How to translate text using browser tools
1 April 2009 Modes of Crown Vetch Invasion and Persistence
David A. Losure, Kirk A. Moloney, Brian J. Wilsey
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

Plant invasions have been hypothesized to proceed at the local scale (i.e., individual patch or stand) according to one of several distinct spatial patterns. However, few studies have attempted to reconstruct the patterns of perennial herbaceous plant invasions at local scales due to difficulty in determining the age of individuals. We used herb chronology to determine the ages of roots within several crown vetch patches in order to characterize the spatial age structure of these patches. Additionally, we examined both sexual and vegetative crown vetch reproduction, with regard to potential impacts on local spread and persistence, through seed bank sampling and greenhouse experiments. We found little distinct spatial age structuring in crown vetch patches, perhaps due to a lack of older roots caused by rapid ramet turnover within patches. We also found no support for the hypothesis, proposed by several land managers, that crown vetch builds up a large seed bank. However, we did find that even small fragments of crown vetch plants are capable of vegetative regeneration, which may be important in explaining this species' persistence in spite of control measures.

David A. Losure, Kirk A. Moloney, and Brian J. Wilsey "Modes of Crown Vetch Invasion and Persistence," The American Midland Naturalist 161(2), 232-242, (1 April 2009). https://doi.org/10.1674/0003-0031-161.2.232
Received: 7 April 2008; Accepted: 1 July 2008; Published: 1 April 2009
JOURNAL ARTICLE
11 PAGES

This article is only available to subscribers.
It is not available for individual sale.
+ SAVE TO MY LIBRARY

KEYWORDS
Coronilla varia L
crown vetch
RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS
Get copyright permission
Back to Top