Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-4rdpn Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-19T04:19:14.084Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Population Biology of Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata) in Minnesota Hardwood Forests

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Laura C. Van Riper ,
Roger L. Becker  and
Luke C. Skinner
Laura C. Van Riper
Affiliation:
Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108
Roger L. Becker
Affiliation:
Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108
Luke C. Skinner*
Affiliation:
Invasive Species Unit, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, St. Paul, MN 55155
*
Corresponding author's E-mail: [email protected]
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Garlic mustard, a biennial forb native to Europe, has invaded native ecosystems in forested regions in the United States. In anticipation of a biological control program being implemented in the United States for this plant, a garlic mustard monitoring program was initiated. The objective of this study was to characterize garlic mustard populations and the associated plant communities and their response to environmental conditions in Minnesota hardwood forest ecosystems. Additionally, we developed a baseline for long-term studies to determine future benefits and impacts of biological control agents on plant communities infested with garlic mustard, should they be released. To monitor garlic mustard populations, we used a nationally standardized protocol in which data were collected on garlic mustard population density and cover, garlic mustard plant heights and silique production, insect damage to garlic mustard, cover of the associated plant community, and litter cover. We also collected data on available photosynthetically active radiation in the understory. The results underscore the variability in garlic mustard population dynamics. At only 6 of 12 sites did garlic mustard densities follow the predicted two-point cycles due to their biennial life cycle, with the first- or second-year life stage dominating in any given year. Available light did not differ strongly among sites, but shading by adult plants is implicated in keeping the populations of first-year plants low. Sites with greater garlic mustard cover had lower native species richness and cover than sites with lower garlic mustard cover. Absent biological control agents, garlic mustard is currently experiencing very little herbivory in Minnesota with an average of 2% of leaf area removed by herbivores. Our work shows the importance of pre-release monitoring at multiple sites over multiple years to adequately characterize populations. Without control, garlic mustard will likely continue to have negative impacts on northern forests.

Keywords

Garlic mustard, Alliaria petiolata (Bieb.) Cavara & GrandePre-release monitoringinvasive speciesbiological controlherbivorypopulation cyclingbiennial
Type
Research
Information
Invasive Plant Science and Management , Volume 3 , Issue 1 , May 2010 , pp. 48 - 59
Copyright
Copyright © Weed Science Society of America 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Literature Cited

Bartuszevige, A. M., Hrenko, R. L., and Gorchov, D. L. 2007. Effects of leaf litter on establishment, growth and survival of invasive plant seedlings in a deciduous forest. Am. Midl. Nat 158:472–477.Google Scholar
Blossey, B. 1999. Before, during and after: the need for long-term monitoring in invasive plant species management. Biol. Invasions 1:301–311.Google Scholar
Blossey, B., Nuzzo, V. A., Hinz, H. L., and Gerber, E. 2001. Developing biological control of Alliaria petiolata (M. Bieb.) Cavara and Grande (garlic mustard). Nat. Areas J 21:357–367.Google Scholar
Blossey, B., Nuzzo, V. A., Maerz, J., and Davalos, A. 2005. Ecosystem impacts of Alliaria petiolata (garlic mustard). Pages 1–3. in. Proceedings: Symposium on the Biology, Ecology, and Management of Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata) and European Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica). St. Paul, MN USDA Forest Service.Google Scholar
Bohlen, P. J., Groffman, P. M., Fahey, T. J., Fisk, M. C., Suarez, E., Pelletier, D. M., and Fahey, R. T. 2004. Ecosystem consequences of exotic earthworm invasion of north temperate forests. Ecosystems 7:1–12.Google Scholar
Carlson, A. M. and Gorchov, D. L. 2004. Effects of herbicide on the invasive biennial Alliaria petiolata (garlic mustard) and initial responses of native plants in a southwestern Ohio forest. Restor. Ecol 12:559–567.Google Scholar
Cavers, P. B., Heagy, M. I., and Kokron, R. F. 1979. The biology of Canadian weeds. 35. Alliaria petiolata (M. Bieb.) Cavara and Grande. Can. J. Plant Sci 59:217–229.Google Scholar
Davis, A. S., Landis, D. A., Nuzzo, V. A., Blossey, B., Gerber, E., and Hinz, H. L. 2006. Demographic models inform selection of biocontrol agents for garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata). Ecol. Appl 16:2399–2410.Google Scholar
Eschtruth, A. K. and Battles, J. J. 2009a. Acceleration of exotic plant invasion in a forested ecosystem by a generalist herbivore. Conserv. Biol 23:388–399.Google Scholar
Eschtruth, A. K. and Battles, J. J. 2009b. Assessing the relative importance of disturbance, herbivory, diversity, and propagule pressure in exotic plant invasion. Ecol. Monogr 79:265–280.Google Scholar
Evans, J. A. and Landis, D. A. 2007. Pre-release monitoring of Alliaria petiolata (garlic mustard) invasions and the impacts of extant natural enemies in southern Michigan forests. Biol. Control 42:300–307.Google Scholar
Gerber, E., Hinz, H. L., and Blossey, B. 2007a. Interaction of specialist root and shoot herbivores of Alliaria petiolata and their impact on plant performance and reproduction. Ecol. Entomol 32:357–365.Google Scholar
Gerber, E., Hinz, H. L., and Blossey, B. 2007b. Impact of the belowground herbivore and potential biological control agent, Ceutorhynchus scrobicollis, on Alliaria petiolata performance. Biol. Control 42:355–364.Google Scholar
Hale, C. M., Frelich, L. E., and Reich, P. B. 2005. Exotic European earthworm invasion dynamics in northern hardwood forests of Minnesota, USA. Ecol. Appl 15:848–860.Google Scholar
Hochstedler, W. W. and Gorchov, D. L. 2007. The effects of June precipitation on Alliaria petioiata (garlic mustard) growth, density and survival. Ohio J. Sci 107:26–31.Google Scholar
Hochstedler, W. W., Slaughter, B. S., Gorchov, D. L., Saunders, L. P., and Stevens, H. H. 2007. Forest floor plant community response to experimental control of the invasive biennial, Alliaria petiolata (garlic mustard). J. Torrey Bot. Soc 134:155–165.Google Scholar
Katovich, E. J. S., Becker, R. L., Ragsdale, D. W., and Skinner, L. C. 2005. Host range testing of garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) biocontrol insects in Minnesota. Pages 17–18. in. Proceedings: Symposium on the Biology, Ecology, and Management of Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata) and European Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica). St. Paul, MN USDA Forest Service.Google Scholar
McCarthy, B. C. 1997. Response of a forest understory community to experimental removal of an invasive nonindigenous plant (Alliaria petiolata, Brassicaceae). Pages 117–130. in Luken, J. O. and Thieret, J. W. Assessment and Management of Plant Invasions. New York Springer-Verlag.Google Scholar
Meekins, J. F. and McCarthy, B. C. 2000. Responses of the biennial forest herb Alliaria petiolata to variation in population density, nutrient addition and light availability. J. Ecol 88:447–463.Google Scholar
Meekins, J. F. and McCarthy, B. C. 2002. Effect of population density on the demography of an invasive plant (Alliaria petiolata, Brassicaceae) population in a southeastern Ohio forest. Am. Midl. Nat 147:256–278.Google Scholar
Meekins, J. F., Ballard, H. E., and McCarthy, B. C. 2001. Genetic variation and molecular biogeography of a North American invasive plant species (Alliaria petiolata, Brassicaceae). Int. J. Plant Sci 162:161–169.Google Scholar
Minnesota Climatology Working Group 2009. http://climate.umn.edu/text/historical/msppre.txt. Accessed: March 4, 2009.Google Scholar
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources 2009. Species List for Minnesota. http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/ecological_services/plant_list9-25-02.pdf. Accessed: February 2, 2009.Google Scholar
Myers, C. V., Anderson, R. C., and Byers, D. L. 2005. Influence of shading on the growth and leaf photosynthesis of the invasive non-indigenous plant garlic mustard [Alliaria petiolata (M. Bieb) Cavara and Grande] grown under simulated late-winter to mid-spring conditions. J. Torrey Bot. Soc 132:1–10.Google Scholar
Nuzzo, V. A. 1999. Invasion pattern of the herb garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) in high quality forests. Biol. Invasions 1:169–179.Google Scholar
Nuzzo, V. A., Maerz, J. C., and Blossey, B. 2009. Earthworm invasion as the driving force behind plant invasion and community change in northeastern North American forests. Conserv. Biol 23:966–974.Google Scholar
Oehlert, G. W. and Bingham, C. 2005. MacAnova 5.05. University of Minnesota. http://www.stat.umn.edu/macanova. Accessed: September 6, 2005.Google Scholar
Pardini, E. A., Drake, J. M., Chase, J. M., and Knight, T. M. 2009. Complex population dynamics and control of the invasive biennial Alliaria petiolata (garlic mustard). Ecol. Appl 19:387–397.Google Scholar
Prati, D. and Bossdorf, O. 2004. Allelopathic inhibition of germination by Alliaria petiolata (Brassicaceae). Am. J. Bot 91:285–288.Google Scholar
Rodgers, V. L., Stinson, K. A., and Finzi, A. C. 2008. Ready or not, garlic mustard is moving in: Alliaria petiolata as a member of eastern North American forests. BioScience 58:426–436.Google Scholar
Slaughter, B. S., Hochstedler, W. W., Gorchov, D. L., and Carlson, A. M. 2007. Response of Alliaria petiolata (garlic mustard) to five years of fall herbicide application in a southern Ohio deciduous forest. J. Torrey Bot. Soc 134:18–26.Google Scholar
Statistix 7 2000. Statistix version 7.0. Tallahassee, FL Analytical Software.Google Scholar
Stinson, K. A., Campbell, S. A., Powell, J. R., Wolfe, B. E., Callaway, R. M., Thelen, G. C., Hallett, S. G., Prati, D., and Klironomos, J. N. 2006. Invasive plant suppresses the growth of native tree seedlings by disrupting belowground mutualisms. PLoS Biol 4:e140.Google Scholar
Stinson, K., Kaufman, S., Durbin, L., and Lowenstein, F. 2007. Impacts of garlic mustard invasion on a forest understory community. Northeast. Nat 14:73–88.Google Scholar
Winterer, J., Walsh, M. C., Poddar, M., Brennan, J. W., and Primak, S. M. 2005. Spatial and temporal segregation of juvenile and mature garlic mustard plants (Alliaria petiolata) in a central Pennsylvania woodland. Am. Midl. Nat 153:209–216.Google Scholar
Wolfe, B. E., Rodgers, V. L., Stinson, K. A., and Pringle, A. 2008. The invasive plant Alliaria petiolata (garlic mustard) inhibits ectomycorrhizal fungi in its introduced range. J. Ecol 96:777–783.Google Scholar