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Seedling Recruitment of the Environmental Weed

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Seedling Recruitment of the Environmental Weed View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by ResearchArchive at Victoria University of Wellington SEEDLING RECRUITMENT OF THE INVASIVE SPECIES BERBERIS DARWINII (DARWIN’S BARBERRY): WHAT CONTRIBUTES TO INVASION SUCCESS? by Katherine (Kate) Grace McAlpine A thesis submitted to Victoria University of Wellington in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Science Victoria University of Wellington 2005 ABSTRACT Berberis darwinii is an invasive tree species that is considered a serious threat to indigenous ecosystems and biodiversity conservation throughout New Zealand. I examined the recruitment dynamics of this species in order to identify traits contributing to invasion success, and thus pinpoint critical stages for management. In order to do this, I measured patterns of both spatial and temporal seed dispersal, and compared rates of germination and seedling survival across a range of light environments. I also measured patterns of growth, biomass allocation, photosynthetic performance, leaf morphology, and water use efficiency across different light environments. In most of these experiments I compared the performance of B. darwinii to four ecologically similar, co-occurring native species. Berberis darwinii produced large quantities of viable seed that were widely dispersed by birds. Almost all viable seeds germinated in the spring following dispersal, indicating that B. darwinii does not form a persistent seed bank. Rates of germination and seedling survival were significantly higher in B. darwinii compared to the native species, although seedling establishment of all species was limited to high-light environments. Berberis darwinii also had approximately twice the photosynthetic capacity of the native species, but this advantage was limited to high-light environments. Berberis darwinii does not vary significantly in proportional biomass allocation across light environments, suggesting that this type of plasticity does not contribute to invasion success. Berberis darwinii was more water use efficient in sun compared to shade, but the same pattern was evident in four of the five native species. The critical stage of recruitment for B. darwinii was first-year seedling establishment. Rates of mortality were highest at this stage, and were largely associated with seedling density and low light availability. Seedling mortality was near 100% beneath the parent canopy, indicating that seed dispersal is critical to B. darwinii recruitment. These results suggest that B. darwinii is not shade-tolerant as a seedling, and that management practices should be concentrated on the removal of fruiting adult plants and seedlings growing in open sites. ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Many, many thanks to my two supervisors from Victoria University: Don Drake for getting me started, and Linley Jesson for guiding me, supporting me, and generally getting me to the end point. I am also grateful to Victoria University for a post- graduate scholarship grant. And a special thanks to the Department of Conservation, especially Susan Timmins, for allowing me to turn this project into a (paid!) job. For extra guidance, feedback, support, and/or assistance in the field, thanks also to Chris Boorman, Lindsay Eaton, Chris Edkins, Richard FitzJohn, Harshi Gamage, Phil Garnock-Jones, Rod Hay, Clayson Howell, Mark Kearney, Dave Kubien, Tony Lawson, Shona Mackay, Carol McAlpine, Grant McAlpine, Rachel McAlpine, Leeann Peden, Shirley Pledger, Ian Popay, Susan Timmins, Justine Ward, Sue Wilkins, and the wonderful staff at the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary. For technical and administrative support, thanks to Victoria University staff, particularly Lesley Milicich, but also Mary Murray, Peter Watson, and Alan Hoverd. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT..................................................................................................................ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ...................................................................................... iii TABLE OF CONTENTS ...........................................................................................iv LIST OF TABLES .....................................................................................................vii LIST OF FIGURES ....................................................................................................ix CHAPTER ONE. SEEDLING RECRUITMENT OF BERBERIS DARWINII: WHAT FACTORS MIGHT CONTRIBUTE TO INVASION SUCCESS?...........1 Introduction................................................................................................................1 Seed dispersal.............................................................................................................3 Seed bank...................................................................................................................4 Germination ...............................................................................................................5 Seedling establishment...............................................................................................6 Critical life-stages ......................................................................................................7 Seedling growth and biomass allocation....................................................................7 Photosynthesis and water use efficiency....................................................................8 Aims and objectives of thesis ....................................................................................9 CHAPTER TWO. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO INVASION SUCCESS IN BERBERIS DARWINII: SEED DISPERSAL, GERMINATION, AND SEEDLING ESTABLISHMENT .............................................................................11 Abstract....................................................................................................................11 Introduction..............................................................................................................12 Methods....................................................................................................................17 Study site..............................................................................................................17 Environmental measures......................................................................................18 Seed dispersal.......................................................................................................22 Dispersal with increasing distance from source population (B. darwinii only) ..........................................................................................................................22 Directed seed dispersal (B. darwinii only).......................................................22 Predation of dispersed B. darwinii seeds .............................................................23 Seed viability and longevity.................................................................................23 Seed viability (all species) ...............................................................................23 Artificially buried seeds (B. darwinii only) .....................................................24 Natural seed bank (B. darwinii only)...............................................................25 Germination and seedling survival ......................................................................25 Seeds sown (all species)...................................................................................25 Natural seedling establishment (B. darwinii only) ..........................................26 Transition between life-stages .............................................................................27 Statistics ...............................................................................................................27 Environmental measures..................................................................................27 Dispersal with increasing distance from source population ............................28 Directed dispersal.............................................................................................28 Seed viability ...................................................................................................28 Germination and seedling survival ..................................................................29 Results......................................................................................................................30 iv Environmental measures......................................................................................30 Seed dispersal.......................................................................................................33 Dispersal from canopy edge (B. darwinii only)...............................................33 Directed seed dispersal (B. darwinii only).......................................................37 Predation of dispersed B. darwinii seeds .............................................................37 Seed viability and longevity.................................................................................39 Seed viability (all species) ...............................................................................39 Seed bank dynamics (B. darwinii only)...........................................................39 Germination and seedling survival ......................................................................41 Germination and survival of seeds sown in
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