[APWG] Stilt Grass Seeds

[S. Luke Flory]

Deer are certainly dispersing seed in their hooves and from bedding in 
Microstegium but I don't think they are eating much of it - I haven't 
ever seen any browse damage although I work in areas with relatively low 
deer densities.

I also haven't seen hardly any insect damage to Microstegium plants. If 
there are insects that eat seed they are not likely eating enough to put 
a dent in populations. Most populations have seed/seedling densities so 
high that populations self-thin to a great degree over the course of a 
growing season (someone once emailed me that they had counted >100 
seedlings in a square inch!). That is, even if half of the seeds were 
eaten, populations would likely have the same stem density and biomass 
per area at the end of the season. However, if an insect consumed enough 
seed it would affect seed dispersal rates...

I have noticed a fungus that is hitting some Microstegium populations 
pretty hard, particularly in open areas where I think morning dews 
spread the fungus. We are currently trying to isolate, identify, and 
culture the fungus in the lab and are planning experiments next year to 
see if the fungus has an effect on Microstegium biomass, seed 
production, and ultimately population dynamics.

Luke



Michael Schenk wrote:
> Yes, deer do seem to be a great mechanism for dispersing stilt grass. They like to bed down in it, for one thing.
> 
> What I'm wondering is if there is some species which destructively feeds on stilt grass seeds and which might be useful as a biocontrol. Since they're so small, this would likely be an invertebrate, maybe millipedes or some other forest floor small grazer. What generally eats small grass seeds?
> 
> Mike
> -----Original Message-----
>> From: "Scott Ruhren Ph.D." <sruhren at asri.org>
>> Sent: Oct 2, 2008 9:21 AM
>> To: 'Michael Schenk' <schenkmj at earthlink.net>, apwg at lists.plantconservation.org
>> Subject: RE: [APWG] Stilt Grass Seeds
>>
>> Mike,
>>
>> I saw a poster at an invasive species conference in CT with a long list of
>> invasive plant seeds detected in deer droppings. Many/most were viable.
>> Unfortunately, I do not have the author tec. This dispersal mechanism seems
>> plausible as deer sample broadly across the flora. 
>>
>> Just a thought.
>>
>> Scott
>>
>> ---
>>
>> Scott Ruhren, Ph.D.
>> Senior Director of Conservation
>> Audubon Society of Rhode Island
>> 12 Sanderson Road
>> Smithfield, RI 02917
>>
>> 401-949-5454
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: apwg-bounces at lists.plantconservation.org
>> [mailto:apwg-bounces at lists.plantconservation.org] On Behalf Of Michael
>> Schenk
>> Sent: Wednesday, October 01, 2008 11:00 AM
>> To: apwg at lists.plantconservation.org
>> Subject: [APWG] Stilt Grass Seeds
>>
>> Here's today's question: what eats stilt grass seeds, either on the stem or
>> on the ground?
>>
>> Mike
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> PCA's Alien Plant Working Group mailing list
>> APWG at lists.plantconservation.org
>> http://lists.plantconservation.org/mailman/listinfo/apwg_lists.plantconserva
>> tion.org
>>
>> Disclaimer
>> Any requests, advice or opinions posted to this list reflect ONLY the
>> opinion of the individual posting the message.
>>
>>
>>
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> PCA's Alien Plant Working Group mailing list
> APWG at lists.plantconservation.org
> http://lists.plantconservation.org/mailman/listinfo/apwg_lists.plantconservation.org
> 
> Disclaimer
> Any requests, advice or opinions posted to this list reflect ONLY the opinion of the individual posting the message.

-- 
***********************************************************************
S. Luke Flory, Ph.D.
Post-doctoral research associate
Department of Biology
Indiana University
1001 East 3rd Street
Bloomington, IN 47405
sflory at indiana.edu
812-855-1674
www.lukeflory.com