Assessing jumping worm distribution in northeastern forests

Jumping worms are an invasive earthworm that alter soil structure by rapidly consuming organic material. They can increase rates of erosion and generate forest understory conditions that are more susceptible to invasive plant establishment. They are an increasing concern in the Northeast in both agricultural and forest settings. However, the distribution of jumping worms across forests in the region is not yet known. FEMC is working with UVM Professor Josef Gorres to deploy a presence/absence detection method across the FEMC Forest Health Monitoring sites during summer 2025.