Lakehead University Library Logo
    • Login
    View Item 
    •   Knowledge Commons
    • Electronic Theses and Dissertations
    • Undergraduate theses
    • View Item
    •   Knowledge Commons
    • Electronic Theses and Dissertations
    • Undergraduate theses
    • View Item
    JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.
    quick search

    Browse

    All of Knowledge CommonsCommunities & CollectionsBy Issue DateAuthorTitleSubjectDisciplineAdvisorCommittee MemberThis CollectionBy Issue DateAuthorTitleSubjectDisciplineAdvisorCommittee Member

    My Account

    Login

    Statistics

    View Usage Statistics

    Impacts of invasive earthworms on carbon storage in southern boreal hardwood forests

    Thumbnail

    View/Open

    RichardsonN2017b-1b.pdf (2.172Mb)

    Date

    2017

    Author

    Richardson, Nicole

    Degree

    Honours Bachelor of Science in Forestry

    Discipline

    Natural Resources Management

    Subject

    Biomixing
    Boreal forest
    Climate change
    Invasive species
    Earthworms
    Detritivore
    Lumbricidae

    Metadata

    Show full item record

    Abstract

    The introduction of invasive, non-native earthworms into forest ecosystems has increased as recreational, industrial, and commercial activities increase in northern Ontario. The presence of these ecosystem engineers in previously uninvaded ecosystems has resulted in significant changes in soil structure, vegetation communities and soil organic carbon. In this study, field activities gathered samples of earthworms and soil from five different sites in the Thunder Bay district. Lab analysis was then completed to determine the relationships between ash-free dry mass of earthworms, total organic carbon, soil texture, pH and understory species richness. Results indicated that the presence of earthworms in northern boreal hardwood forest ecosystems has led to significant decreases in carbon storage of approximately 7%. This reduction in soil carbon storage may result in an increased release of carbon emissions and the reduction of the efficacy of the boreal forest as a critical global carbon sink.

    URI

    http://knowledgecommons.lakeheadu.ca/handle/2453/4365

    Collections

    • Undergraduate theses

    Lakehead University Library
    Contact Us | Send Feedback

     


    Lakehead University Library
    Contact Us | Send Feedback