Date on Master's Thesis/Doctoral Dissertation
8-2013
Document Type
Master's Thesis
Degree Name
M.S.
Department
Biology
Committee Chair
Emery, Sarah M.
Author's Keywords
Invasive species; Aquatic insects; Stream ecology; Bush honeysuckle; Riparian invasion
Subject
Honeysuckles; Invasive plants; Stream ecology
Abstract
Lonicera maackii (amur honeysuckle) is an aggressive alien shrub that invades many habitats in the Eastern United States, including along streambanks. This study investigated the direct and indirect effects of L. maackii invasion on leaf litter decomposition in an urban stream by placing leaf litter packs of L. maackii and the native Acer saccharum (sugar maple) in stream segments invaded by or managed for L. maackii. We found L. maackii litter decomposed two times faster than native A. saccharum, and A. saccharum leaf litter supported a higher abundance of macroinvertebrates than L. maackii. Functional feeding groups of macroinvertebrates were also affected by the invasive species; significantly more scraper-gatherers were associated with A. saccharum litter, and predators were positively associated with both A. saccharum and invaded sites. Additional indirect effects of L. maackii presence along streambanks on leaf decomposition and macroinvertebrate communities were negligible, possibly due to overriding effects of urbanization.
Recommended Citation
Fargen, Catherine A., "Influence of Lonicera maackii on leaf litter decomposition and macroinvertebrate communities in an urban stream." (2013). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 427.
https://doi.org/10.18297/etd/427
