Biological invasions in ancient woodlands

Lead Research Organisation: Newcastle University
Department Name: Sch of Natural & Environmental Sciences

Abstract

Project aims/objectives:

This project aims to document the impact of Impatiens glandulifera invasion in ancient woodlands and identify management strategies for controlling I. glandulifera invasion in ancient woodland by studying the following objectives:

Chapter 1 - Assessing existing literature through a systematic review
Question 1: What is our understanding of the impact of Impatiens glandulifera on woodlands?
Question 2: How effective are current controls used to manage Impatiens glandulifera and what are their impacts?

Chapter 2 - Assessment of the ecological impact of I. glandulifera abundance on:
a) Native aboveground flora and the soil seed bank
Question 1: How does I. glandulifera invasion impact the native aboveground flora in ancient woodlands?
Question 2: How does I. glandulifera invasion affect species composition, richness and abundance of the soil seed bank in ancient woodlands?

b) Soil fauna and invertebrate communities
Question: How does I. glandulifera invasion affect invertebrate species composition, richness and abundance in ancient woodlands?

Chapter 3 - Assessment of the effectiveness of non-chemical controls to manage I. glandulifera
Question: How effective are non-chemical controls at reducing the abundance of I. glandulifera?

Chapter 4 - Assessment of the impact of I. glandulifera management on native aboveground and below ground flora and faunal communities.
Question: How are each management method affecting the native flora and invertebrate communities of ancient woodland?

Chapter 5 - Assessment whether herbivory by deer shows a preference to ancient woodland native flora in the presence of I. glandulifera.
Question: What are the competition dynamics between native flora and I. glandulifera when deer are used as a management method?

Publications

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Studentship Projects

Project Reference Relationship Related To Start End Student Name
NE/S007431/1 30/09/2019 29/09/2028
2603714 Studentship NE/S007431/1 30/09/2021 30/03/2025 Elizabeth Keen