Document: CHE-3-75-18

Tolerance to soil moisture and light conditions of an invasive exotic Lepidium latifolium and two competing native species.

CHEN, H.* 1, R.G.QUALLS 1, R.R.BLANK 2, A.HAWKINS 1, H.HUEY 1, J.MATUSZAK 1 and G.TORRES 1

University of Nevada, Reno NV 89557 U.S.A. 1
U.S.D.A. Ag. Res. Serv., Reno NV 89557 U.S.A. 2

Abstract:
Lepidium latifolium is an exotic crucifer which has spread explosively in recent years in wetlands and riparian areas of the western U.S. We examined the niche breadth of L. latifolium, Juncus balticus, and Eleocharis macrostycha with respect to soil moisture and light conditions. Plants were grown in a complete factoral design with 3 levels of moisture (saturation, -0.2 bar, and -6 bar soil matric water potential) and 4 levels of shading. J. balticus and E. macrostycha grew best at saturation and full sunlight. L. latifolium survived but did not grow at saturation and was more shade tolerant. We hypothesize that the extreme invasiveness of L. latifolium is in part related to the ability to survive spring saturation and grow optimally in a drying soil typical of riparian zones in arid areas and to tolerate shading in the early stages of invasion of an intact stand.

Keywords: wetland, riparian, exotic, invasive, competition, soil moisture, light

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This abstract is being presented at: 10:30 AM in session:
RESTORATION ECOLOGY AND INVASIONS