by Matteo Cavallito<\/p>\n
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The increasingly invasive presence of earthworms<\/strong> is changing soil composition in Canada’s boreal forests. This is suggested by a study<\/a> of the University of Alberta<\/strong>. The survey, one of the first to highlight the link between the species and the microbial community paints a particularly interesting picture. In fact, the ongoing change could affect ecosystem services carried out by the soil.<\/p>\n Fungi and soil bacteria, in particular, are the main factors<\/a> affecting plants’ management of the carbon and nutrient cycle. “As earthworm invasion progresses in these boreal systems, these changes in the soil microbial communities may have an impact on forests at a large scale,” said Justine Lejoly<\/strong>, researcher and author of the research, in a statement<\/a> released by the Canadian university.<\/p>\n