Johanna L. Fickenscher, M.S. student
Natural Resources: Wildlife

Research Title: Insect Community Responses to Invasive Shrubs in Early Successional Habitat

Advisor: Dr. John A. Litvaitis

Description of Research

In the northeastern U.S., early-successional habitats are valuable to an array of wildlife species that depend on them.  However, these habitats are also highly susceptible to exotic plant invasions.  In recent years, exotic plants have been found to have substantial and often negative effects on the communities they colonize, including the disruption of local food chains.  Preliminary investigations of the effects of invasive shrubs in early successional habitats found that the abundance of insects seemed less on exotic versus native shrubs. Herbivorous insects often provide the energy link between plants and higher trophic levels – being included in the diet of many birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians.  A reduction or change in insect communities due to invasive shrubs may have detrimental impacts on organisms of higher trophic levels.

Starting with the primary consumers, specifically insect herbivores, my research will attempt to fill in the knowledge gaps dealing with wildlife responses to invasive plants through both a field study and mesocosm experiment.  The main goal of my study is to gauge how insect phenology, species richness, and biomass are affected by invasive shrubs.  A companion study on the effects of invasive shrubs on songbird reproductive success will occur at the same sites.  This will connect my research to higher organisms, and allow a ‘bottom-up’ evaluation.