The effects of dominant overstory and soil on the densities of worm populations in the forests of Colonial Point.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the factors that affect worm distribution in northern Michigan forests, specifically within Colonial Point. The variables in consideration are dominant tree species, comparing hardwood and conifer, soil composition, comparing clay and sand, soil Ph, and leaf litter mass. The densities of worms in clay soil were significantly higher than in sandy soil. The densities were also consistently higher in the hardwood areas than in the conifer areas, however, there was no significant difference. There was no correlation between mass of the leaf litter and worm densities. Soil texture was found to be the primary determinant for worm densities.