Abundance of False Brome invasion in relation to distance from Oak Creek
Apachino Villarreal
Introduction Invasive species have been introduced to many ecosystems and can have detrimental effects due to their dominance and ability to spread easily. When an invasive species is introduced to a new ecosystem, it begins spreading and outcompeting the smaller species and creating a new type of vegetation that is not beneficial to the community. An introduced species can spread differently based on existing plant abundance and how the alien species can pollinate seedlings in any area. If the community is based near a water source, there can be a lot of competition for the ideal area of growth and energy. When there is less plant competition, an introduced species can invade much more easily and exploit resources , creating an “invasion window” (Johnstone 1986). With false brome, Brachypodium sylvaticum, it can be extremely invasive to an ecosystem by preventing saplings and other small herbaceous species from spreading (Davis 2000). The purpose of this study was to use the data collected to help determine if distance from a major water source influenced how well B. sylvaticum could invade and grow. It could help give a solution on where controlling invasion would be most significant in an ecosystem threatened by Brachypodium sylvaticum. Plants …show more content…
This was repeated for soil, rock, tree, False Brome, etc. for complete analysis. If this was a pull plot, False Brome was pulled within the quadrat and the surrounding area. If this was a pull plot, the steps for determining coverage of plants were repeated. At the corners of the quadrat, tree density was measured by finding the nearest sapling and tree in the direction of the quadrat corner. Using the DBH tape, diameter of the trees and saplings were recorded and tree species was recorded. This was done in both non-pull and pull
Apachino Villarreal
Introduction Invasive species have been introduced to many ecosystems and can have detrimental effects due to their dominance and ability to spread easily. When an invasive species is introduced to a new ecosystem, it begins spreading and outcompeting the smaller species and creating a new type of vegetation that is not beneficial to the community. An introduced species can spread differently based on existing plant abundance and how the alien species can pollinate seedlings in any area. If the community is based near a water source, there can be a lot of competition for the ideal area of growth and energy. When there is less plant competition, an introduced species can invade much more easily and exploit resources , creating an “invasion window” (Johnstone 1986). With false brome, Brachypodium sylvaticum, it can be extremely invasive to an ecosystem by preventing saplings and other small herbaceous species from spreading (Davis 2000). The purpose of this study was to use the data collected to help determine if distance from a major water source influenced how well B. sylvaticum could invade and grow. It could help give a solution on where controlling invasion would be most significant in an ecosystem threatened by Brachypodium sylvaticum. Plants …show more content…
This was repeated for soil, rock, tree, False Brome, etc. for complete analysis. If this was a pull plot, False Brome was pulled within the quadrat and the surrounding area. If this was a pull plot, the steps for determining coverage of plants were repeated. At the corners of the quadrat, tree density was measured by finding the nearest sapling and tree in the direction of the quadrat corner. Using the DBH tape, diameter of the trees and saplings were recorded and tree species was recorded. This was done in both non-pull and pull