The ecological consequences of knotweed invasion into riparian forests
Urgenson LS. 2006. The ecological consequences of knotweed invasion into riparian forests. University of Washington
From the Abstract: "This research investigates two suspected impacts of knotweed's invasion: 1) the displacement of native riparian plant communities and biodiversity, and 2) alteration of the quantity and nutrient quality of riparian leaf litter inputs into streams....Study results indicate a negative correlation between knotweed invasion and the species richness and abundance of native understory herbs, shrubs, and juvenile trees. A reduction in riparian tree establishment could have detrimental and long lasting effects on the successional trajectory of riparian forests, bank stability, hydrology, nutrient loading, micro-habitat conditions and aquatic biota of adjacent lotic systems. In addition to the displacement of native vegetation, data suggest that knotweed invasion alters stream nutrient subsidies from riparian litterfall."
- Type
- Academic
- Authors
- Urgenson, Lauren
- Date of Issue
- 2006
- Publisher
- University of Washington
- Units
- OLYM
- Keywords
- bohemian knotweed (Polygonum bohemicum), Exotic Species, giant knotweed (Polygonum sachalinense), Japanese knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum), knotweed (Polygonum sp.), Nutrient Cycling, Plant Studies, Riparian, Thesis, Weed