Abstract Detail

Teaching Section

Webster, Jeff [1], Street, Daejon [2], Cook, Cassara [3], Krakos, Kyra [4], Hulsey, Ryan [4], Hendrix, Melisa [5], Hoeft, Adam [2].

Student Sustainability Project: Testing the effects of adult and juvenile plant management on reproductive output for the invasive Bush Honeysuckle (Lonicera maakii).

Bush honeysuckle is an invasive plant that is prevalent on the Maryville college campus and throughout Missouri. This project was designed and implemented by students in order to manage the spread of invasive honeysuckle on the college campus by testing management techniques for both adult and juvenile plants. Part I: We tested the effect of girdling adult trees on reproductive success. At each experimental site on campus (n = 20 sites) we had 4 treatments: girdling, double girdling, cut down and a control group. Mature branches were bagged, and at the end of the growing season the number of flowers and seeds produced were collected. We used ANOVA to compare the final seed and flower sets among treatment groups. Part 2: Student volunteers cleared approximately an acre of the invasive honeysuckle and replanted the area with native seed. An experimental grid was established at the cleared sites. Honeysuckle begins growing about 3 weeks prior to native seed germination. Prior to the native seed germination, goats were allowed to graze in randomized sections of the grid. Weekly transects were conducted to monitor the number and type of plants throughout the early spring and summer. We then compared the native species richness and presence or absence of honeysuckle growth between the grid plots. Our results indicate that double girdling shows the highest success in preventing seed set. Our results also showed an increase in native plant species richness in areas where juvenile honeysuckle plants were grazed by goats. The results of this study will help in our understanding of how to successfully manage this plant, and reduce its impact on our Maryville campus. In addition, it provided data on the restoration success of native MO plants. This project assisted in the education of Maryville students, faculty, and the community around on the negative impact of invasive plants and the importance of biodiversity in a healthy ecosystem.

Broader Impacts:

1 - Maryville University, Environmental Sciences, 650 Maryville University Dr, St. Louis , Mo, 63141, USA
2 - Maryville University, Biology, 650 Maryville University Dr, St. Louis, Mo., 63141, USA
3 - Maryville University, Biology, 650 Maryville University Dr, St. Louis, Mo, 63141, USA
4 - Maryville University, Biology, 650 Maryville University, St Louis, MO, 63141, USA
5 - Maryville University, 650 Maryville University Dr, St. Louis, Mo, 63141, USA

Keywords:
invasive species
education
Plant Management
Native Species.

Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Sections
Session: P
Location: Grand Salon A - D/Riverside Hilton
Date: Monday, July 29th, 2013
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PTE005
Abstract ID:475
Candidate for Awards:None