Biology & Sustainability

Event Title

Preliminary Research on Methods for Eradicating Autumn Olive

Document Type

Oral Presentation

Location

Indianapolis, IN

Subject Area

Biology & Sustainability

Start Date

11-4-2014 10:45 AM

End Date

11-4-2014 11:45 AM

Description

Autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellate) is a deciduous shrub that is indigenous to China, Korea, and Japan. It was introduced into the United States in 1830, and today it is one of the most concerning invasive species. Autumn olive forms a dense canopy, creates poor soil conditions, reproduces rapidly and is dispersed quickly by birds. We began a transect study focusing on two goals: 1) to observe how Autumn olive affects the ecology of native species and 2) to find the most effective method to eradicate well established populations. We established fifteen 10 m2 plots and applied three treatments: destruction (cut out and spray entire plot with herbicide; N = 5), removal (cut out and paint stems with herbicide; N = 5), and control (original condition; N = 5). Prior to applying treatments to any plots, we recorded stem counts of all saplings and trees, stem diameter, vegetation and litter cover, canopy cover, and sapling and tree species. Considering the importance of mature deciduous trees in this community, the importance value of Ash trees (Genus Fraxinus) overwhelmingly exceeded any other species. Dense autumn olive populations coupled with the inevitable invasion of the emerald ash borer will have serious implications on forests with similar composition. Shade tolerance will play a major role in future of this forest, as autumn olive forms a dense canopy and prevents recruitment of species that are intolerant to shade.

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Apr 11th, 10:45 AM Apr 11th, 11:45 AM

Preliminary Research on Methods for Eradicating Autumn Olive

Indianapolis, IN

Autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellate) is a deciduous shrub that is indigenous to China, Korea, and Japan. It was introduced into the United States in 1830, and today it is one of the most concerning invasive species. Autumn olive forms a dense canopy, creates poor soil conditions, reproduces rapidly and is dispersed quickly by birds. We began a transect study focusing on two goals: 1) to observe how Autumn olive affects the ecology of native species and 2) to find the most effective method to eradicate well established populations. We established fifteen 10 m2 plots and applied three treatments: destruction (cut out and spray entire plot with herbicide; N = 5), removal (cut out and paint stems with herbicide; N = 5), and control (original condition; N = 5). Prior to applying treatments to any plots, we recorded stem counts of all saplings and trees, stem diameter, vegetation and litter cover, canopy cover, and sapling and tree species. Considering the importance of mature deciduous trees in this community, the importance value of Ash trees (Genus Fraxinus) overwhelmingly exceeded any other species. Dense autumn olive populations coupled with the inevitable invasion of the emerald ash borer will have serious implications on forests with similar composition. Shade tolerance will play a major role in future of this forest, as autumn olive forms a dense canopy and prevents recruitment of species that are intolerant to shade.