Indirect and direct effects of exotic earthworms on soil nutrient and carbon pools in North American temperate forests

► We compared direct and indirect effects of exotic earthworms in forest soils. ► Indirect effects of soil-dwelling earthworms were greater than direct effects. ► Indirect effects occurred via changes to pH, soil organic matter, and microbial biomass. ► Indirect effects of earthworms yielded decreases in nutrient and carbon pools. ► The reduction in available phosphorus and soil carbon are of particular concern.