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Invasive Asian worm identified in Columbia Co.
Oct 09, 2013 6:11 am
John Mason is reporting in the Register Star the worms invading an area of Columbia County forest, yard and garden have been tentatively identified by earthworm specialists as belonging to the Asian genus Amynthas, Hudson resident Anne MacPherson said Tues., Oct. 8. MacPherson believes they present a life-or-death threat to the forest trees on her land. She said the worms have destroyed the forest’s leaf litter, important for supplying nutrients to the trees, and have invaded her lawn as well. The worms are an invasive species and the population has exploded. In addition to devouring forest nutrients, the worms release nitrogen into the soil. An investigation into the worms' presence by specialists is ongoing. Read the full story in the Register Star.