Research Accomplishment Reports 2010

Assessing the Invasion Pattern of Exotic Plants in Forest Ecosystems in Kentucky

S. Fei
Department of Forestry

 

Non-Technical Summary

Our ability to effectively prevent and/or mitigate the invasion of exotic species is hindered by the limited knowledge of understanding and predicting the spatial invasion patterns of exotic species. This project will a)quantify the spatial distribution and abundance of invasive exotic plant species in forest ecosystems in Kentucky as a function of landscape structure, disturbance, and other influential factors; and b) develop predictive models to detect, monitor, prevent, and mitigate the invasion of exotic plant species in forest ecosystems in Kentucky.

2010 Project Description

Activities: 1.Field data on over 200 plots in Jefferson Memorial Forest have been analyzed. 2.Field data on near 300 plots in Robinson Forest have been collected. 3.Field sample of hyper-spectral images on invasive and native species have been analyzed and presented. 4.A state-wide weedy invasive species survey based on two sources of data, Kentucky Weed Identification Form and Herbaria records has been conducted.

Events: 1.Introduced the invasive species concepts and management options to students during the 2010 UK Forestry Summer Camp in Robinson Forest. 2.A region-wide invasive species conference is in the planning stage.

Products: 1.An invasive species database for Jefferson Memorial Forest. 2.An invasive species database for Robinson Forest. 3.A weedy invasive species database for Kentucky. 4.A new method to map understory invasive species using high resolution aerial photos with a feature based remote sensing program.

Dissemination: 1.The proceedings of the 2008 Kentucky Invasive Species Conference were distributed to over 150 natural resource managers, landscaping and nursery industries, researchers and general public. 2.Call for paper and participation for the 2011 Invasive Species Conference was distributed region wide.

2010 Impact

1. The summer camp program raised the awareness of college students (12 students total) about the impact of invasive species and the available management options.

2. Our invasive species website has been visited many times during 2010.

3. Our call for paper and participation of the 2011 Invasive Species Conference has reached to thousands of practitioner, researchers and land owners.

4. Our new method of mapping understory invasive species can assist mapping the precise spatial distribution of invasive species.

2010 Publications

Liang, Y. 2010. Exotic Invasive Plants in Kentucky. M.S. Thesis. University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY.

Shouse, M.L. 2010. Identifying Spatial Patterns of Exotic Plants in Urban Ecosystems. M.S. Thesis. University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY.

Fei, S., P. Gould, M. Kaeser, and K. Steiner. 2010. Distribution and Dynamics of the Invasive Native Species Dennstaedtia punctilobula. Weed Science 58: 408-412

Shouse, M. and S. Fei. Modeling Invasive Exotic Plant Distrbution in an Urban Forest. The Society of American Foresters 90th National Convention. Oct. 27-31, 2010. Albuquerque, NM.

Devine, K. and S. Fei. Post-Harvest Establishment and Impacts of Exotic Invasive Plants on Native Woody Regeneration in Eastern Kentucky. The Society of American Foresters 90th National Convention. Oct. 27-31, 2010. Albuquerque, NM.

Fei, S., J. Clark, and L. Rieske-Kinney. Large Scale Mapping of Eastern Hemlock. Ecological Society of American 94th annual meeting. Aug. 1-6, 2010. Pittsburgh, PA.

Shouse, M. and S. Fei. Identifying Invasive Exotic Species and Native Vegetation Using Hyperspectral Remote Sensing. 55th Association of American Geographers 2010 Annual Meeting. Apr. 14-18, 2010. Washington, DC.