Stiftelsen Oscar och Lili Lamms Minne
Du är här: Hem // 2018 
TitelDags att skydda fjällmiljön mot invasiva daggmaskarter?
NoDO2018-0030
UniversitetUmeå Universitet
InstitutionUmeå Universitet
HuvudsökandeJonatan Klaminder
Beviljat belopp2 200 000
Sammanfattning
Protecting pristine landscapes within the Swedish environment is of central focus for the Oscar and Lili Lamm foundation. This project will provide empirical data that are central when determining to what extent the current state of the Swedish alpine environment (the Scandes) is under threat from invasive soil macrobiota and to what extent protection measurements are needed to counteract this ongoing invasion. Northern alpine ecosystems are under increased threat from non-native species due to increasing human activities and on-going climate warming. In contrast to some other arctic countries, Sweden has not adopted any strategy restricting the dispersal of earthworms despite their reputation of being invasive, i.e. species that are non-native and whose introduction is likely to cause economic or environmental harm. A recent study show that many earthworm species are radiating out in high numbers from human settlements within the Swedish alpine ecosystem, even within our most protected alpine National Parks. Their high biomasses, known negative impacts in other ecosystems by some species (henceforth referred to as geoengineering earthworms), and persistence once established, highlight the urgency of acting if the present state of the alpine environment should be protected. Yet, knowledge regarding the effects of earthworms in the Scandes are lacking along with sound scientific evidence that the geoengineering species are none-native to the Swedish alpine environment. Aim: This PhD-project aims at filling knowledge gaps regarding environmental effects induced by geoengineering earthworms in the Scandes and uncertainties regarding their non-native origin in the alpine environment. Empirical data derived from the project will be central for developing policies regarding to what extent earthworms species should be given restricted access to our alpine national parks. More specifically, the main objectives are to: - Objective 1: Quantify impacts of invasive geoengineering earthworms on alpine ecosystems - Objective 2: Use DNA from earthworm granules preserved in ancient buried soil layers (paleosols) to identify native earthworm functional groups and species present in the alpine environment prior to the arrival of modern anthropogenic sources - Objective 3: Conduct a regional risk assessment of environmental changes induced by geoengineering earthworms in the alpine biome of Sweden Methods: The proposed project will derive empirical data from field measurements including replicated mesocosm experiments as well as assays along identified earthworm invasion gradients. Modelling efforts will be conducted to assess the scale of impacts on alpine environments. Native earthworm functional groups and species will be determined through a paleoecological approach based on DNA analyses of dated earthworm granules preserved in buried soils. Project length: 2019-01-01 to 2022-12-31 Co-finances: Cofounding will cover remaining salary cost and project running costs.