How Earthworms and Invasive Plants Team Up in Polluted Soil

In some places, the soil is not very healthy. It contains Cadmium (Cd), which is harmful to plants. However, some plants are better at dealing with this toxin than others. These are called invasive plants. They are not native; they come from other places and take over.

Earthworms live in the soil, acting like tiny farmers. They help plants grow. But, they seem to prefer invasive plants over local ones. This is a problem because the earthworms help the invasive plants grow bigger and stronger, while the local plants struggle.

This is unfair to the local plants. They are already struggling to grow in polluted soil, and the invasive plants are getting extra help from the earthworms. This makes it even harder for the local plants to survive.

Invasive plants also benefit the earthworms. The earthworms grow bigger and healthier when they are around invasive plants. This creates a bad cycle: the earthworms help the invasive plants, and the invasive plants help the earthworms.

This is a big problem. Invasive plants are taking over, spreading and making it difficult for local plants to grow. This is bad for the environment and can also be harmful to people. The Cadmium in the soil can enter the food chain, making people sick.

Something needs to be done. Maybe we can control the earthworms. If we can stop them from helping the invasive plants, we can give the local plants a better chance. This is important for the environment and for people's health.