What risk does an invasive species like the Asian jumping worm (*Amynthas*) pose to soil structure?
Answer
They can rapidly strip away the crucial organic layer.
The presence of invasive earthworm species, such as the Asian jumping worm belonging to lineages like *Amynthas*, signals a significant threat to stable ecosystems, particularly concerning the vital top layer of soil. Unlike native earthworm counterparts whose ecological roles are integrated into the existing ecosystem processes, these invasive species reproduce quickly and consume surface organic matter at an alarming rate. This rapid consumption strips away the crucial layer of decomposing organic material (humus), which is necessary for water retention, nutrient cycling, and supporting other soil inhabitants, fundamentally altering the soil structure and composition.
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