[APWG] Stilt Grass Seeds
Patricia_DeAngelis at fws.gov
Patricia_DeAngelis at fws.gov
Thu Oct 2 10:54:56 CDT 2008
Hi All - Interesting news on the fungus! Sounds like you might be thinking
about it as a possible biocontrol. I'm sure you already know this, but I
have to say it anyway. Remember that many medicinal plants grow in the
understory of the Eastern forests - so whatever the fungus, pls. be sure
it doesn't affect the beneficial native (often medicinal) plants in the
understory.
Thanks,
-Patricia
Patricia S. De Angelis, Ph.D.
Botanist - Division of Scientific Authority
Chair - Plant Conservation Alliance - Medicinal Plant Working Group
US Fish & Wildlife Service
4401 N. Fairfax Dr., Suite 110
Arlington, VA 22203
703-358-1708 x1753
FAX: 703-358-2276
Working for the conservation and sustainable use of our green natural
resources.
<www.nps.gov/plants/medicinal>
"S. Luke Flory" <sflory at indiana.edu>
Sent by: apwg-bounces at lists.plantconservation.org
10/02/2008 10:31 AM
To
Michael Schenk <schenkmj at earthlink.net>
cc
apwg at lists.plantconservation.org
Subject
Re: [APWG] Stilt Grass Seeds
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
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
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>>
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>> Any requests, advice or opinions posted to this list reflect ONLY the
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>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
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--
***********************************************************************
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
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