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Invasive earthworms erode soil biodiversity: A meta‐analysis
Author(s) -
Ferlian Olga,
Eisenhauer Nico,
Aguirrebengoa Martin,
Camara Mariama,
RamirezRojas Irene,
Santos Fábio,
Tanalgo Krizler,
Thakur Madhav P.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of animal ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.134
H-Index - 157
eISSN - 1365-2656
pISSN - 0021-8790
DOI - 10.1111/1365-2656.12746
Subject(s) - earthworm , ecosystem engineer , ecosystem , biodiversity , bioturbation , soil biology , soil biodiversity , ecology , environmental science , invertebrate , biomass (ecology) , terrestrial ecosystem , species richness , soil ecology , biology , keystone species , soil organic matter , soil water , paleontology , sediment
Biological invasions pose a serious threat to biodiversity and ecosystem functioning across ecosystems. Invasions by ecosystem engineers, in particular, have been shown to have dramatic effects in recipient ecosystems. For instance, invasion by earthworms, a below‐ground invertebrate ecosystem engineer, in previously earthworm‐free ecosystems alters the physico‐chemical characteristics of the soil. Studies have shown that such alterations in the soil can have far‐reaching impacts on soil organisms, which form a major portion of terrestrial biodiversity. Here, we present the first quantitative synthesis of earthworm invasion effects on soil micro‐organisms and soil invertebrates based on 430 observations from 30 independent studies. Our meta‐analysis shows a significant decline of the diversity and density of soil invertebrates in response to earthworm invasion with anecic and endogeic earthworms causing the strongest effects. Earthworm invasion effects on soil micro‐organisms were context‐dependent, such as depending on functional group richness of invasive earthworms and soil depth. Microbial biomass and diversity increased in mineral soil layers, with a weak negative effect in organic soil layers, indicating that the mixing of soil layers by earthworms (bioturbation) may homogenize microbial communities across soil layers. Our meta‐analysis provides a compelling evidence for negative effects of a common invasive below‐ground ecosystem engineer on below‐ground biodiversity of recipient ecosystems, which could potentially alter the ecosystem functions and services linked to soil biota.