Earthworms at the Root of Sugar Maple Decline

What is the primary cause of sugar maple decline according to the study?

• Non-native earthworms

• species variation, including Basswoods

• Climate change

• Forest management practices

How do earthworms affect the forest floor?

• They consume the leaf litter and expose bare soil.

• They fertilize the soil and promote plant growth.

• They create tunnels that improve soil aeration.

• They increase the soil's water retention capacity.

What makes sugar maples particularly vulnerable to earthworm invasion?

• Their roots are mostly in the top few inches of soil.

• They have a high tannin content in their leaves.

• They are native to the Upper Midwest.

• They have deep root systems.

What is one suggested method to slow the spread of earthworms?

• Throw bait in the trash and wash mud off vehicles.

• Use chemical wormicides in forests.

• Plant more sugar maples to outcompete worms.

• Introduce natural predators of earthworms.

What could be a potential positive outcome of sugar maple decline?

• Increased forest diversity with other tree species.

• Complete eradication of earthworms.

• Revival of the sugar maple industry.

• Expansion of sugar maple forests.

What is the predicted future of sugar maple forests in relation to earthworm invasion?

• 95% will be invaded by earthworms within 100 years.

• They will completely recover from earthworm damage.

• They will become resistant to earthworm invasion.

• Earthworm populations will naturally decline.

What other forest creatures are affected by earthworm invasion?

• Ground-nesting birds, insects, amphibians, and fungi.

• Large mammals like deer and bears.

• Fish in nearby streams and rivers.

• Predatory birds like hawks and eagles.

Why do you think earthworms have been introduced into American forests? Where did they come from?

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What type of curve best reflects the growth of an invasive species, like an earthworm?

• Logistic

• S-curve

• Exponential

• Linear

Using the map from the document, which of the following locations have native earthworms in the forests?

• Texas

• Michigan

• Florida

• Minnesota