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Relationships between Ligustrum sinense Invasion, Biodiversity, and Development in a Mixed Bottomland Forest

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Justin L. Hart  and
Brittany N. Holmes
Justin L. Hart*
Affiliation:
Department of Geography, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487
Brittany N. Holmes
Affiliation:
Department of Geography, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487
*
Corresponding author's E-mail: hart013@bama.ua.edu
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Abstract

Invasion of closed canopy forests by shade-tolerant alien plants has the potential to modify species composition, stand structure, ecosystem function, and long-term forest development patterns. Ligustrum sinense is a shade-tolerant alien shrub that has invaded bottomland forests throughout the southeastern United States. This species has received comparatively little attention in the literature despite its potential to drastically alter invaded sites. The overarching goal of our study was to document the relationships between Ligustrum sinense invasion and woody plant biodiversity and development patterns in an intact southeastern U.S. bottomland forest. The forest was dominated by Quercus nigra and Liquidambar styraciflua. Ligustrum sinense ranked fifth in basal area contribution, occurred in 97% of our plots, and represented 95% of all understory stems. Spearman's rho for dominance (based on basal area of stems > 5 cm diameter at breast height [dbh]) of L. sinense and woody plant species richness for each plot revealed a significant negative relationship (rs = −0.69, P < 0.01). A similar relationship was revealed between L. sinense density and woody plant species diversity (rs = −0.78, P < 0.01) and evenness (rs = −0.82, P < 0.01). Spearman's rho for L. sinense density and native understory stem density (individuals ≥ 1 m height, < 5 cm dbh) also revealed a significant negative association (rs = −0.48, P < 0.01). Under the current disturbance regime and without active management, we projected the forest would shift to support a stronger component of L. sinense and that structure would transition from tree to shrub dominance for sites within the forest.

Keywords

Chinese privet, Ligustrum sinense Loursweetgum, Liquidambar styraciflua L.water oak, Quercus nigra L.Alien shrubbiodiversitybottomland forestforest developmentshade-tolerantsoutheastern United States
Type
Research
Information
Invasive Plant Science and Management , Volume 6 , Issue 1 , March 2013 , pp. 175 - 186
Copyright
Copyright © Weed Science Society of America 

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