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Does a Trend in Declining Stem Density of Lepidium latifolium Indicate a Phosphorus Limitation? A Case Study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Robert R. Blank  and
Tye Morgan
Robert R. Blank*
Affiliation:
U.S. Department of Agriculture–Agricultural Research Service, Great Basin Rangelands Research Unit, 920 Valley Road, Reno NV 89512
Tye Morgan
Affiliation:
U.S. Department of Agriculture–Agricultural Research Service, Great Basin Rangelands Research Unit, 920 Valley Road, Reno NV 89512
*
Corresponding author's E-mail:bob.blank@ars.usda.gov
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Abstract

Lepidium latifolium (perennial pepperweed) is a weedy alien crucifer that has invaded wetlands throughout the western United States. We monitored L. latifolium invasion of an Elytrigia elongata (tall wheatgrass) community at the Honey Lake Wildlife Refuge in northeastern California. In 1993, a 40-m2 plot was delineated, at which time only two single plants of L. latifolium were present. Beginning in 1994, L. latifolium stem density was measured yearly until 2011. From 1994 through 2000, the density of L. latifolium increased to greater than 120 stems m−2. At its height of stem density and stature between 1998 and 2000, it appeared that E. elongata had been extirpated. From 2001 through 2006, stem density and plant stature of L. latifolium declined, but there were still areas of the plot where stem density exceeded 60 stems m−2. From 2007 through 2009, stem density decreased considerably and averaged less than 30 stems m−2 and a healthy recovery of E. elongata occurred. In the years 2010 and especially 2011, stem density increased, but individual plants were small in stature. Soil bicarbonate-extractable phosphorus data suggest that phosphorus availability may be crucial to the invasiveness of L. latifolium. Long-term biogeochemical cycling by L. latifolium may reduce soil phosphorus availability in deeper soil horizons and enrich availability in the soil surface, which alters the competitive relationship between L. latifolium and E. elongata.

Keywords

Perennial pepperweed. Lepidium latifolium L.tall wheatgrass, Elytrigia elongata Host (Nevski)Invasive plantsperennial pepperweedsoil nutrient availabilitytall wheatgrass
Type
Research Article
Information
Invasive Plant Science and Management , Volume 7 , Issue 3 , September 2014 , pp. 526 - 531
Copyright
Copyright © Weed Science Society of America 

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