Biological invasion of the Drew University (New Jersey) Forest Preserve by Norway maple (Acer platanoides L.)

• Published in: Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club 1993-07, Vol.120 (3), p.343-349
• Main Authors: Webb, S.L, Kaunzinger, C.K
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: ACER PLATANOIDES; ACER SACCHARUM; Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Applied ecology; Biological and medical sciences; Biological invasions; BOSQUES; COMMUNAUTE VEGETALE; COMUNIDADES VEGETALES; Conservation, protection and management of environment and wildlife; Ecological invasion; ESPECE; ESPECIES; FAGUS GRANDIFOLIA; Forest canopy; Forest ecology; Forest preservation; FORESTS; FORET; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects; Maple sugar; NATIONAL PARKS; NEW JERSEY; PARC NATIONAL; PARQUES NACIONALES; PLANT COLONIZATION; PLANT COMMUNITIES; Plants; QUERCUS; RESERVED AREAS; Saplings; SPECIES; Stems; Torreya; Trees
• ISSN: 0040-9618; 2325-8055
• DOI: 10.2307/2996999

The invasiveness of nonnative Acer platanoides in an isolated New Jersey Fagus grandifolia-Quercus spp.-Acer saccharum forest preserve was investigated by comparing size and age profiles of the exotic species with those of other tree populations present. Increment cores show that Acer platanoides was present by 1915 and is now plentiful in all younger age classes. Acer platanoides is the second most abundant canopy species (17.2% of stems), outnumbered only by Fagus grandifolia (41%), and more numerous than either Acer saccharum (9.4%) or Quercus spp. (11.7%). Because of its relatively recent arrival, Acer platanoides ranks in dominance (8.2% relative basal area) below Quercus velutina (29.1%), Fagus grandifolia (26.1%), and Quercus alba (12.1%), but above Acer saccharum (1.9%). Acer platanoides seems likely to increase in importance in the future, because its abundant (>2000/ha) shade-tolerant seedlings and saplings comprise 59% of all small (DBH < 5 cm) woody stems, over twice the amount of Fagus grandifolia reproduction (23.1%) and five times the Acer saccharum reproduction (10.5%). To maintain or restore examples of relatively natural forest communities in this region, it may be necessary to restrict horticultural plantings and remove mature individuals of this popular tree in the vicinity of nature preserves.