Community Change in an Eastern Indiana Forest Following Removal of an Invasive Shrub, Lonicera maackii (Family: Caprifoliaceae)

Indianapolis, IN

Lonicera maackii (Amur Honeysuckle) is a dominant invasive shrub species in many forests in the Midwestern United States. In this study, we examined the effects of L. maackii within 4 mid-successional forest plots, 2 of which have had L. maackii removed annually since 2004. We investigated whether L. maackii is competing with both native adult trees and tree seedling by exploiting sunlight and soil resources, and therefore reducing adult growth, seedling cover, and seedling distribution. Overall, our evidence indicates that L. maackii reduces native seedling height and density by shading and that L. maackii inhibits community successions. Its removal allows certain native tree seedlings to colonize. There was no indication of reduced adult tree growth in the presence of L. maackii. There was also no evidence that L. maackii changes soil organic matter, moisture, nutrients, or pH. Our study directly confirms L. maackii as a “driver” for ecological change mainly via competitive exclusion of native seedlings, and provides implications for recovery management efforts.