PARENT SESSION
Poster Session #41: Invasive Species Ecology: Woodlands.
Wednesday, August 7. Presentation from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM. Exhibit Hall B & C, TCC
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Dynamics of the woodland herbaceous layer following honeysuckle removal.
Earnhart, Claire*,1, Banker, Michele2, Geiger, Donald1,2, Jablonski, Leanne2, 1 University of Dayton, Dayton, OH2 The Marianist Environmental Education Center (MEEC), Dayton, OH
ABSTRACT- Native Ohio deciduous woodlands are rapidly disappearing due to the invasive, non-native species such as Amur honeysuckle (Lonicera maacki). MEEC stewards the 13.4 ha woods at Mount Saint John (MSJ) in Greene County, OH and for 15 years has been restoring MSJ woods to native vegetation through honeysuckle eradication. The herbaceous layer was assessed during summer 2001 in three 100m2 plots differing in time since honeysuckle removal (two years, seven years and never invaded). Quadrats of 1m2 were randomly placed within each plot and herbs and tree seedlings <1m identified and counted. Across all plots, the predominant native species were White/Cream Avens (Geum sp.), White Snakeroot (Eupatorium rugosum) and Wild Grape (Vitis aestivalis). Honeysuckle returned within two years after removal and persisted, but Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata) was replaced as native species re-established. Honeysuckle reduced vascular species richness to 34 in both removal plots compared to 43 in the control. Seedling establishment corresponded with mature trees, except for Mulberry (Morus sp.) seedlings recruited in the recently removed plot. While ground cover did not differ significantly (average of 77 ± 3 %), moisture and light may contribute to differences in plot species. Canopy dynamics and spring ephemerals must be integrated with the herbaceous, shrub and tree canopies to understand woodland recovery. Species diversity and abundance results suggest that with management of invasive non-natives, woodlands can be restored to native health.
KEY WORDS: Amur honeysuckle, Eastern deciduous woodlands