Seasonal correlations between Pueraria montana var. lobata and avian species diversity and relative abundance in Hamilton County, Tennessee

Invasive species exist outside of their native ranges and can cause environmental harm where they have been introduced. One such species is kudzu (Pueraria montana var. lobata), an invasive vine in the southeastern U.S. Although kudzu is one of the most common invasive species management concerns in the Southeast, there is little quantitative data documenting its effects on native species. This study examines the seasonal correlations between kudzu and avian species diversity and relative abundance in Hamilton County, Tennessee. By measuring the characteristics of the overstory, midstory, and understory vegetation at sites with differing levels of kudzu coverage, I examined correlations between kudzu density and avian demographics. Kudzu coverage had a significant negative impact on avian diversity and species richness, as well as on native vegetation. Kudzu’s alteration of vegetation structure, through the creation of a monoculture and subsequent reduction of structural diversity, was likely the cause of reduced avian diversity and richness due to a decrease in the availability of structurally oriented guilds.

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Author dc:creator

• Hudson, Amelia

Contributors dc:contributor

• Aborn, David A.
• Boyd, Jennifer N.; Klug, Hope M.
• College of Arts and Sciences

• Species diversity

Licence

• https://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en

Language dc:language

English, eng

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholar.utc.edu/theses/82

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholar.utc.edu:theses-1088