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Earthworm invasion!
An earthworm invasion is threatening southern Albertaâs fragile alpine environment, according to scientists, who say the slinky creatures are overrunning the thin soil of the Rocky Mountains west of Calgary. More than a decade after they crawled west from the prairies, the earthworm population in Kananaskis Country has skyrocketed to the point where experts are worried the entire ecology of the areaâs forests could be altered. "Any time you have some kind of invasive species, weâre concerned about the impact it might have on other aspects of the ecosystem," said Steve Donelon, parks ecologist for Alberta Community Development. Earthworms have the potential to wreak havoc in mountain environments that are particularly sensitive to change. Researchers have seen earthworm numbers climb as high as 2,500 per square metre in some areas.Posted by: Mark Espinola 2004-07-15 |
| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=38106 |