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Abstract Invasive forest pests can affect the composition and physical structure of forest canopies that may facilitate invasion by non‐native plants. However, it remains unclear whether this process is generalizable across invasive plant species at broad spatial scales, and how other landscape characteristics may simultaneously facilitate non‐native plant invasion. Here, we assembled a dataset of over 3000 repeatedly measured forest plots and quantified the impact of emerald ash borer (EAB,Agrilus planipennis) residence time, land cover, and forest structure on the accumulation and coverage of invasive plants. We show plots in counties with longer EAB residences tended to accumulate more invasive plants than plots with shorter EAB residences. On average, nearly half of the plots with ash (Fraxinusspp.) in counties with EAB accumulated an additional 0.48 invasive plant species over the 5‐ to 6‐year resample interval compared to plots with ash in counties without EAB at the time of sampling. Increases in invasive species coverage were also evident in counties with EAB—although residence time did not have a strong effect, while forest gap fraction and vertical complexity were each negatively associated with increased coverage. This work has implications for understanding how invasive forest pests can facilitate the spread of non‐native plants.
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This content will become publicly available on September 25, 2026
The Distributions of Two Invasive Honeysuckle Species (Lonicera maackii and Lonicera japonica) inEastern Oklahoma
Concerns about spreading non-native invasive plant species have increased in recent decades following their harmful impacts on ecosystems. Their encroachment, aided by survival and reproductive advantages, can negatively impact ecosystems and biodiversity. These effects often lead to larger long-term issues and can be difficult and expensive to manage. Lonicera maackii (Rupr.) Herder and L. japonica Thunb. are invasive honeysuckle species that can outcompete, inhibit, and reduce the populations of native species, thus threatening biodiversity in invaded regions. Both species have formed naturalized populations throughout much of the eastern United States, including Oklahoma. Both species reproduce quickly, grow prolifically, face less environmental resistance, and tolerate a wider range of environmental conditions than most native plant species. This study, based on field surveys and herbarium records, presents new information on the distribution of L. maackii and L. japonica in eastern Oklahoma. Surveys were conducted in parks and public recreation areas of all 47 counties of eastern Oklahoma. By combining herbarium data and field surveys, we found that L. maackii occurs in fewer counties than expected and L. japonica is present in nearly all counties surveyed. The results also revealed a strong positive relationship between the presence of L. maackii and the population size of towns. We also found a weak and non-significant relationship between the occurrence of L. maackii and the number of non-native species in a county.
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- Award ID(s):
- 1902078
- PAR ID:
- 10645240
- Publisher / Repository:
- Oklahoma Native Plant Society
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Oklahoma Native Plant Record
- Volume:
- 23
- Issue:
- 1
- ISSN:
- 1536-7738
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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