Alaska Melilotus invasions: Distribution, origin, and susceptibility of plant communities

Conn, J. S.; Beattie, K. L.; Shephard, M. A.; Carlson, M. L.; Lapina, I.; Hebert, M.; Gronquist, R.; Densmore, R.; Rasy, M.

Abstract:

Melilotus alba and M. officinalis were introduced to Alaska in 1913 as potential forage crops. These species have become naturalized and are now invading large, exotic plant-free regions of Alaska. We determined distributions of M. alba and M. officinalis in Alaska from surveys conducted each summer from 2002 to 2005. Melilotus alba and M. officinalis occurred at 721 and 205 sites, respectively (39,756 total sites surveyed). The northward limit for M. alba and M. officinalis was 67.15??N and 64.87??N, respectively. Both species were strictly associated with soil disturbance. Melilotus alba extended no farther than 15 m from road edges except where M. alba on roadsides met river floodplains and dispersed downriver (Matanuska and Nenana Rivers). Melilotus has now reached the Tanana River, a tributary of the Yukon River. Populations on floodplains were most extensive on braided sections. On the Nenana River, soil characteristics did not differ between where M. alba was growing versus similar areas where it had not yet reached. The pH of river soils (7.9-8.3) was higher than highway soils (7.3). Upland taiga plant communities grow on acid soils which may protect them from invasion by Melilotus, which prefer alkaline soils; however, early succession communities on river floodplains are susceptible because soils are alkaline. ?? 2008 Regents of the University of Colorado.

Genre:

Article

ProdID:

70000535

Citation Author:

Conn, J. S.; Beattie, K. L.; Shephard, M. A.; Carlson, M. L.; Lapina, I.; Hebert, M.; Gronquist, R.; Densmore, R.; Rasy, M.

Citation Contributing Office:

Citation Datum:

Citation Day:

Citation Edition:

Citation Editor:

Citation End Page:

308

Citation Issue:

Citation Keywords:

Citation Language:

English

Citation Larger Work Title:

Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research

Citation LatN:

Citation LatS:

Citation LonE:

Citation LonW:

Citation Month:

Citation No Pagination:

Citation Number Of Pages:

Citation Online Only Flag:

Citation Phsyical Description:

Citation Projection:

Citation Public Comments:

Citation Publisher:

Citation Series:

Citation Series Code:

Citation Series Number:

Citation Search Results Text:

Alaska Melilotus invasions: Distribution, origin, and susceptibility of plant communities; 2008; Article; Journal; Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research; Conn, J. S.; Beattie, K. L.; Shephard, M. A.; Carlson, M. L.; Lapina, I.; Hebert, M.; Gronquist, R.; Densmore, R.; Rasy, M.