A comparison of biotic and abiotic factors in the presence and absence of glossy buckthorn in prairie fen

Background/Question/Methods

Prairie fen wetlands are unique in their plant and animal diversity. Invasive species are one of the primary threats to that diversity. Glossy buckthorn (Frangula alnus) is one of the most common prairie fen invasives. To examine the impact of buckthorn on native plant communities in prairie fen, we compared a set of factors: plant species composition, soil nutrients, soil pH, and light availability, in areas of a Michigan fen invaded by buckthorn with that in high quality reference sites where buckthorn was not present.

Results/Conclusions

We saw higher percent cover of herbaceous species and greater native plant diversity in areas without buckthorn than in buckthorn invaded areas. In addition, there was significantly lower light availability, greater nutrient availability, and lower pH in the buckthorn invaded areas of prairie fen versus reference areas at the same site. In winter of 2008 we cut and stump treated buckthorn with herbicide in invaded areas of the prairie fen. During the 2008 and 2009 growing seasons, we will compare the change in plant and animal species presence over time in buckthorn removal and invaded areas. Through this work, we will develop metrics to determine the degree of habitat restoration success in prairie fens. Long-term impacts of this study include integrating species diversity at multiple trophic levels and functional success into the concept of habitat restoration success.