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?

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