Escaped Miscanthus sacchariflorus reduces the richness and diversity of vegetation and the soil seed bank

Hager, Heather A.; Rupert, R.; Quinn, Lauretta; Newman, J. A.

doi:10.1007/s10530-014-0839-2

Cited by 21 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 66 publications

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“…Poor seed set has previously been reported in nurserygrown M. sacchariflorus in the United States (Meyer andTchida 1999), andHager et al (2015b) found no evidence of a germinable seed bank in a survey of escaped populations of the species in Canada. Moreover, low pollen production has been noted in a single U.S. cultivar of M. sacchariflorus during breeding studies (E. Sacks, University of Illinois, personal communication to A.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 55%

“…Herbarium records suggest that M. sacchariflorus first escaped domestic gardens sometime in the 1940s and 1950s, most likely along the Mississippi River in Iowa, Wisconsin, and Illinois, and feral populations have been reported in 11 states (Bonin et al 2014;EDDMapS 2016). Most feral populations of M. sacchariflorus in North America are concentrated in the midwestern United States, whereas others occur in the northeastern United States and southeastern Canada (Bonin et al 2014;EDDMapS 2016;Hager et al 2015b). These escaped populations often form dense, monospecific stands along roadsides, ditches, and forest edges, typically in mesic habitats.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Population Genetics and Seed Set in Feral, OrnamentalMiscanthus sacchariflorus

Mutegi

Snow

Heaton

et al. 2016

Invasive plant sci. manag.

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Ornamental grasses may become invasive weeds depending on their ability to naturalize and outcompete other species. Miscanthus sacchariflorus (Maxim) Franch. (Amur silvergrass) is a tall, self-incompatible, nonnative grass that has become naturalized in eastern North America, forming monospecific stands and raising concerns about its potential invasiveness. To understand the extent of clonal and sexual reproduction in feral populations, we examined their population genetic structure, seed production, and ploidy. We surveyed 21 populations in Iowa and Minnesota using eight polymorphic microsatellite markers. Only 34 multilocus genotypes (MLGs) were detected from a total of 390 samples. All of the study populations had more than one MLG, thereby allowing cross-pollination with near neighbors, but most were dominated by one or a few MLGs. Low genetic divergence suggests that all populations may have originated from similar cultivars. Cluster analysis showed that the six populations from Minnesota were extremely similar to each other, whereas the 15 populations from Iowa were somewhat more diverse. Seed production was quantified for 20 populations and ploidy for 11 populations. Average seed production was very low (< 0.30 seeds per panicle), although most populations did produce seeds. Because the populations were diploid (2x), they also may have the potential to hybridize with ornamental varieties of Miscanthus sinensis (Chinese silvergrass; eulaliagrass), a diploid close relative. Clonal growth, self-incompatibility, and spatial isolation of compatible clones may contribute to pollen-limited seed set in these populations. Low seed set may affect the rate of spread of feral M. sacchariflorus, which appears to disperse vegetatively as well as by seed. Although this species is not widely viewed as invasive, it is worth monitoring as a species that may become more widespread in the future.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 55%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Population Genetics and Seed Set in Feral, OrnamentalMiscanthus sacchariflorus

Mutegi

Snow

Heaton

et al. 2016

Invasive plant sci. manag.

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“…nonindigenous species that successfully reproduce and disperse from their site of introduction) can be an important driver of habitat degradation, although the presence of alien species may also be a response to habitat degradation (MacDougall & Turkington ). The effects of invasive plant species on seed banks range from suppressing the emergence of native species and hampering vegetation recovery (Williams‐Linera et al ), to reducing native seed bank species richness, density (see Gioria et al ), and diversity (Hager et al ). From a restoration perspective, determining the contribution of an invasive species' propagules to the seed bank can help assess the local persistence of the species (Gioria et al ), while quantifying the abundance and composition of indigenous species within the seed bank provides an indication of the potential for the original (i.e.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Restoration potential of invaded abandoned agricultural fields: what does the seed bank tell us?

Haussmann

Delport

Kakembo

et al. 2019

Restoration Ecology

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Soil seed banks can play an important role in the restoration of degraded ecosystems, especially where indigenous species are well represented in, and invasive species are largely absent from, the seed bank. Here, we studied the potential contribution of the soil seed bank to the restoration of invaded, abandoned agricultural fields in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. We recorded the aboveground cover and belowground abundance of all vascular plant species from 120 quadrats that differ in cover of the extralimital woody invader, Pteronia incana. Our results show that higher cover of P. incana is associated with lower species richness, aboveground cover, and belowground seed abundance. Furthermore, community similarity between the above-and belowground component was low, with the seed bank and standing vegetation having only 15 species in common and 49 species being recorded only from the seed bank. We suggest that this large number of seed bank-only species is a relic of previous vegetation, prior to large-scale invasion by P. incana. The most important finding from our study is the absence of P. incana from the soil seed bank. This finding, combined with the large number of mostly native species from the seed bank, holds promise from a restoration perspective. However, given the susceptibility of the invaded systems to erosion, coupled with the low grazing value of the seed bank species, we suggest that P. incana removal should be accompanied by both erosion control measures and reseeding with palatable grass species, to secure the livelihoods of local communities. Implications for Practice• Management of nondesired species should account for whether species have persistent seed banks. Restoration management actions against unwanted species with transient seed banks (including the extralimital woody invader, Pteronia incana) should be timed when the species is absent from (or least abundant in) the seed bank. • In situations where species of low grazing value are abundant in the seed bank, such as in our study, reseeding by palatable species may additionally be required.

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“…Feral M. sinensis is documented primarily in the eastern USA (Quinn et al., ; Schnitzler & Essl, ), while the distribution of feral M. sacchariflorus extends further north and west (Bonin et al., ; Schnitzler & Essl, ). The sterile triploid hybrid, M. × giganteus , has rarely escaped cultivation (Hager, Rupert, Quinn, & Newman, ), but large‐scale plantings of this cultivar are fewer and more recent than those of ornamental cultivars. Less is known about the invasive potential of the fertile hybrid M. × giganteus (“PowerCane” ™ Sacks, Jakob, et al., ; Sacks, Juvik, et al., ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…By identifying the conditions that favor germination, survival and growth, these studies complement screening assessments that are designed to prevent or mitigate unintended invasions of candidate biofuel species (Flory, Lorentz, Gordon, & Sollenberger, ). Mechanisms for establishment of feral populations of Miscanthus are species dependent, with M. sacchariflorus spreading largely from rhizomes rather than seeds (Bonin et al., ; Hager, Rupert, et al., ; Mutegi et al., ). In contrast, seed dispersal is the primary mechanism for population growth in M. sinensis (e.g., Quinn et al., , ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Growth and fecundity of fertile Miscanthus × giganteus (“PowerCane”) compared to feral and ornamental Miscanthus sinensis in a common garden experiment: Implications for invasion

Miriti

Ibrahim

Palik

et al. 2017

Ecology and Evolution

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Perennial grasses are promising candidates for bioenergy crops, but species that can escape cultivation and establish self‐sustaining naturalized populations (feral) may have the potential to become invasive. Fertile Miscanthus × giganteus, known as “PowerCane,” is a new potential biofuel crop. Its parent species are ornamental, non‐native Miscanthus species that establish feral populations and are sometimes invasive in the USA. As a first step toward assessing the potential for “PowerCane” to become invasive, we documented its growth and fecundity relative to one of its parent species (Miscanthus sinensis) in competition with native and invasive grasses in common garden experiments located in Columbus, Ohio and Ames, Iowa, within the targeted range of biofuel cultivation. We conducted a 2‐year experiment to compare growth and reproduction among three Miscanthus biotypes—”PowerCane,” ornamental M. sinensis, and feral M. sinensis—at two locations. Single Miscanthus plants were subjected to competition with a native grass (Panicum virgatum), a weedy grass (Bromus inermis), or no competition. Response variables were aboveground biomass, number of shoots, basal area, and seed set. In Iowa, all Miscanthus plants died after the first winter, which was unusually cold, so no further results are reported from the Iowa site. In Ohio, we found significant differences among biotypes in growth and fecundity, as well as significant effects of competition. Interactions between these treatments were not significant. “PowerCane” performed as well or better than ornamental or feral M. sinensis in vegetative traits, but had much lower seed production, perhaps due to pollen limitation. In general, ornamental M. sinensis performed somewhat better than feral M. sinensis. Our findings suggest that feral populations of “PowerCane” could become established adjacent to biofuel production areas. Fertile Miscanthus × giganteus should be studied further to assess its potential to spread via seed production in large, sexually compatible populations.

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Escaped Miscanthus sacchariflorus reduces the richness and diversity of vegetation and the soil seed bank

Cited by 21 publications

References 66 publications

Population Genetics and Seed Set in Feral, OrnamentalMiscanthus sacchariflorus

Population Genetics and Seed Set in Feral, OrnamentalMiscanthus sacchariflorus

Restoration potential of invaded abandoned agricultural fields: what does the seed bank tell us?

Growth and fecundity of fertile Miscanthus × giganteus (“PowerCane”) compared to feral and ornamental Miscanthus sinensis in a common garden experiment: Implications for invasion

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