Final published version
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Influence of land use and site characteristics on invasive plant abundance in the Quinebaug Highlands of southern New England
AU - Lundgren, MR
AU - Small, CJ
AU - Dreyer, GD
PY - 2004
Y1 - 2004
N2 - Invasive exotic plants have been identified as one of the major threats to ecosystem function and biodiversity. This study examined the distribution and abundance (cover and frequency) of invasive plants in natural habitats of the Quinebaug Highlands forest block ( 13,760 ha) of northern Connecticut and southern Massachusetts in relation to current and historical land use and site conditions. Multiple regression and GIS analyses were used to identify areas of high infestation and factors most useful in predicting invasions. Celastrus orbiculatus, Rosa multiflora, and Berberis thunbergii were the most frequent invasives. Past land use was the strongest predictor of invasive cover (r(2) = 0.219) and richness (r(2) = 0.303; p <0.001 both regressions). Current land development and physical soil characteristics were also strongly correlated. These results add to our understanding of factors promoting plant invasions. Because invasive species control in natural areas is time- and resource-intensive, this information may enhance conservation efforts by increasing efficiency in predicting and managing biological invasions.
AB - Invasive exotic plants have been identified as one of the major threats to ecosystem function and biodiversity. This study examined the distribution and abundance (cover and frequency) of invasive plants in natural habitats of the Quinebaug Highlands forest block ( 13,760 ha) of northern Connecticut and southern Massachusetts in relation to current and historical land use and site conditions. Multiple regression and GIS analyses were used to identify areas of high infestation and factors most useful in predicting invasions. Celastrus orbiculatus, Rosa multiflora, and Berberis thunbergii were the most frequent invasives. Past land use was the strongest predictor of invasive cover (r(2) = 0.219) and richness (r(2) = 0.303; p <0.001 both regressions). Current land development and physical soil characteristics were also strongly correlated. These results add to our understanding of factors promoting plant invasions. Because invasive species control in natural areas is time- and resource-intensive, this information may enhance conservation efforts by increasing efficiency in predicting and managing biological invasions.
KW - CELASTRUS-ORBICULATUS
KW - NEW-YORK
KW - UNITED-STATES
KW - USE HISTORY
KW - FOREST
KW - VEGETATION
KW - GROWTH
KW - ROADS
KW - DISTURBANCE
KW - DYNAMICS
U2 - 10.1656/1092-6194(2004)011[0313:IOLUAS]2.0.CO;2
DO - 10.1656/1092-6194(2004)011[0313:IOLUAS]2.0.CO;2
M3 - Journal article
VL - 11
SP - 313
EP - 332
JO - Northeastern naturalist
JF - Northeastern naturalist
SN - 1092-6194
IS - 3
ER -