Poster Session 3, 1:15 PM - 2:00 PM: Campus Center Auditorium [A24]

Invasive Plant Awareness & Restoration Project

Presenter: Garrik E. Wilkins

Faculty Sponsor: George LoCascio

School: Mount Wachusett Community College

Research Area: Environmental Science and Sustainability

ABSTRACT

Many non-native invasive plants have been observed at Mount Wachusett Community College campus Pond Trail which raised questions such as; 1) What is the extent of the invasive species problem on campus?, 2) What are the effects of the invasive plants found in this area?, 3) How should these plants be managed?, 4) Does the surrounding community know about these invasive plants and their effects on the local ecosystem?, 5) What are the invasive plants the project should cover?, and lastly, 6) How can this project help the community take informed action against this invasive plant problem? To investigate these questions, observations using identification resources to confirm species, and cataloging data using geolocated images have been used. Additionally, research was done to investigate the community knowledge of the invasive plants on campus. We also researched the plant species life histories , their ecological effects, and the best practices for management and removal. Within the surveyed area, there was 7 prominent and abundant species:  Celastrus orbiculatus (Asiatic Bittersweet), Elaeagnus umbellata (Autum Olive), Reynoutria japonica (Japanese Knotweed), Euonymus alatus (Winged Euonymus or Burning Bush), Rosa multiflora (Multiflora Rose), Frangula alnus (Alder Buckthorn), and Acer platanoides (Norway Maple). In our findings, there seemed to be a lack of knowledge on the invasive plant populations we have on campus. It has been determined that we need a formalized process of identification and mapping, community education and outreach, and appropriate management actions are needed for the ecological health of the Mount Wachusett Community College campus.



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