Abstract Detail

Ecology

Matthews, Elizabeth [1], Grillo, Marisa [1], Morrison, Janet [1].

An account of Lonicera japonica, being aided by an invasive shrub while inhibiting a native herb, leading to its successful invasion.

Suburban forests are the primary connection to nature for many people, yet we know little of how they function and need to be managed. Interactions between native and non-native species are likely key to their structure and function. One prominent non-native species in mid-Atlantic suburban forests is Lonicera japonica (Japanese honeysuckle), which vines up through the canopy. It also grows horizontally across the forest floor, where it may negatively affect co-occurring native herbs such as Aster divaricatus, by occupying physical space and competing for resources. In turn, Rosa multiflora, a non-native shrub that also occurs in these forests at high abundance, may positively affect L. japonica because it has woody branching that can support its viney growth form. We are conducting a field study in 32-40, 4x4 plots in each of six forested sites in central New Jersey. We estimated percent cover (5%, 15%, 25%, etc.) of all species in the plots’ herb layers in 16 1 quadrats scattered throughout each plot, and used the per-plot means for analysis. Regression revealed a weak negative effect of L. japonica on A. divaricatus in one forest (Baldpate, R²=0.051, P= 0.16). Lonicera had a strong positive relationship with R. multiflora in two of the forests (Baldpate, R²=0.179, P=0.007; Nayfield, R²=0.158, P=0.011) Field observations suggest that L. japonica wraps around the rose’s thorny branches, allowing for protection and a place to grow. We are next testing these species’ interactions in a new greenhouse experiment that compares A. divaricatus seedling growth with and without L. japonica cuttings, and L. japonica cuttings growing with and without R. multiflora cuttings. As an invasive vine, L. japonica may inhibit native herbaceous plants, but at the same time may be enhanced by nonnative shrubs leading to its successful invasion.

1 - The College Of New Jersey, Department Of Biology, P.O. Box 7718, Ewing, NJ, 08628, USA

Keywords:
Lonicera
japonica
plant invasion
forest ecology
Rosa multiflora
Aster 
growth pattern.

Presentation Type: Poster
Session: P, Ecology Section Posters
Location: Exhibit Hall/Savannah International Trade and Convention Center
Date: Monday, August 1st, 2016
Time: 5:30 PM This poster will be presented at 6:15 pm. The Poster Session runs from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm. Posters with odd poster numbers are presented at 5:30 pm, and posters with even poster numbers are presented at 6:15 pm.
Number: PEC010
Abstract ID:297
Candidate for Awards:Ecological Section Best Undergraduate Presentation Award