NSF Org:	DEB Division Of Environmental Biology
Recipient:	REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
Initial Amendment Date:	September 18, 2000
Latest Amendment Date:	March 20, 2003
Award Number:	0075236
Award Instrument:	Standard Grant
Program Manager:	Alan Tessier DEB  Division Of Environmental Biology BIO  Directorate for Biological Sciences
Start Date:	September 1, 2000
End Date:	August 31, 2004 (Estimated)
Total Intended Award Amount:	$318,228.00
Total Awarded Amount to Date:	$340,400.00
Funds Obligated to Date:	FY 2000 = $318,228.00 FY 2001 = $16,132.00 FY 2003 = $6,040.00
History of Investigator:	Lee Frelich (Principal Investigator) freli001@umn.edu Peter Reich (Co-Principal Investigator)
Recipient Sponsored Research Office:	University of Minnesota-Twin Cities 2221 UNIVERSITY AVE SE STE 100 MINNEAPOLIS MN  US  55414-3074 (612)624-5599
Sponsor Congressional District:	05
Primary Place of Performance:	University of Minnesota-Twin Cities 2221 UNIVERSITY AVE SE STE 100 MINNEAPOLIS MN  US  55414-3074
Primary Place of Performance Congressional District:	05
Unique Entity Identifier (UEI):	KABJZBBJ4B54
Parent UEI:
NSF Program(s):	ECOSYSTEM STUDIES, POP & COMMUNITY ECOL PROG
Primary Program Source:	app-0100  01000102DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT app-0103
Program Reference Code(s):	9169, 9178, 9251, EGCH, SMET
Program Element Code(s):	118100, 118200
Award Agency Code:	4900
Fund Agency Code:	4900
Assistance Listing Number(s):	47.074

ABSTRACT

0075236
Frelich
European earthworm species have recently begun to invade hardwood forest ecosystems in the northern United States. Many of these forests have thick forest floor layers that serve as the rooting medium for forest herbs and tree seedlings. Exotic earthworms consume the "duff" layer, sometimes leaving exposed mineral soil. Although there is significant concern about the potential loss of native forest plant species and ecosystem stability, little is known about how plant communities and ecosystems respond to invasion by detritivores (detritus-feeders). The overarching hypothesis of the study is that earthworm invasion will have cascading effects on soil characteristics and forest-floor vegetation, and that resilience of the community will depend on site productivity and interaction with deer grazing. This study will employ deer exclosures, field studies, and experimental manipulations to determine rates and patterns of change in earthworm populations, assess effects of earthworm species on forest floor and understory vegetation, identify factors affecting vegetation recovery following establishment of earthworm populations, and examine earthworm impacts across a site productivity gradient. This study will lead to increased understanding of the process of invasion by exotic animal species and will have significant implications for forest management and restoration.

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