dbernsley's Journal

This journal article from the American Midland Naturalist 157(2):250-257 (2007) discusses the effects of English ivy on the forest ecosystem, specifically on the seed bank formation and germination. Because English ivy is an invasive species, it is necessary to understand the mechanisms that allow this plant to affect the native landscape. Ivy's invasive nature is facilitated by its rapid vegetative growth rate and efficient seed germination. Therefore, in this study Biggerstaff and Beck sampled the seed bank and the summer and fall seed rains. They sampled areas with and without ivy. They found no significant difference between these two sites. They also looked at the allelopathic effects of ivy on Correopsis lancelota seeds and found a marginally significant germination rate reduction of C. lancelota seeds only when ivy plants were present. This suggests that native plants would be successful in previously ivy covered places if this ivy was removed.

Biggerstaff, M. S., & Beck, C. W. (2007). Effects of English ivy (Hedera helix) on seed bank formation and germination. The American midland naturalist, 157(2), 250-257.

This article, from the Web of Science database, features both topics of English ivy (Hedera helix) and invasive species. It was featured in the The American Midland Naturalist Vol. 158, No. 1 (Jul., 2007), pp. 206-220, written by Matthew S. Biggerstaff and Christopher W. Beck.

They discussed the effects of invasive plants on native flora and fauna. They studied the effects of invasive English ivy on the natural plants of Piedmont, Georgia. They removed ivy in plots and counted the native seedling density and diversity. They found that the plots that retained ivy had no new germination of the native plants of Georgia. Because they found that plant removal of an invasive species was so effective in increasing the growth of native plants, this should be considered in exotic plant removal projects and the effective methods in doing so.

Matthew S. Biggerstaff, & Christopher W. Beck. (2007). Effects of Method of English Ivy Removal and Seed Addition on Regeneration of Vegetation in a Southeastern Piedmont Forest. The American Midland Naturalist, 158(1), 206-220. Retrieved April 21, 2020, from www.jstor.org/stable/4500649