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Effects of invasive Amur honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii) and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) on native plants, leaf litter communities, and soil

Christopher, Cory C.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1212097775

Abstract Details

2008, PhD, University of Cincinnati, Arts and Sciences : Biological Sciences.
In the Midwest US, invasion by Amur honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii) reduces diversity, growth, and reproduction of native plants, and browsing by overabundant white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) may compound these impacts. Few studies, however, have determined whether these species act in concert to alter native plants, or whether these species impact litter invertebrate communities or forest soil. Using a combination of exclusion of white-tailed deer and removal of Amur honeysuckle, I measured individual and combined impacts of these species on diversity, abundance, and community composition of understory herbs and litter-dwelling invertebrates. I also examined whether deer or honeysuckle affected litter substrate composition, litter depth, soil compaction, and soil microbial activity. Amur honeysuckle, but not white-tailed deer, altered composition of forest understory herb and invertebrate communities, and had variable, but significant, effects on abundance and diversity of different herb species and invertebrate orders. Deer reduced invertebrate abundance but did not affect diversity or composition of invertebrates. Neither deer nor honeysuckle affected composition of litter substrate, mass of leaf fall, or litter depth. Leaf decomposition was similar across treatments. Soil compaction was greater in plots containing either deer or honeysuckle, but removal of honeysuckle and exclusion of deer reduced this effect. There were no interactions between deer and honeysuckle on decomposition of leaf litter or compaction of soil. Microbial activity was greater in homogenized topsoil when topped with decomposing leaves of honeysuckle than when under leaves of sugar maple. However, microbial activity in soil taken from an invaded area of forest was similar to that from adjacent uninvaded areas. The variable effects of white-tailed deer and Amur honeysuckle on different taxa and levels of organization requires that management of these species utilize habitat and taxa-specific control and restoration strategies. Future studies addressing impacts of invasive plants or over-abundant ungulates would benefit by combining population-level questions with higher-level questions asking how these pest species alter community structure or ecosystem functions.
Guy Cameron (Committee Chair)
Theresa Culley (Committee Member)
George Uetz (Committee Member)
Eric Maurer (Committee Member)
David Gorchov (Committee Member)
150 p.
Biology; Botany; Ecology; Forestry; Zoology
white-tailed deer; herbivory; Amur honeysuckle; invasive; litter decomposition; wildflowers; invertebrates

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Christopher, C. C. (2008). Effects of invasive Amur honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii) and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) on native plants, leaf litter communities, and soil [Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1212097775

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Christopher, Cory. Effects of invasive Amur honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii) and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) on native plants, leaf litter communities, and soil. 2008. University of Cincinnati, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1212097775.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Christopher, Cory. "Effects of invasive Amur honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii) and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) on native plants, leaf litter communities, and soil." Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati, 2008. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1212097775

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ucin1212097775
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© 2008, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.