HELP ANSWER RESEARCH QUESTIONS

HELP ANSWER RESEARCH QUESTIONS(Generated by OIPC Assessment Team )

OIPC is collaborating in an effort to assess invasive plants in Ohio. During that process the Assessment Team has encountered a number of important information gaps. Filling these gaps will lead to a better understanding of the invasive potential of particular species. We encourage researchers to help us address these issues. See the questions below:.

Lesser Celandine - Ranunculus ficaria

How reliant is the species on sexual reproduction in Ohio (how often does this occur and what is the seed output rate - Questions #5 and #6)?
Are there any effects of this species on native animals in Ohio (Question #13)? If so, what are they?
Can the species hybridize with other species or are the ornamental cultivars inter-fertile (Question #15)?
The species is known to create dense mats that smothers out other vegetation, but does it actually interfere with natural succession (Question #17)?

Porcelainberry - Ampelopsis brevipedunculata

What is the typical population density of this species in Ohio (Question #16)?
What role in succession, if any, does porcelainberry play in Ohio (Question #17)?

Oriental Bittersweet - Celastrus orbiculatus

What is the average number of seeds per plant under natural conditions in Ohio (Question #6)?
What is the role of oriental bittersweet, if any, in succession - especially in Ohio (Question #17)?

White Mulberry - Morus alba

Does seed production vary across individuals and years (Question #5 and #6)?
When do individual plants reach reproductive maturity (Question #9)?
What is the impact of this species (if any) on ecosystem processes (Question #11)?
What is the average density and percent coverage of this species in Ohio (Question #16)?
What is the role of this species in succession in natural areas in Ohio (Question #17)?

Common Buckthorn - Rhamnus cathartica

What is seed and fruit production in Ohio (Question #6)?

Common Privet - Ligustrum vulgare

What is the role of this species (if any) in establishing in healthy and intact natural areas in Ohio (Question #10)?
Does common privet impact successional processes in any way (Question #17)?
Does the species impact animals or native plants in any way in Ohio (Questions #13 and #14)? If so, in what way?

Mile-a-Minute - Persicaria perfoliata

Need estimate of seed production in Ohio (Question #6).
What is the impact of this species on native plants in Ohio (Question #14)?

Japanese Stiltgrass - Microstegium vimineum

Is Japanese stiltgrass present in region 4 of Ohio (southeastern part of the state) - Question #2?
Does stiltgrass negatively impact threatened Running Buffalo Clover or any other rare species (Question #12)?

Multiflora Rose - Rosa multiflora

What is the average generation time (when individuals are sexually reproductive) of this species in Ohio (Question #9)?

Amur Honeysuckle - Lonicera maackii

Is there any documented evidence where amur honeysuckle impacts rare organisms in Ohio (Question #12)?

Japanese Honeysuckle - Lonicera japonica

What is the seed/fruit production per plant in Ohio infestations (Question #6)?
Does this species impact successional processes in any way (Question #17)?

Princess tree, Empress tree - Paulownia tomentosa

What is the extent of spread of this tree in Ohio? [Locality/GPS coordinates as well as herbarium specimens to document occurrence are needed.]

Winged Burning Bush - Euonymous alata

What is the identity of individuals/populations of escaped individuals – are these the wild species, cultivars, or hybrid mixes? [Need genetic study of this species, comparing escaped populations with those in cultivation]

Wineberry - Rubus phoenicolasius

Does wineberry have any negetative effects on native plant or animal species in Ohio?

Purple Loosestrife - Lythrum spp.

Does Lythrum virgatum contribute to invasive populations of L. salicaria in Ohio?

Download a PDF of the Research Questions HERE.