Landscape Ecology of Invasive Weeds

A survey of invasive plants in the Apple Creek Watershed has been completed focusing on garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata).  The study created a model for understanding the movement of a relatively rapidly spreading invasive plant species and compared two sampling methods - a roadside survey and a random sampling of 100 1-ha sites. The occurrence of this plant based on each sampling method and using both methods combined was mapped.

Results suggest that there is significant influence of differing cultural and accompanying landscape patterns, with very few occurrences of the invasive plant in the eastern part of the sampling area that is dominated by Amish inhabitants, and many occurrences in the western, non-Amish, part of the watershed.

This work was extended to examine the feasibility of using Landsat images for detection and mapping of invasive plants. Even though this type of study has been done elsewhere (mostly western rangeland), this work is unique in detecting small patches of several invasive species that must be distinguished from surrounding species.

Contact John Cardina cardina.2@osu.edu  for more information.