Lonicera maackii (Rupr.) Herder
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Lonicera maackii (Rupr.) Herder Lonicera maackii commonly known as Amur honeysuckle is native to Eastern Asia. It was introduced to the United States in the late 1800’s as an ornamental species for its flowers and red berries. Naturalized populations of Amur honeysuckle were reported in the 1950’s. Since then reproducing populations have been recorded in 24 US states. Amur honeysuckle may now pose a threat to eastern deciduous forests in the US. In its native range Amur honeysuckle is found growing on floodplains and open woodlands. In its introduced range it is found growing in urban or urban-fringe areas, open sites, forest edges, within forest patches where there are canopy gaps. Amur honeysuckle forms dense thickets along edge habitats and forest canopies with the potential to alter ecosystem functioning and community structure. The results of a study (Trammell et al 2011) that examined foliar productivity and leaf litter decomposition in forests invaded by Amur honeysuckle found a) Reductions in foliar biomass of woody species other than honeysuckle in urban forest plots, which supported high densities of Amur honeysuckle; and b) Faster decay rates of honeysuckle litter. Reductions in foliar biomass of woody species meant lower native tree and shrub productivity resulting in altered forest structure and composition and loss of ecosystem services. Faster decay of litter suggests the potential for lower rates of soil organic matter accrual and less N retention in forests invaded by honeysuckle. Reference: Trammell, L. E. Tara, Haylee A. Ralston, Shannon A. Scroggins, Margaret M. Carreiro, 2011. Foliar production and decomposition rates in urban forests invaded by the exotic invasive shrub, Lonicera maackii. Biol Invasions DOI 10.1007/s10530-011-0093-9 Luken, J. O., & J.W. Thieret. 1996. Amur Honeysuckle, Its Fall from Grace. Arnoldia Fall 1997 [linik] Photo credit: US Department of Agriculture: Natural Resources Conservation Service [link] Read Luken and Thieret (1997) for more on the history of introduction of Amur honeysuckle to the US and other European countries and ecology of the species. Click here to view archives of previous weeks’ species
Transcript of Lonicera maackii (Rupr.) Herder
Lonicera maackii (Rupr.) HerderLonicera maackii commonly known as Amur honeysuckle is native to Eastern Asia. It was introduced to the United States in the late 1800’s as an ornamental species for its flowers and red berries. Naturalized populations of Amur honeysuckle were reported in the 1950’s. Since then reproducing populations have been recorded in 24 US states. Amur honeysuckle may now pose a threat to eastern deciduous forests in the US.In its native range Amur honeysuckle is found growing on floodplains and open woodlands. In its introduced range it is found growing in urban or urban-fringe areas, open sites, forest edges, within forest patches where there are canopy gaps. Amur honeysuckle forms dense thickets along edge habitats and forest canopies with the potential to alter ecosystem functioning and community structure.The results of a study (Trammell et al 2011) that examined foliar productivity and leaf litter decomposition in forests invaded by Amur honeysuckle found a) Reductions in foliar biomass of woody species other than honeysuckle in urban forest plots, which supported high densities of Amur honeysuckle; and b) Faster decay rates of honeysuckle litter. Reductions in foliar biomass of woody species meant lower native tree and shrub productivity resulting in altered forest structure and composition and loss of ecosystem services. Faster decay of litter suggests the potential for lower rates of soil organic matter accrual and less N retention in forests invaded by honeysuckle.
Reference:Trammell, L. E. Tara, Haylee A. Ralston, Shannon A. Scroggins, Margaret M. Carreiro, 2011. Foliar production and decomposition rates in urban forests invaded by the exotic invasive shrub, Lonicera maackii. Biol Invasions DOI 10.1007/s10530-011-0093-9
Luken, J. O., & J.W. Thieret. 1996. Amur Honeysuckle, Its Fall from Grace. Arnoldia Fall 1997 [linik]
Photo credit: US Department of Agriculture: Natural Resources Conservation Service [link]
Read Luken and Thieret (1997) for more on the history of introduction of Amur honeysuckle to the US and other European countries and ecology of the species.
Click here to view archives of previous weeks’ species
