Spread
We study the distribution and ecology of jumping worms to understand how they spread, what environmental factors affect their success and what natural barriers may impede their movement. We rely on data collected by our own scientists and by trained community scientists for as broad a coverage of the Northern Forest ecoregion as possible.
The success of a biological invasion depends on many factors that all need to work together. The transport of an invasive organism to a new habitat is just the first necessary step in their spread. For instance, we know that jumping worms move by human activity and flowing water, but they still need appropriate soil, climate, vegetation, and topography to succeed where they land.
Knowing the relationship between the distribution of earthworms and environmental factors can help us predict which ecosystems and natural resources are most vulnerable to invasion, so that we can prioritize our outreach and management efforts.
Representative projects:
Tracking the Spread of Jumping Worms
Our researchers have partnered with community scientists and Master Gardeners in multiple regions, including Minnesota and Wisconsin in the US, and New Brunswick in Canada to track the progression of jumping worm invasion across different landscapes. This approach has successfully resulted in the earliest discoveries of jumping worms in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Our researchers are also conducting field observations of jumping worm invasion into managed agro-forests and public forests across the northeastern and mid-Atlantic US states, and we are actively seeking new ways to partner with the wider community.
Advanced remote-sensing technology can also help us investigate subtle changes in ecosystems over large areas, such as changes in organic matter or green-up of forest canopies. This helps us quickly identify infested forests, which we then validate with on-the-ground community participation. Together with other indicators like proximity to gardens or horticulture centers, these approaches could predict where jumping worms are likely to invade and thus help track the invasion front and prioritize where to focus preventative measures before potential containment costs spiral.
Understanding Vectors of Spread
We are sampling regional nurseries, composting sites, fishing areas, forests, and parks to determine the links between where jumping worms and their cocoons are found and likely vectors of introduction, including spread through waterways and via human activity. We are then using that information to target outreach efforts. This work is occurring in New Brunswick, Vermont, and New York.
Spatial and Species Distribution Analysis
In a three-year study in partnership between New York State and the Davalos and Dobson labs, we are analyzing the distribution and species composition of jumping worm populations and identifying ecosystem characteristics that are changed by or required by the worms. This work helps us understand whether certain types of environments, e.g., soil moisture, vegetation, etc., make it more likely for worms to invade. This project also pioneers the use of environmental metagenomics (eDNA) to allow researchers to identify the presence and species of jumping worms using 10g soil samples, making it easier to quickly identify early invasions across larger geographic areas.
