Herd reduction,forest regeneration, habitat destruction and earthworms.
08-23-2009, 07:59 AM
#1
Nontypical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,879
Herd reduction,forest regeneration, habitat destruction and earthworms.
The PGC has been telling us we had to reduce the herd because over browsing by deer was preventing adequate regeneration of our existing forests. But ,according to some scientists there may be another significant cause for the lack of regeneration and that is the effects of the european earthworm which is invading many of the forests in the northern tier states.
Here is a quote regarding the effects these earthworms have had on the forests in Minn.
Here is a quote regarding the effects these earthworms have had on the forests in Minn.
Invading earthworms appear to be causing widespread loss of native forest plant species and affecting the stability of hardwood-forest ecosystems, said Hale, a graduate student in the university's department of forest resources. During the last few decades, European earthworm species have moved into hardwood forests in the northern tier of the United States.
"We have documented significant damage in the Chippewa National Forest and in isolated forest preserves in and near the Twin Cities area in southern parts of Minnesota," Hale noted.
Minnesota's hardwood forests, which developed in the absence of native earthworms after the last glaciers retreated, contain a thick forest floor that serves as a perfect rooting medium for many species of forest herbs and tree seedlings. In the 1800s European settlers arrived, bringing with them European earthworm species in potted plants. European earthworms have been part of the habitats surrounding human habitation ever since..
"We have documented significant damage in the Chippewa National Forest and in isolated forest preserves in and near the Twin Cities area in southern parts of Minnesota," Hale noted.
Minnesota's hardwood forests, which developed in the absence of native earthworms after the last glaciers retreated, contain a thick forest floor that serves as a perfect rooting medium for many species of forest herbs and tree seedlings. In the 1800s European settlers arrived, bringing with them European earthworm species in potted plants. European earthworms have been part of the habitats surrounding human habitation ever since..
08-23-2009, 09:58 AM
#2
Typical Buck
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Westmoreland County PA.
Posts: 735
Why do you choose not to include the full story?
http://cfhe.cfans.umn.edu/projects/earthworm.html
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives...rms/index.html
http://cfhe.cfans.umn.edu/projects/earthworm.html
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives...rms/index.html
08-23-2009, 10:19 AM
#3
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: SW PA USA
Posts: 7,220
Why do you choose not to include the full story?
http://cfhe.cfans.umn.edu/projects/earthworm.html
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives...rms/index.html
http://cfhe.cfans.umn.edu/projects/earthworm.html
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives...rms/index.html
Once again the bird is
The WHOLE story cites earthworms AND deer.
Wonder why he left that part out..........
08-23-2009, 10:50 AM
#5
Nontypical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,879
The WHOLE story cites earthworms AND deer.
Wonder why he left that part out
Wonder why he left that part out
08-23-2009, 11:52 AM
#7
Banned
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location:
Posts: 2,978
Pgc has been telling us deer deer deer. Its no secret and the only "new" thing about this discussion is the worms. Though some will nitpick everything ever posted that doesnt equate to deer and deer alone being culprit.
Interesting bb. Some of us realize there are more than "those damn woodswrecker deer" at play since forests have been in existance long before gary alt and herd reduction.
Interesting bb. Some of us realize there are more than "those damn woodswrecker deer" at play since forests have been in existance long before gary alt and herd reduction.
08-23-2009, 12:08 PM
#9
Nontypical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,879
Classic Bluebird!
Why cloud the issue with all the relevant facts, right?
You really need to get out more.
Why cloud the issue with all the relevant facts, right?
You really need to get out more.
I got out and observed the effects earthworms were having on the leaf ground cover before I read the article. Did you? Have you ever seen the worms in question or would you know them if you saw them?
Last edited by bluebird2; 08-23-2009 at 12:22 PM.
08-23-2009, 12:27 PM
#10
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: SW PA USA
Posts: 7,220
Actually you've uncovered the vast conspiracy! First we had the insurance companies and their midnite runs with truckloads of cougars and coyotes......
Now there are whispers of midnite truckloads of worms imported by Audubon. The worms were brought in, of course, to feed all the birdies that will roam the forests now that those evil deer are gone.
Next we'll see internet photos of USP prez Mohr with flashlight and bait bucket in hand conducting his own investigation.......
Look on the bright side, maybe the high worm population will drive down the high cost of fish bait
Now there are whispers of midnite truckloads of worms imported by Audubon. The worms were brought in, of course, to feed all the birdies that will roam the forests now that those evil deer are gone.
Next we'll see internet photos of USP prez Mohr with flashlight and bait bucket in hand conducting his own investigation.......
Look on the bright side, maybe the high worm population will drive down the high cost of fish bait
Last edited by BTBowhunter; 08-23-2009 at 12:29 PM.