The Role of Leaf Out Timing and Vinca Minor Invasion on a Deciduous Understory Plant Community

Exotic plant invasions threaten biodiversity and ecosystem health. This thesis investigates the effects of the invasive plant Vinca minor on the forest plant community composition under current and future climate scenarios. Field surveys at a longstanding invasion revealed that Vinca minor reduces plant diversity and alters plant community composition while increasing soil sulfur and calcium levels. To assess current and future impacts, a mesocosm experiment simulated leaf-out times expected under climate change, employing shade and Vinca minor invasion treatments. Results suggest shade and invasion levels did not alter plant community composition or diversity. However, they impacted the growth of specific species. Notably, the presence of Vinca minor had no impact on natives Fallopia cilinodis and Acer spp. but benefited the invasive Galeopsis tetrahit. These studies suggest that Vinca minor can reduce native plant diversity and may differently affect native and exotic plants, with impacts potentially changing as climate conditions evolve.

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Guelph

Author dc:creator

• Karhi, Katja

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Dunfield, Kari
• Antunes, Pedro

• Plant Invasion
• Vinca Minor
• Climate Change
• Leaf Phenology

Statement dc:rights

• Attribution 4.0 International

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/10214/28659

OAI record oai:identifier

https://atrium.lib.uoguelph.ca/server/oai/request?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=dim&identifier=oai%3Aatrium.lib.uoguelph.ca%3A10214%2F28659