University of Kentucky UKnowledge University of Kentucky Master's Theses Graduate School 2010 EXOTIC INVASIVE PLANTS IN KENTUCKY Yu Liang University of Kentucky, [email protected] Right click to open a feedback form in a new tab to let us know how this document benefits ou.y Recommended Citation Liang, Yu, "EXOTIC INVASIVE PLANTS IN KENTUCKY" (2010). University of Kentucky Master's Theses. 23. https://uknowledge.uky.edu/gradschool_theses/23 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at UKnowledge. It has been accepted for inclusion in University of Kentucky Master's Theses by an authorized administrator of UKnowledge. For more information, please contact [email protected]. ABSTRACT OF THESIS EXOTIC INVASIVE PLANTS IN KENTUCKY Invasion of exotic species is a significant problem in natural ecosystems, reaching epidemic proportions and resulting in significant economic losses. However, insufficient knowledge of explicit spatial distribution of invasive species hinders our ability to prevent and/or mitigate future invasion. In this study, we demonstrate the use of existing voluntary data to survey invasive plant species in Kentucky. We also reconstructed the historical distribution of 16 exotic invasive plants typical to Kentucky using herbarium records. We found that Kentucky is facing a large threat from exotic invasive plants as they are reported throughout most counties. The distribution maps for four of the top 10 most reported invasive species revealed that Kentucky is presently or was previously a front of invasion. The majority of the 16 targeted invasive species were scattered throughout Kentucky with no concentrations within particular regions. Cumulative curves of occupied counties over time fit a “J” shape expansion curve, which indicates the potential for further future invasion. This study demonstrates the usefulness of voluntary data and herbarium data to reconstruct the historical and current distribution of invasive species. Further studies on other invasive species can take advantage of information associated with herbarium specimens to achieve more fruitful results. KEYWORDS: Exotic invasive plant, historical distribution, herbarium records, expansion rate, predominant land use type. Yu Liang June 18, 2010 EXOTIC INVASIVE PLANTS IN KENTUCKY By Yu Liang Dr. Songlin Fei _______________________________ Director of Thesis Dr. David B. Wagner _______________________________ Director of Graduate Studies June 16, 2010 _______________________________ RULES FOR THE USE OF THESES Unpublished theses submitted for the Master’s degree and deposited in the University of Kentucky Library are as a rule open for inspection, but are to be used only with due regard to the rights of the authors. Bibliographical reference may be noted, but quotations or summaries of parts may be published only with the permission of the author, and with the usual scholarly acknowledgements. Extensive copying or publication of the thesis in whole or in part also requires the consent of the Dean of Graduate School of the University of Kentucky. A library that borrows this thesis for use by its patrons is expected to secure the signature of each user. Name Date ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ THESIS Yu Liang The Graduate School University of Kentucky 2010 EXOTIC INVASIVE PLANTS IN KENTUCKY ________________________________________________________________________ THESIS ________________________________________________________________________ A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in the College of Agriculture at the University of Kentucky By Yu Liang Lexington, Kentucky Director: Dr. Songlin Fei, Professor of Forestry Lexington, Kentucky 2010 Copyright © Yu Liang 2010 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The following thesis benefited from the help of many people. I wish to express sincere appreciation to my advisor, Dr. Songlin Fei, who recruited me from China and changed my life for the better. I thank him for his understanding and support throughout my Master’s research. Thanks also go to my committee members: Dr. Jonathan D. Green, Mr. Robert Paratley, and Dr. John Lhotka. I thank Dr. Green for providing the weed identification data that served as the foundation of my research. His advising and support was also very important for my thesis. Rob, I appreciate your help and your kind advice every time I burst into your office or intercepted you on your way home. Dr. Lhotka, you made my graduation possible and always gave me strength and courage to face the difficulties I encountered. Thanks to all the herbarium curators who welcomed me, sent me data, or allowed me to download data from their databases. Your persistence and hard work is critical for advancing science. Many thanks go to my colleagues: John Hast, Ben Augustine, Kevin Devine, David Parrott, and Dr. Liang Liang for their encouragement and peer reviews. My deepest thank goes to my family, whose support have helped me during the days I study abroad. Last but not least, my deepest love goes to my fiancée Shan Liu for her love, support, sacrifice, and understanding during the whole period. This thesis is based upon work supported by the Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under Agreement No. 2008-34628-19532. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................................................ iii TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................................................................ iv LIST OF TABLES .......................................................................................................................... vi LIST OF FIGURES ....................................................................................................................... vii CHAPTER ONE: Introduction ........................................................................................................ 1 THE THREAT OF EXOTIC INVASIVE SPECIES ................................................................... 1 EXOTIC INVASIVE PLANTS IN KENTUCKY ....................................................................... 2 Amur honeysuckle ................................................................................................................... 3 Annual bluegrass ...................................................................................................................... 4 Autumn olive ........................................................................................................................... 4 Barnyardgrass .......................................................................................................................... 5 Canada thistle ........................................................................................................................... 5 Climbing euonymus ................................................................................................................. 6 Common chickweed ................................................................................................................. 6 Common lespedeza .................................................................................................................. 7 Common reed ........................................................................................................................... 7 Ground ivy ............................................................................................................................... 8 Japanese honeysuckle .............................................................................................................. 8 Japanese knotweed ..................................................................................................................