Native Bamboo [Arundinaria gigantea (Walter) Muhl., Poaceae] Establishment and Growth after the Removal of an Invasive Non-Native Shrub (Ligustrum sinense Lour., Oleaceae): Implications for Restoration

Abstract

Giant cane (Arundinaria gigantea) is a native bamboo species that was once abundant in wetlands and riparian areas throughout the Southeastern United States. As part of an effort to identify competitive-dominant native species that can be utilized to maximize the restoration of riparian ecosystem functions/services and reduce non-native community invasibility, we transplanted cane clump divisions into areas either dominated by or recently cleared of Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense), an invasive non-native shrub. We quantified cane survival and growth in the presence of privet and other plants including several common invasive non-natives. Removal of mature privet via a cut and paint application of glyphosate herbicide resulted in 100% mortality. Cane survival was high in both the high and low-light conditions provided by the opposing privet treatments. During the first year, there was little cane growth or expansion in either privet treatment. In the second year, cane growth and expansion in the Privet-Present treatment was also very low. However, during the second year in the Privet-Removed treatment, cane genets produced more ramets, increased in genet area, and developed ramets that were taller and thicker. Despite very high recruitment and cover of Japanese stilt grass (Microstegium vimineum) and other common invasive non-natives in the Privet-Removed treatment, transplanted cane genets continue to grow and expand. Our future research will continue to monitor the rate of cane growth as we investigate whether cane can compete with the common non-native invasive species that are dominant at this site and at other riparian ecosystems throughout the region.