Date of Award

5-2024

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

College/School

College of Science and Mathematics

Department/Program

Earth and Environmental Studies

Thesis Sponsor/Dissertation Chair/Project Chair

Dirk Vanderklein

Committee Member

Jennifer Krumins

Committee Member

Paul Bologna

Committee Member

Daniel Bunker

Abstract

Wetlands are important areas in the landscape, providing important ecosystem services. Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria), native to Europe and Asia, invades wetlands in North America, outcompeting native wetland plants and disrupting ecosystem services. While purple loosestrife is invasive in North America, it is not in its native range. Winged loosestrife (Lythrum alatum), a North American native congener, is not invasive in North America. Purple loosestrife from Sussex County, N.J. U.S.A. and purple loosestrife from the United Kingdom, and winged loosestrife were compared in this study. Their response to soil edaphic factors, such as seed vernalization, soil nutrients, soil pH, water, and salinity, as well as seed germination, and soil microorganisms were compared in order to determine their comparative degree of invasiveness. Purple loosestrife from North America responded essentially the same way as purple loosestrife from the United Kingdom showing that purple loosestrife has not become more invasive since arriving in North America, but already had this potential when first arriving from the United Kingdom. In addition, purple loosestrife from both populations showed a greater response to soil nutrients and soil water conditions than winged loosestrife, which contributes to the greater competitiveness of purple loosestrife.

File Format

PDF

Share

COinS