Multiple disturbances accelerate invasion of reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea L.) in a mesocosm study
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Authors: S. M. Kercher, and J. B. Zedler
Date: 2004
Journal: Oecologia
Volume: 138
Number: 3
Pages: 455-464
Summary of Methods: The effect of different disturbances on the invasibility of Phalaris arundinacea (reed canary grass) was investigated in two trials in Wisconsin. One hundred-fifty mesocosms (1m² stock tanks) of established native wet prairie vegetation (planted two years prior to the treatment) were planted with three month old Phalaris seedlings and subjected to different combinations of flooding, nutrient additions, sedimentation and grazing. The flooding treatments consisted of intermittent, early season, or constant water. The nutrient additions were none, low, or high. The sedimentation treatments were none, sand, or topsoil. The grazing treatment was conducted during Phalaris transplanting on ten of the 150 mesocosms (2 from each treatment combination) by clipping the established prairie plants to the soil surface and leaving the Phalaris. Light availability, soil redox potential, species composition, and biomass were measured at the end of the summer following Phalaris establishment to determine how different disturbances affect the invasibility of Phalaris.
Article Summary / Main Points: Separately, long term flooding, grazing, and sedimentation decreased prairie vegetation, which increased light levels allowing Phalaris to increase in biomass and/or frequency. The combination of flooding or grazing with addition of nutrients dramatically increased Phalaris biomass. Although these disturbances can stimulate invasion on their own, they also work either together or additively to promote Phalaris invasions.
Vegetation Types: Riparian and Wetlands
MLRA Ecoregions: 105 Northern Mississippi Valley Loess Hills 108A Illinois and Iowa Deep Loess and Drift, Eastern Part 108B Illinois and Iowa Deep Loess and Drift, East-Central Part 110 Northern Illinois and Indiana Heavy Till Plain 95A Northeastern Wisconsin Drift Plain
Agrovoc Control Words: Riparian zones Rangelands Plant Resources
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Experimental Research
Keywords: eutrophication, flooding, fluctuating resource hypothesis, invasibility, invasive species, simulated herbivory
Annotation: This study is applicable to most riparian areas with Phalaris invasions. When resident vegetation is disturbed by a combination of factors it is easy for other plants to use the available space, light, and nutrients. The grazing treatment in this study was extreme and if some prairie vegetation had been left and/or if the Phalaris was clipped too, the results might not have been as extreme.
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