Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

Files

File List


ohiou1307047314.pdf (634.85 KB)

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

Invasions of Secondary Forest by a Nonnative Grass Species: Microstegium vimineum {Nees}(Poaceae)

Miller, Nathaniel P.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1307047314

Abstract Details

2011, Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, Environmental and Plant Biology (Arts and Sciences).
Shade-tolerant invasive plant species are threatening deciduous forest communities of the eastern United States, but their method of invasion remains unclear. We test the idea that arrival of one such species, the non-native annual grass Microstegium vimineum {Nees}(Poaceae), is facilitated by movement of humans or animals by direct observation of distributions along movement corridors over two years. Weak colonization of experimental plots shows that Microstegium is limited by seed availability, and to a lesser extent litter cover, in the absence of human or animal movement. Inconsistent extension of populations along off-road-vehicle trails, small roads, and stream sides did not indicate increased movement of seeds by vehicles, road equipment, and water in my field sites. Saturation of isolated roadside sites demonstrates that within-site colonization is very rapid relative to colonization between sites. Little extension along footpaths and horse trails implies that pedestrian and horse movements are not important mechanisms of invasion. Dispersal experiments indicate that adhesion may be a feasible dispersion technique for Microstegium vimineum, and may dictate the spatial patterns of colonization. These results suggest that Microstegium invasions are spatially hierarchical, with different mechanisms acting on different scales, and that invasion may take place in series of explosions of growth and periods of little or no growth. Management focused on controlling dispersal and focusing efforts on the local scale will be most effective at controlling the spread of this species.
Matlack Glenn, PhD (Advisor)
Phillip Cantino, PhD (Committee Member)
Harvey Ballard, PhD (Committee Member)
78 p.
Ecology
invasive species; ecology; invasion

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Miller, N. P. (2011). Invasions of Secondary Forest by a Nonnative Grass Species: Microstegium vimineum {Nees}(Poaceae) [Master's thesis, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1307047314

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Miller, Nathaniel. Invasions of Secondary Forest by a Nonnative Grass Species: Microstegium vimineum {Nees}(Poaceae). 2011. Ohio University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1307047314.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Miller, Nathaniel. "Invasions of Secondary Forest by a Nonnative Grass Species: Microstegium vimineum {Nees}(Poaceae)." Master's thesis, Ohio University, 2011. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1307047314

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ohiou1307047314
377
© 2011, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Ohio University and OhioLINK.