The Effect of Urbanization on the Population Dynamics of the Invasive Plant Alliaria petiolata (Garlic Mustard)
Abstract
Biological invasions are of increasing concern due to the many negative consequences often associated with them, including reduced biological diversity (Wilcove et al. 1998, Pimentel et al. 2005), altered ecosystem properties and processes (Gordon 1998) and an estimated $120 billion per year in the United States in management costs and associated damages (Pimentel et al. 2005). There are a number of important traits shared among many invasive species that aid in their successful invasion. These traits include the ability to grow in disturbed habitats, high reproductive success (such as high seed production), rapid growth to its reproductive stage and the ability to disperse easily (Baker et al. 1965, Baker 1974). There are also a number of factors that make a habitat more prone to invasion, such as fragmentation, disturbance, excess nutrients and soil contamination (Marvier et al. 2004).
Subject Area
Biology
Recommended Citation
Waring, David J, "The Effect of Urbanization on the Population Dynamics of the Invasive Plant Alliaria petiolata (Garlic Mustard)" (2012). ETD Collection for Fordham University. AAI13851745.
https://research.library.fordham.edu/dissertations/AAI13851745
