Document: CAR-3-40-38

Survey of the abiotic and biotic changes in a deciduous forest after the removal of an invasive shrub, Lonicera maackii.

KEIFFER, C.H.* and C.FRANZ

Miami University, Middletown, OH 45042 USA ¹

Abstract:
Lonicera maackii, Amur honeysuckle, is a non-indigenous shrub that is invading many areas of Southwestern Ohio. In 1997, thousands of L. maackii stems were removed from two forested plots (33m² ea) at Miami University, Middletown. Stems and roots were removed whenever possible, however some larger shrubs were cut and a systemic herbicide (Crossbow) was applied to the cut surface of the remaining stump. Treatments consisted of removing all of the cut debris from one plot, while leaving the cut stems and debris in the other plot. Plots were monitored for 4 months to determine the frequency of resprouting by L. maackii. Results indicated that more re-growth occurred in the plot where the cut debris had remained in the plot. A floristic survey and changes in microclimate (soil moisture, temperature, pH, & light intensity) were measured within the plots and compared with an uncut control plot. Soil moisture and pH, were determined to be significantly higher (P< 0.05) in the control plot when compared with the two cut plots. However, light intensity and temperature were much lower in control plots. There were no significant differences (P< 0.05) in light intensity and temperature between the two cut plots. Species diversity was much lower in the cut plots when compared to the control plots. However, survey results two years after removal indicated that diversity and density increased in the disturbed plots while the control plot remained unchanged. It appears that the experimental plots are slowly recovering from the disturbance associated with the cutting/removal activities.

Keywords: Lonicera maackii, Invasive Plant

This abstract is being presented at: 3:30 PM in session:
Poster Session #17: Vegetative Analysis.