7.46 %, ash content was less than 3 %, the calorific value is between 16 and 18 kJ/kg, the durability results respect the values recommended by standards. After ignition the flame increases to an average height of 25 mm. The total burning time was in all cases dominated by the cinder combustion without visible flame and the total complete burning time varied between 400 and 600 s. The results showed that it is possible to produce pellets of undergrowth with physical and thermochemical characteristics similar to the existing in the market at the present time.

26 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
01 Jan 2012
TL;DR: Manganese was accumulated from the soil environment, especially by the species Betula pendula, Fagus sylvatica, Sorbus aucuparia, Larix decidua, Vaccinium myrtilus, Rubus ideus,Rubus fruticosus and Digitalis purpurea, where the content of manganese in leaves exceeded 5000 mg kg-1.
Abstract: Kula, E., Hrdlicka, P., Hedbavný, J., Svec, P. 2012: Differentiated content of manganese in selected forest trees and plants in the undergrowth. – Beskydy, 5 (1): 19–26 The content of manganese in foliage and other parts of trees and undergrowth plants were monitored in the site with heavy level of manganese in soil. The difference between the species and also between parts of the same plant was confirmed. Manganese was accumulated from the soil environment, especially by the species Betula pendula, Fagus sylvatica, Sorbus aucuparia, Larix decidua, Vaccinium myrtilus, Rubus ideus, Rubus fruticosus and Digitalis purpurea, where the content of manganese in leaves exceeded 5000 mg kg-1.

18 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, small-mammal communities were monitored over 4 years in South Moravian rural lowland forests in order to study relationships with various forest habitat types, and two basic small-Mammal community groups were determined; (1) those inhabiting sites with a thick herb undergrowth and an open tree canopy (plantation) and (2)Those inhabiting stands with sparse or no herb layer and a closed canopy (high forest).
Abstract: Small-mammal communities were monitored over 4 years in South Moravian rural lowland forests in order to study relationships with various forest habitat types. Early successional sites (plantations) and forest edges maintained communities with higher abundance and diversity. Lowest total abundance was observed in unmanaged lowland forest and highest abundance in plantations with irregular undergrowth management. Low diversity was typical of non-fruiting monocultures. In plantations, both diversity and abundance were affected by herb layer removal, with sites subject to regular cutting, displaying lower levels. Significant differences in diversity and species richness were only detected between early and late successional sites, with the former showing higher values. Two basic small-mammal community groups were determined; (1) those inhabiting sites with a thick herb undergrowth and an open tree canopy (plantation) and (2) those inhabiting stands with sparse or no herb layer and a closed canopy (high forest). Forest stands support long-term populations of dominant small forest-dwelling mammal species and, as such, serve as reservoirs, even in rural landscapes dominated by intensive arable farming. Managed early succession lowland forests represent important refuges for a number of small open-habitat mammals negatively affected by intensive farming.

14 citations


Journal Article
TL;DR: In this article, allometric equations for estimating the total aboveground biomass were developed based on the direct measurements of 75 individuals of the three dominant species, Dipterocarpus tuberculatus Roxb, Terminalia tomentosa Mart. ex Eichler, and Pentacme siamensis Kurz.
Abstract: In a deciduous forest of Seima Protection Forest, Cambodia biomass and carbon storage of vegetation, litter layer, and soil were assessed. Allometric equations for estimating the total aboveground biomass were developed based on the direct measurements of 75 individuals of the three dominant species, Dipterocarpus tuberculatus Roxb., Terminalia tomentosa Mart. ex Eichler, and Pentacme siamensis Kurz. The total biomass and carbon content of D. tuberculatus was highest (91 tons ha-1 and 45.50 tons ha-1, respectively) followed by T. tomentosa (19 tons ha-1and 9.50 tons ha-1, respectively) and P. siamensis (17.90 tons ha-1 and 9 tons ha-1, respectively). Moreover, the carbon content of undergrowth vegetation and litter layer was 0.40 tons ha-1 and 1.5 tons ha-1, respectively. In addition, the soil organic carbon (SOC) up to 50 cm depth was 178.10 tons ha-1. The best fi t equations for the total aboveground biomass of the three study species based on combinations of diameter at breast height (DBH) and height (H) as independent variables were highly signifi cant (P Key words: allometric relationships, biomass, carbon storage, REDD, tropical deciduous forest

8 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The results obtained in pine and spruce forests forests of Western Siberia and the Urals show that the growth of the conifer undergrowth is more closely correlated with the index of root competition, and that of heather (Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull.
Abstract: To analyze and quantitatively estimate the contribution of different factors of competition from the edificator tree stand to its effect on plants comprising the lower forest vegetation layer, a set of ecophysiologically based indices of root, light, and integrated competition has been proposed and tested. The results obtained in pine and spruce forests forests of Western Siberia and the Urals show that the growth of the conifer undergrowth is more closely correlated with the index of root competition, and that of heather (Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull.), with the index of light competition from the edificator tree stand. Moreover, the correlation of their growth with the integrated competition index is 15–25% stronger than the correlation with the indices of root and light competition, irrespective of forest type.

5 citations


01 Jan 2012
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigated the effect of prescribed burnings on the diversity and richness of Pinus hartwegii undergrowth in a hillside of Ajusco volcano.
Abstract: Pinus hartwegii forests are favored when they have the right fire regimes, but when this does not happen, the use of prescribed burnings is an option to correct them, which makes the study of fire ecology a relevant matter in this context. In the particular case of Distrito Federal, forests provide environmental services to the people who live at the southern part. Therefore, over a hillside of Ajusco volcano, three plots with prescribed burnings of low intensity (flame length <1 m, propagation speed 3 m min-1), and three plots without burning as control were established at a completely random experimental design (3.6 ha per plot in average). A year later, data from the undergrowth were taken to determine species richness, Shannon-Wiener and Simpson diversity indexes as well as the importance values. The multivariate and univariate analyses of variance revealed an increment in the richness and diversity of species in the burned plots. Muhlenbergia quadridentata increased its density and dominance below greater radiation, but Penstemon gentianoides reduced the latter when radiation was higher, which might be related to a greater moisture in partially shadowed sites. Diversity becomes more important when competition with grasses gets lower, as they dominate the not-burned locations.

5 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The 100% leaf onset is the most suitable phase for phenological monitoring of the canopy trees component and the 70% leaf budburst is suitable phenophase for monitoring of forest stands phenology.
Abstract: Vegetation index NDVI derived from satellite data MODIS (product MOD09) was used for monitoring of phenological phases of beech stands. The effect of leaves of upper story and undergrowth trees, understory vegetation, bark of thin and thick branches, trunk, and litter on NDVI value was identified and quantified for determination of the onset of phenological phases in five beech stands. The phenological observations were carried out in the spring 2011. Phenological curves were modelled for each stand. Inputs were NDVIsat derived from MODIS. The NDVI value for each component was determined from spectral analyses, and its percentage was estimated. Consequently, NDVIₘₒdₑₗ values were calculated for each stand and compared with NDVIₛₐₜ. We found out that NDVIₛₐₜ values are systematically biased from NDVIₘₒdₑₗ values a quotient q was established to revise this biased NDVIₛₐₜ values. Possibilities for satellite long-term phenological monitoring resulted from the quantified effect of individual forest components on NDVI value. The 100% leaf onset is the most suitable phase for phenological monitoring of the canopy trees component. The 100% leaf budburst is suitable phenophase for monitoring of forest stands phenology.

5 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The occurrence of rust fungi infecting vascular plants on 14 sites in western Panama differing in altitude, climate, and vegetation type was analyzed and a higher number of Pucciniales was found infecting mostly pteridophytes and Orchidaceae.
Abstract: The occurrence of rust fungi (Basidiomycota) infecting vascular plants on 14 sites in western Panama differing in altitude, climate, and vegetation type was analyzed. Three vegetation-types are investigated: (1) Disturbed sites where Asteraceae, Fabaceae, and Poaceae are most speciose, (2) slightly disturbed high canopy forests with sparse herbaceous undergrowth and no dominant plant family, and (3) relatively undisturbed forests with rich herbaceous undergrowth where Orchidaceae and ferns are most speciose. The majority of species of Pucciniales were found in disturbed sites on Asteraceae, Cyperaceae, Fabaceae, and Poaceae, whereas high canopy forests with sparse herbaceous layers yielded only few species of Pucciniales that were not common on any specific plant family. In undisturbed forests, a higher number of Pucciniales was found infecting mostly pteridophytes and Orchidaceae. Generally, undisturbed sites yielded a lower number of Pucciniales in relation to the number of plant species of which several species have a wide host range within the same site, and a low percentage of samples containing teliospores. Disturbed sites yielded a high number of Pucciniales in relation to the number of plant species, many rusts having a wide geographical distribution and a wide host range outside the sites, and a higher percentage of samples containing teliospores.

5 citations


Journal Article
TL;DR: Based on the biomass investigation data of Pinus sylvestris var.mongolica plantations with different ages, the compatible tree biomass models of P.sylvestras var.moolica plantations of different ages were established in this article and the changes of carbon density and storage of tree layer, undergrowth layer and died ground cover in the forest were discussed.
Abstract: Based on the biomass investigation data of Pinus sylvestris var.mongolica plantation with different ages,the compatible tree biomass models of P.sylvestris var.mongolica plantation biomass of different ages were established in this paper and the changes of carbon density and storage of tree layer,undergrowth layer and died ground cover in the forest were discussed.The results showed that the carbon density of different organs varied in the following order:leafbranchstemroot.The arithmetic average carbon density of different organs increased with forest age,which were 449.5,460.2,470.8,485.1,489.2 and 513.6 g/kg for the plantations of 27,30,32,36,40 and 44 years old.There was no obvious trend in under-storey of plants and died ground cover.The total carbon storage of P.sylvestris var.mongolica forest increased with forest age,ranging from 37.14 t/hm2 in 27 years old forest to 168.46 t/hm2in 44 years old one.The order of carbon storage of different layers in the forest was treedied ground coverundergrowth layer,accounting for 90.97%,1.13% and 7.90% of total one respectively.Carbon storage of tree in the forest was in obviously dominant position.The average amount of annual fixed carbon of different plantation ages of tree layer,undergrowth layer and died ground cover was 2.043,0.025 and 0.182 t/hm2.The research shows that carbon density and carbon storage of P.sylvestris var.mongolica plantation varies obviously with forest age,and carbon converges was obvious.

4 citations


Journal Article
TL;DR: In this article, the relationship between landscape elements and near-view forest landscape quality of Jingouling forest farm of Changbai Mountain and to suggest reasonable management of the study area was investigated.
Abstract: 【Objective】 The research was to dertermine the relationship between landscape elements and near-view forest landscape quality of Jingouling forest farm of Changbai Mountain and to suggest reasonable management of the study area.【Method】 Thirty in-forest landscapes were evaluated by scenic beauty estimation(SBE) method in this paper,with thirteen landscape elements affecting the near-view forest landscape Aesthetic quality as index.Multivariate linear models for estimation of landscape quality between favor degree and the structural factors of in-forest landscape were established using Quantitative TheoryⅠ.【Result】 The results showed that the main elements affecting the Aesthetic quality of the sdudy area were the Coniferous Proportion,trunk form,Visibility,undergrowth coverage and canopy density with the partial correlation coefficients significant or very significant by t-test;The multiple correlation coefficient of the model was very significant by F test(F=10.999).【Conclusion】 Preference is shown on forest landscapes with Coniferous proportion 30%,straight trunk,higher undergrowth coverage and the canopy density ≥0.7-0.9.



Journal ArticleDOI
01 Feb 2012
TL;DR: The size characteristics of the Norway maple small undergrowth in different association groups of the forests of Novgorod-Sivers’k Polissia are analyzed in this paper.
Abstract: The size characteristics of the Norway maple small undergrowth in different association groups of the forests of Novgorod-Sivers’k Polissia are аnalyzed. As the trophicity of soil increases the values of static metric and dynamic morphoparameters of the undergrowth upsurge. And on the contrary, the values reduced with the growth of the forest overstory density and the projective cover of the herb-shrub layer. It is shown that in different plant communities the Norway maple undergrowth is characterised by specific morphological structure. The communal habitat of the group of Querceta convallariosa associations conforms with the parameters of ecocoenotical optimum, which conditions are most favourable for successful growth of the maple young generation.

Patent
10 Jan 2012
TL;DR: In this article, a method for early detection of resonance properties of standing wood, mainly undergrowth, by determining dendro-acoustic properties of the analysed sample, involves taking samples in form of cuttings from fir undergrowth from the sunny side of the middle side branches, except the last three-year old shoots.
Abstract: FIELD: physics. ^ SUBSTANCE: method for early detection of resonance properties of standing wood, mainly undergrowth, by determining dendro-acoustic properties of the analysed sample, involves taking samples in form of cuttings from fir undergrowth from the sunny side of the middle side branches, except the last three-year old shoots. Natural frequency of vibration of the collected cuttings is determined using a resonance technique. The frequency-amplitude histogram is obtained in automatic mode using a personal computer with a full duplex sound card and a program. The frequency-amplitude histogram is identified with a reference histogram obtained beforehand, taking into account density and actual thickness of the cuttings. Presence of resonance properties in the undergrowth is determined from the identification results with given degree of probability of not less than 0.95. ^ EFFECT: method increases accuracy of detecting resonance properties of standing wood. ^ 1 dwg, 1 ex

Journal Article
TL;DR: Medium and heavy thinning facilitate the increase of plant diversity, and the Shannon-Wiener index was more sensitive to thinning measures.
Abstract: To investigate dynamic changes of plant diversity of Pinus massoniana Lamb plantation in different thinning intensities,and to provide a theoretical basis for determining reasonable thinning intensity.Hereby to take the middle-age Pinus massoniana Lamb plantation in Nanjing Lishui Forest Farm as the research object,and survey and analysis were conducted in terms of the diversity of each thinning stand undergoing thinning 1a and 5a in 2007 and 2011.The results showed that: after thinning 1a and 5a,compared with the control,the species,quantity,richness of Margalef index,diversity of Simpson,Shannon-Weiner index and evenness of JSW index of moderate-intensity thinning understory were significantly increased(P0.05),and the ecological dominance of undergrowth was significantly decreased(P0.05).Each index of light thinning understory was significantly decreased after Thinning 1a(P0.05),while significantly increased after Thinning 5a(P0.05).All indexes in medium and heavy thinning intensity had the largest amplification,wherein the Shannon-Wiener index was more sensitive to thinning measures.After thinning 5a,the species,quantity and diversity index of medium thinning understory were relatively improved in comparison to thinning 1a,the understory species in three thinning intensities were respectively increased 15,17 and 15 species compared with the control,and the total density was increased 1.40,3.44 and 2.14 times.So judging from the short-and long-term effects,medium and heavy thinning facilitate the increase of plant diversity.

Journal Article
TL;DR: In this paper, the effects of thinning intensity with four different treatments of 46.6, 56.2, 67.1% and 0 (control group) on the undergrowth were carried out in the four Pinus tabulaeformis stands in Forest Bureau of Mulanweichang, Hebei Province.
Abstract: Thinning is one of the main forest measures.Studying its effects on forest ecosystems is significant to the sustainable development of forest ecosystems.The effects of thinning intensity with four different treatments of 46.6%,56.2%,67.1% and 0(control group) on the undergrowth were carried out in the four Pinus tabulaeformis stands in Forest Bureau of Mulanweichang,Hebei Province.Through vegetation community investigation,the growth of forest and undergrowth vegetation after different intensities of thinning were studied.The results showed: the DBH,height,crown length and biomass of the tending group were significantly higher than those of the control group,and they increased with the thinning intensity,but stock volume of per unit area decreased with thinning intensity.Light,medium thinning could increase species,Gleason index,Shannon—Wiener index and Pielou index of the undergrowth vegetation,but the species of the undergrowth vegetation wouldn′t increase after heavy thinning.This phenomenon belonged to 'medium disturbance hypothesis'.The composition of dominant species of the four undergrowth vegetation varied after different intensities of thinning.The biomass of undergrowth vegetation increased with thinning intensity.All in all,reasonable thinning can promote the growth of forest and development of undergrowth vegetation.The reasonable thinning intensity of this study area should be about 56.2%.

Journal Article
TL;DR: In this paper, the undergrowth community diversity of the river marshland oncomelania-control and schistosomasis-prevention forests in the middle and lower reaches of Yangtze River was analyzed from the perspectives of species richness, uniformity and species diversity index.
Abstract: In this paper,based on the data on poplar plantation undergrowth communities from three plots and some original nonforest river marshlands, the undergrowth community diversity of the river marshland oncomelania-control and schistosomasis-prevention forests in the middle and lower reaches of Yangtze River was analyzed from the perspectives of species richness, uniformity and species diversity index. The results showed that the botanical diversity increased after afforestation and varied in different-aged plantations with 3-year plantations having the highest botanical diversity index and 8-year plantations having the highest uniformity. River marshland afforestation enriched the botanical community diversity which would show a downtrend along with the stand canopy closure limiting the undergrowth. The results showed that the stand canopy density of the plantations dominated the undergrowth species composition and distribution.

01 Jan 2012
TL;DR: The potential expansion of geographical ranges of pest species will be disruptive to quarantine barriers and is likely to result in increased damage to crops and natural vegetation in previously pest free areas as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Pests, diseases and weeds cause significant impact on crops and natural vegetation each year. Climate change is likely to cause a spread of tropical and sub-tropical species into temperate areas and to increase the numbers of many temperate species currently limited by low temperatures at high altitudes. The potential expansion of geographical ranges of pest species will be disruptive to quarantine barriers and is likely to result in increased damage to crops and natural vegetation in previously pest free areas. Elm Leaf Beetle Pyrrhalta luteola (Mueller) is been reported to increase due to 0.3 o C rise in temperature and 3-4% decrease in rainfall in the Moist Himalayan Forest of Pakistan. The insect attacks Impatience gladulifera Royle., a plant of medicinal importance. The plant is not only used in a variety of local medicines but is also one of the important constituent of undergrowth natural vegetation in these forests. During the last 10 years the leaf damaged cased by the insect is on a hike and has increased up to 85%.

Journal Article
TL;DR: In this article, the impacts on plants, animals and soil on forestland with the mode of free range chicken on pasture land were analyzed in this paper and the results showed that a right amount of Grazing chicken can improve forestland's environment.
Abstract: The paper focused on how to improve poultry breeding benefits through melioration of skills and farming system. The impacts on plants, animals and soil on forestland with the mode of free range chicken on pasture land were analyzed in this paper. Results showed that a right amount of Grazing chicken can improve forestland’s environment. Free range chicken in the undergrowth is environment-friendly and is worth a further promotion and application.


01 Jan 2012
TL;DR: Beliaeva et al. as mentioned in this paper analyzed structural changing and species composition of vegetation lower tiers in forests stands after selective cuttings of different intensities are analyzed, and special attention was paid to selective influence on natural reforestation of spruce.
Abstract: Beliaeva N.V., Gryazkin A.V., Kasi I.A. THE INFLUENCE OF SELECTION CUTTING ON VEGETATION LOW TIERS DEVELOPMENT. In the article structural changing and species composition of vegetation lower tiers in forests stands after selective cuttings of different intensities are analyzed. The results show regularities of forest ecosystem reaction on forest cuttings, that make its regulation easier with taking into consideration forest species and types. It is mentioned that selection cuttings speed up restoration reactions in forest ecosystems. They make favorable conditions for vegetation lower tiers (alive soil cover, undergrowth, brushwood) development by weakening competition and increasing actual soil fertility. As the result species diversity spectrum expands and vegetation lower tiers structure becomes more complicated. Structural changing in alive soil cover, undergrowth and brushwood are directed to soil-protective and resource-saving functions, they are natural consequence of succession speeding up. In the paper special attention is paid to selective influence on natural reforestation of spruce. The quantity of spruce undergrowth depends on cutting accuracy, forest stand shelter density, structure of alive soil cover. The type of cutting does not have decisive influence on undergrowth state.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In the cold-temperate forests of North America, invasive worms are threatening forest ecosystems, due to the changes they create in the soil, including decreases in C:N ratios and leaf litter, disruption of the seed bank, and changes in soil structure and nutrient cycling as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: The topic of invasive earthworms is a timely concern that goes against many preconceived notions regarding the positive benefits of all worms. In the cold-temperate forests of North America invasive worms are threatening forest ecosystems, due to the changes they create in the soil, including decreases in C:N ratios and leaf litter, disruption of the seed bank, and changes in soil structure and nutrient cycling. These changes in turn affect the forest ecosystem by encouraging the growth of non-native plants, inhibiting undergrowth, decreasing biodiversity, and negatively affecting species that are sensitive to change. While the potential for remediation by acidifying the soil exists, the potential repercussions of such a change has not been researched. The key to minimizing the issue of invasive earthworms is prevention. Thus, policy and education targeted at individuals who are horticulturists, fishermen, bait shops owners, and vermiculturalists, who are commonly vectors of introduction, are critical to conserving cold-temperate forests in North America.