Alliaria petiolata and its Invasive Effects, Both Above- and Below-Ground

Abstract

Alliaria petiolata, known commonly as garlic mustard, is a high-profile invasive herbaceous species that has made appearances in over 40 Wisconsin counties. This invasive species, found primarily in deciduous forests, has been shown through various studies to decrease the growth and reproductive success of species native to the invaded ecosystems. In addition, garlic mustard disrupts underground colonization of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, which many plants depend on for nutrient gain. In this multi-dimensional study, garlic mustard’s effects on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi colonization and native herbaceous species growth were observed in a Wisconsin forest. Garlic mustard was treated both through removal and cutting. Soil samples were taken weekly, intended for analysis on roots and fungi colonization on those roots. The cover, abundance, and height of garlic mustard and native species was observed over the course of the study. The soil samples were not able to be analyzed. Other data did not show any significant differences in plant height or size between plots in which garlic mustard was present, removed, absent, or cut.