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Response of Microstegium vimineum and Lonicera japonica to continuous cover forestry practices

Study on forest management practices’ impact on Nepalese browntop and Japanese honeysuckle, addressing seedling growth in different light regimes. Findings suggest varying responses and potential herbicide need for control.

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Response of Microstegium vimineum and Lonicera japonica to continuous cover forestry practices

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  1. Response of Microstegium vimineum and Lonicera japonica to continuous cover forestry practices N. J. Loewenstein, E.F. Loewenstein, J. M. Lhotka and B.J. Ostrom

  2. Microstegium vimineumNepalese browntop, Japanese stiltgrass, Mary’s grass • Annual C4 grass • Shade tolerant • Shallow roots • Mesic soils • Most of eastern US • Class C noxious weed in Alabama

  3. Lonicera japonicaJapanese honeysuckle • Semievergreen to evergreen woody vine • Shade tolerant • Tolerates a wide range of site conditions • Most of US • Ornamental and deer browse

  4. Background • Silviculture study looking at forest management options for private landowners at the urban-rural interface • Continuous cover forest management • Promote the continued establishment and development of tree reproduction

  5. Silviculture study objectives • Apply gradient of cutting regimes. • Quantify the relationship between residual forest structure and understory microclimate (especially light). • Assess the relationship between the understory environment and seedling growth response.

  6. Quantifying Forest Environment Vertical and horizontal structure Understory microclimate Assessing Relationships Between: Canopy structure and light transmittance Canopy structure and development of planted cherrybark oak, yellow poplar, and water oak seedlings Canopy structure, light transmittance and growth of Microstegium and Lonicera

  7. Fifty 0.05 ha plots in riparian hardwood forest Structural manipulations: Control: No trees cut Light cut: 1/3 of all midstory trees cut Moderate cut: 1/2 of all midstory trees cut Heavy cut: all midstory trees cut Uncut Heavy cut

  8. Gradient in forest structure

  9. Light regimes in four representative plots

  10. Methods • Biomass • Percent cover - 1 m2 plots (spring and late summer) • Clip plots (late summer) • Photosynthesis • Photosynthetic light curves • Fecundity • Clip plots (after seed set)

  11. Above-ground biomass

  12. Photosynthetic Light Curves

  13. Chasmogamous flowers- flowers that open, exposing stamens and styles to the environment allowing potential cross-pollination Cleistogomous flowers-flowers that do not open and are self-pollinated

  14. Microstegium fecundity

  15. Conclusions • Microstegium was more responsive than Lonicera to the moderate increase in light. • First year results may not fully reflect the potential impact of Lonicera. • Herbicide treatments may be required.

  16. Acknowledgements • Field site: Blanton Creek Wildlife Management Area, Georgia Power and Georgia DNR • Field and lab assistance: Gayla Trouse • Funding: Center for Forest Sustainability, Auburn University

  17. Questions?

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