Earthworms and mycorrhizae

fortyonenorth · April 4, 2012

Has anyone read any scientific studies related to earthworms and their negative impact on mycorrhizae fungi? I'm writing a response to a National Park Service environmental impact assessment in which they asserted that this was true.

Tracydr · April 4, 2012

Really?
Well, aren't earthworms an invasive, introduced species in some places like MN?

pdxwindjammer · April 4, 2012

Google works wonders by supplying info

. For example:

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science...38071702000366

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science...38071705004062

dice · April 11, 2012

I am not sure this research is far enough long yet to have quantifiable
results, but it will likely answer the question eventually:
http://www.serc.si.edu/labs/plant_ec...corrhizal.aspx

(The assertion that the Park Service already has the answer to this
question seems a bit far-fetched.)

fortyonenorth · April 11, 2012

Thanks for the replies everyone. Interesting articles.

The assertion that the Park Service already has the answer to this
question seems a bit far-fetched.

Yes. I agree, Dice. I got a chuckle out of your comment.

dice · April 13, 2012

Earthworms and mycorrhizae have been cohabiting the same soils
since before mammals evolved. I can see earthworms maybe
vacuuming up some filaments from mycorrhizae as they bulldoze
through the soil, but that is not likely to kill the fungus.

Anyway, you could possibly email the researcher mentioned in that
URL above and ask her if she knows of any existing, already
completed research that considered the question.

April 4, 2012	#1
fortyonenorth Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: NW Indiana Posts: 1,150	Earthworms and mycorrhizae Has anyone read any scientific studies related to earthworms and their negative impact on mycorrhizae fungi? I'm writing a response to a National Park Service environmental impact assessment in which they asserted that this was true. Last edited by fortyonenorth; April 11, 2012 at 10:55 PM.

April 11, 2012	#4
dice Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: PNW Posts: 4,743	I am not sure this research is far enough long yet to have quantifiable results, but it will likely answer the question eventually: http://www.serc.si.edu/labs/plant_ec...corrhizal.aspx (The assertion that the Park Service already has the answer to this question seems a bit far-fetched.) __________________ -- alias

April 13, 2012	#6
dice Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: PNW Posts: 4,743	Earthworms and mycorrhizae have been cohabiting the same soils since before mammals evolved. I can see earthworms maybe vacuuming up some filaments from mycorrhizae as they bulldoze through the soil, but that is not likely to kill the fungus. Anyway, you could possibly email the researcher mentioned in that URL above and ask her if she knows of any existing, already completed research that considered the question. __________________ -- alias

April 4, 2012	#2
Tracydr Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2011 Location: Laurinburg, North Carolina, zone 7 Posts: 3,207	Really? Well, aren't earthworms an invasive, introduced species in some places like MN?

April 4, 2012	#3
pdxwindjammer Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 625	Google works wonders by supplying info . For example: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science...38071702000366 http://www.sciencedirect.com/science...38071705004062