Abstract:
There is a limited understanding about the ecological mechanisms that enable certain plant species to become
successful invaders of natural areas. This study was conducted to determine the soil and landscape characteristics that
correlate with invasion of Chinese privet (CHP), and to develop a model to predict the probability of CHP invasion
in Piedmont forests. A landscape ecosystem classification (LEC) system—based on the percentage of clay in the B
horizon, depth to maximum clay (cm), exposure, terrain shape, and aspect (degrees)—was used to determine the soil
moisture characteristics of invaded and uninvaded plots. Additional measurements included the cover classes of
CHP and other species, litter depth (cm), slope (degrees), overstory basal area (m2 ha21
), and soil chemical
properties. CHP invasion was negatively correlated with overstory basal area and slope and positively with litter
depth and pH. A stepwise logistic regression model containing these four variables was highly sensitive, with an
overall accuracy of 78%. Given the accuracy of this model, we propose that it can be used to calculate the probability
of invasion in a given area, provided that some basic, readily obtainable site characteristics are known.
Nomenclature: Chinese privet, Ligustrum sinense Lour.
Key words: Alien species, disturbance, exotic, forests, management, nonnative.
