Submission Type
Poster
Abstract
Invasive species disrupt ecosystems by competing with native plants for nutrients, leading to changes in forest biodiversity. These invasive species often lead to competitive exclusion, in which the invasives outcompete the natives for dominance. Some native species, however, show different abilities for dealing with these types of stresses. We investigated the impacts of invasive species for the Michigan Big Woods plot in Pinckney, MI, where invasive species such as Berberis thunbergii (Japanese Barberry) and Elaeagnus umbellata (Autumn Olive) are flourishing. We explored the interactions between invasive species and native tree species, especially Quercus rubra (Red Oak), Quercus alba (White Oak), Acer rubrum (Red Maple), and Prunus serotina (Black Cherry). We used both mapping and nearest-neighbor analysis to examine the effects of invasive species across three censuses, spanning 11 years (2003, 2008, and 2014). Our results suggest that invasive species have a strong impact on native tree growth, especially oaks. In the Michigan Big Woods, the oak population consisted of mostly larger individuals, with a distribution that overlapped heavily with invasive plants. In areas with many invasive plants, fewer oaks grew, likely because they struggle to compete. Red maples regenerate better, likely due to better competition. Both red maples and black cherries thrive in low light, allowing them to grow despite forest invasion. This suggests that red maples and black cherry may be more adaptable. These findings show how spatial studies help us understand ecological changes and how invasive species affect forest structure and composition over time.
Recommended Citation
Starego, Katelyn and Ochs, Alexis, "215 - Invasive Species Shift Forest Structure and Regeneration in The Michigan Big Woods" (2025). GREAT Day Posters. 62.
https://knightscholar.geneseo.edu/great-day-symposium/great-day-2025/posters-2025/62
215 - Invasive Species Shift Forest Structure and Regeneration in The Michigan Big Woods
Invasive species disrupt ecosystems by competing with native plants for nutrients, leading to changes in forest biodiversity. These invasive species often lead to competitive exclusion, in which the invasives outcompete the natives for dominance. Some native species, however, show different abilities for dealing with these types of stresses. We investigated the impacts of invasive species for the Michigan Big Woods plot in Pinckney, MI, where invasive species such as Berberis thunbergii (Japanese Barberry) and Elaeagnus umbellata (Autumn Olive) are flourishing. We explored the interactions between invasive species and native tree species, especially Quercus rubra (Red Oak), Quercus alba (White Oak), Acer rubrum (Red Maple), and Prunus serotina (Black Cherry). We used both mapping and nearest-neighbor analysis to examine the effects of invasive species across three censuses, spanning 11 years (2003, 2008, and 2014). Our results suggest that invasive species have a strong impact on native tree growth, especially oaks. In the Michigan Big Woods, the oak population consisted of mostly larger individuals, with a distribution that overlapped heavily with invasive plants. In areas with many invasive plants, fewer oaks grew, likely because they struggle to compete. Red maples regenerate better, likely due to better competition. Both red maples and black cherries thrive in low light, allowing them to grow despite forest invasion. This suggests that red maples and black cherry may be more adaptable. These findings show how spatial studies help us understand ecological changes and how invasive species affect forest structure and composition over time.
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