
	Predicting invasions and their impacts on forest regeneration and plant diversity Exotic weeds threaten farms, pine and oak regeneration, and native plant diversity. Using uniquely comprehensive baseline data, we find large declines in tree regeneration and native plant diversity plus large increases in invasive plants across Wisconsin over the past 50 years. Site and surrounding landscape conditions, exotic earthworms, and deer all appear linked to these invasions and native species losses. We propose to extend this work to predict invasions into sites and the likely consequences of these invasions on tree regeneration and native plant diversity. To do this, we will first determine which site and landscape factors best predict the incidence and abundance of invading species. Additional field sampling will allow us to extend our surveys into highly invaded lowland forests and accurately assess the extent and impacts of invasive shrubs and earthworms. We will use GIS models to estimate how vulnerable given sites are to invasion and to create contour maps predicting vulnerability. Using data from this and previous projects and multivariate statistical models will allow us to evaluate the separate and combined effects of earthworms, garlic mustard, buckthorn, and honeysuckle on patterns of tree regeneration and native plant diversity. Finally, we will initiate experiments to determine how quickly tree regeneration and plant diversity recover in invaded forests once garlic mustard and exotic shrubs are removed. These results will enhance economic opportunities, improve the rural quality of life, and enhance our ability to protect and sustain our Nation’s natural resource base and environment (CREEES goals 2 and 5). This material is based upon work supported by the United States Department of Agriculture under grant number 2008-35320-18680 Return to top
____________________________________________________________________________ contact us \| 608-265-2191 Waller lab home \| Research \| People \| Contact us \| Botany home \| UW home \| Related links site updated on 12-Apr-2006 ©University of Wisconsin - Madison

Predicting invasions and their impacts on forest regeneration and plant diversity

Exotic weeds threaten farms, pine and oak regeneration, and native plant diversity. Using
uniquely comprehensive baseline data, we find large declines in tree regeneration and native plant diversity plus large increases in invasive plants across Wisconsin over the past 50 years. Site and surrounding landscape conditions, exotic earthworms, and deer all appear linked to these invasions and native species losses.

We propose to extend this work to predict invasions into sites and the likely consequences of these invasions on tree regeneration and native plant diversity. To do this, we will first determine which site and landscape factors best predict the incidence and abundance of invading species. Additional field sampling will allow us to extend our surveys into highly invaded lowland forests and accurately assess the extent and impacts of invasive shrubs and earthworms. We will use GIS models to estimate how vulnerable given sites are to invasion and to create contour maps predicting vulnerability. Using data from this and previous projects and multivariate statistical models will allow us to evaluate the separate and combined effects of earthworms, garlic mustard, buckthorn, and honeysuckle on patterns of tree regeneration and native plant diversity. Finally, we will initiate experiments to determine how quickly tree regeneration and plant diversity recover in invaded forests once garlic mustard and exotic shrubs are removed.

These results will enhance economic opportunities, improve the rural quality of life, and enhance our ability to protect and sustain our Nation’s natural resource base and environment (CREEES goals 2 and 5).

This material is based upon work supported by the United States Department of Agriculture under grant number 2008-35320-18680

Return to top

____________________________________________________________________________