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The role of ornamental gardening in forest plant invasions across an urban-rural gradient in Southwestern Ohio

Mastalerz, Allison
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1377866412

Abstract Details

2013, MS, University of Cincinnati, Arts and Sciences: Biological Sciences.
Invasive plant species can lead to reduced biodiversity and are expensive to control. Ornamental gardening has played a key role in introducing nonnative species into new areas where they may become invasive. This study investigated the role of ornamental gardening along an urban-rural gradient as a pathway for introducing nonnative plant species to forests in Southwestern Ohio. Vegetation surveys were conducted in 15 forests, and patterns of nonnative species richness were analyzed. To better understand which nonnative plant species should be considered invasive, two invasive plant risk assessments were used. Results indicated that the ornamental gardening pathway has been important in introducing invasive species along the entire urban-rural gradient, but the prominence of the ornamental pathway in introducing nonnative species was stronger in rural areas compared to urban areas. The two risk assessments used, the Australian Weed Risk Assessment and the Ohio Invasive Plant Assessment, indicated that 18 of the 39 nonnative plant species documented during the forest vegetation surveys should be considered invasion risks, 14 of which species had ornamental origins. This project suggests that engaging gardeners and professional horticulturalists in sustainable gardening practices could be one of the most efficient ways to reduce the number of nonnative plant species from entering natural areas. More research concerning the social and behavioral aspects involved in introducing invasive plants with ornamental origins could provide important information that would enable meaningful education and outreach.
Theresa Culley, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
Sarena Selbo, M.S. (Committee Member)
Steven Rogstad, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
371 p.
Ecology
Invasive plants; Ornamental gardening; Risk assessment; Forest invasions; Australian Weed Risk Assessment; Ohio Invasive Plant Assessment

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Mastalerz, A. (2013). The role of ornamental gardening in forest plant invasions across an urban-rural gradient in Southwestern Ohio [Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1377866412

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Mastalerz, Allison. The role of ornamental gardening in forest plant invasions across an urban-rural gradient in Southwestern Ohio. 2013. University of Cincinnati, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1377866412.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Mastalerz, Allison. "The role of ornamental gardening in forest plant invasions across an urban-rural gradient in Southwestern Ohio." Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati, 2013. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1377866412

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ucin1377866412
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© 2013, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.