Event Title
Determining the Spatial Spread and Rate of Dispersal of the Invasive Species Pinus sylvestris L. on a Michigan Dune Ecosystem
Presentation Type
Oral and/or Visual Presentation
Presenter Major(s)
Natural Resource Management
Mentor Information
C. "Griff" Griffin, griffinc@gvsu.edu
Department
Biology
Location
Kirkhof Center 1104
Start Date
13-4-2011 12:00 PM
End Date
13-4-2011 12:30 PM
Keywords
Environment, Sustainability
Abstract
The invasive species Pinus sylvestris L. (Scotch Pine) was first introduced into West Michigan in the 1940s when large tracts of land were replanted to reduce soil erosion. Due to the reproductive and genetic properties, Scotch Pine has the ability to colonize an area and increase in population at a rapid rate; this population increase and ease of spread negatively effects ecosystem diversity. This study looks at the spread of Scotch Pine out of the pine plantation and into surrounding natural hardwood forests at the Kitchel-Lindquist Dune Preserve. The resulting map and analysis examines the rate of dispersal and the stage of colonization, which will be used to aid the Kitchel-Lindquist Dune Preserve board in creating a Scotch Pine removal plan.
Determining the Spatial Spread and Rate of Dispersal of the Invasive Species Pinus sylvestris L. on a Michigan Dune Ecosystem
Kirkhof Center 1104
The invasive species Pinus sylvestris L. (Scotch Pine) was first introduced into West Michigan in the 1940s when large tracts of land were replanted to reduce soil erosion. Due to the reproductive and genetic properties, Scotch Pine has the ability to colonize an area and increase in population at a rapid rate; this population increase and ease of spread negatively effects ecosystem diversity. This study looks at the spread of Scotch Pine out of the pine plantation and into surrounding natural hardwood forests at the Kitchel-Lindquist Dune Preserve. The resulting map and analysis examines the rate of dispersal and the stage of colonization, which will be used to aid the Kitchel-Lindquist Dune Preserve board in creating a Scotch Pine removal plan.