Species distribution models must balance the need for model generality with that for precision and accuracy. This is critical when modelling range-expanding species such as invasive species. Given the increased use of species distribution models to study invasive species-landscape relationships, a better understanding of the effect of spatial scales, sampling biases, model transferability and discrepancies between different models’ future predictions is necessary. This dissertation addresses these knowledge gaps using mute swans (Cygnus olor) as a case study species. I specifically examine mute swan’s distributions in parts of their native range of Britain and their non-native range of Ontario, Canada. I first investigate which environmental variables at which spatial scales best explain mute swan’s distribution in its non-native range. Second, I perform a sample selection bias study to examine predictive accuracy when species distribution models are built using varying ranges of environmental variables and applied to broader spatial extents. Third, I examine the potential for, and limitations of model transferability between native and non-native regions. Finally, I use two different modelling approaches and three different climate change and land use change scenarios to predict future mute swan habitat suitability. The results indicate that (1) models with better predictive accuracy include environmental variables from multiple ecologically-meaningful scales and measured at spatial extents that include a broad range of environmental variable values; (2) models can exhibit asymmetrical transferability; (3) climate change will facilitate mute swan range expansion in the future more than land use change; and (4) mute swans are often found near urban waterbodies. When modelling invasive species distributions, I suggest that ecologists consider: (I) spatial scale of the underlying landscape processes and species’ use of the landscape; (II) variability and range of each environmental variable used for building models; and (III) stage of establishment of the invasive species.

Species distribution models must balance the need for model generality with that for precision and accuracy. This is critical when modelling range-expanding species such as invasive species. Given the increased use of species distribution models to study invasive species-landscape relationships, a better understanding of the effect of spatial scales, sampling biases, model transferability and discrepancies between different models’ future predictions is necessary. This dissertation addresses these knowledge gaps using mute swans (Cygnus olor) as a case study species. I specifically examine mute swan’s distributions in parts of their native range of Britain and their non-native range of Ontario, Canada. I first investigate which environmental variables at which spatial scales best explain mute swan’s distribution in its non-native range. Second, I perform a sample selection bias study to examine predictive accuracy when species distribution models are built using varying ranges of environmental variables and applied to broader spatial extents. Third, I examine the potential for, and limitations of model transferability between native and non-native regions. Finally, I use two different modelling approaches and three different climate change and land use change scenarios to predict future mute swan habitat suitability. The results indicate that (1) models with better predictive accuracy include environmental variables from multiple ecologically-meaningful scales and measured at spatial extents that include a broad range of environmental variable values; (2) models can exhibit asymmetrical transferability; (3) climate change will facilitate mute swan range expansion in the future more than land use change; and (4) mute swans are often found near urban waterbodies. When modelling invasive species distributions, I suggest that ecologists consider: (I) spatial scale of the underlying landscape processes and species’ use of the landscape; (II) variability and range of each environmental variable used for building models; and (III) stage of establishment of the invasive species.

In order to predict future range shifts for invasive species it is important to explore their ability to acclimate to the new environment and understand physiological and reproductive constraints controlling their distribution. My dissertation studied mechanisms by which temperature may affect the distribution of two of the most aggressive plant invaders in North America, Bromus tectorum and Bromus rubens. While Bromus tectorum is dominant in the “cold desert” steppes of the Intermountain region of western North America, B. rubens is one of the severe grass invaders in the “hot deserts” of southwestern North America. I first evaluated whether winter freezing tolerance is the mechanism responsible for the distinct northern range limits of Bromus species. Bromus rubens has a slower rate of freezing acclimation that leads to intolerance of sudden, late-autumn reductions in temperature below -12°C, Bromus tectorum, by contrast, cold hardens rapidly and is not impacted by the sudden severe late-autumn cold. Photosynthetic response to temperature does not explain their current range separation. Bromus species differ little in their photosynthetic temperature responses and the acclimation pattern of photosynthesis. Both species acclimated to a broad range of temperature through the amelioration of Pi regeneration limitation at sub-optimal temperatures and improved carboxylation capacity above the thermal optimum which probably resulted from increased thermostability of Rubisco activase. The effect of elevated temperatures during flowering on the seed yield of Bromus species demonstrates that neither species produces seed at 36°C and above. These thresholds are close to temperatures encountered during flowering in their natural environment. In summary, climatic changes will cause northward range expansion of Bromus species due to less severe autumn and winter, while reproductive failure could cause range contraction at their southern margins.

Freshwater ecosystems face unprecedented levels of human-induced stresses and it is expected that the invasion of non-indigenous species will cause the greatest loss of biodiversity in lakes and rivers worldwide. Bythotrephes longimanus is a predatory invertebrate that invaded North America in the early 1980s, first being detected in the Great Lakes, and then moving to a number of inland lakes in Ontario and the northern United States. Using experimental and survey-based approaches, I tested several hypotheses concerning the effects of Bythotrephes on native zooplankton community structure and function. My results indicate that Bythotrephes reduces total abundance, biomass, and richness of zooplankton, especially cladoceran taxa, throughout the ice-free season. As a result of high predation pressure by the invader, total seasonal and epilimnetic zooplankton production was also substantially reduced in invaded lakes, which may have important consequences for the transfer of energy to fish and other taxa that feed on zooplankton. Interestingly, there was some evidence that zooplankton shifted their reproduction in time and space to avoid Bythotrephes, which may buffer the effects of the invader on food web functioning. Other measures of ecosystem function were relatively unaffected by the invasion of Bythotrephes. In addition, Bythotrephes may interact in unexpected ways with other anthropogenic stressors, and act to slow down the process of recovery by preying on species that maintain community abundance during acidification, but also affecting species attempting to recolonize historically acidified lakes. Although dispersal of zooplankton may maintain some of the ecosystem functions provided by zooplankton communities, loss of biodiversity may be a permanent result of invasion. The effects of the continued spread of invasive species across the landscape may be profound, as the invader Bythotrephes has demonstrably altered zooplankton communities and may reduce the ability of freshwater ecosystems to respond to future environmental change and maintain ecosystem functioning. / Thesis (Ph.D, Biology) -- Queen's University, 2007-07-19 14:56:57.102

Bythotrephes longimanus is an invasive, macroinvertebrate from Eurasia that was introduced into the Great Lakes region in the mid 1980s. Bythotrephes introductions into lake ecosystems have resulted in substantial changes in zooplankton communities, including declines in species richness, abundance, biomass and production. Changes in zooplankton communities may alter the quantity and quality of prey to other predators such as cisco (Coregonus artedii), a pelagic forage fish. Here, I conduct a current day comparison of cisco populations to determine if prey consumption by cisco differs in the presence of Bythotrephes, and whether changes in diet result in energetic consequences (changes in growth and condition) for cisco. Effects of Bythotrephes on native zooplankton communities have resulted in substantial changes in the variety and proportion biomass of zooplankton and macroinvertebrate prey types in cisco stomachs, which have in turn modified growth of cisco. Cisco taken from invaded lakes achieve greater total lengths but changes in condition were not detected. This effect may be driven by improved growth in the second and subsequent growing seasons, suggesting that growth consequences for young fish (that do not feed on Bythotrephes) are different than for older individuals. Length-at-structure age data indicate that by the end of the first growing season (age 1) cisco achieve comparable total body lengths in invaded and reference lakes, suggesting that food consumption by young cisco remains unchanged by Bythotrephes. Alternatively, young cisco forage may be reduced in the presence of Bythotrephes, resulting in decreased survival and similar growth among individuals that survive to age 1. In contrast, despite changes in the zooplankton community; growth of older fish (≥ age 2) was enhanced in lakes that have Bythotrephes. Improved growth among older cisco (≥ age 2) in invaded lakes may be related to the presence of a newly attainable, high energy prey source (Bythotrephes). Alternatively, enhanced growth may be explained by lower competition due to reduced recruitment of young cisco (≤ age 1) in invaded lakes. Increased knowledge regarding the effects of Bythotrephes on growth of cisco is important in furthering our understanding of its impact on lake ecosystems. / Thesis (Master, Biology) -- Queen's University, 2010-04-28 22:46:07.756

No description available.

Interactions between multiple anthropogenic stressors can have unexpected synergistic or antagonistic effects, making it difficult to predict their combined effect using single stressor studies. The interaction between invasive consumers and nutrient enrichment is particularly important as both of these stressors frequently co-occur and their respective bottom-up and top-down effects have the potential to interact across multiple trophic levels. We conducted a mesocosm experiment that crossed an increasing nutrient addition gradient against an increasing zebra mussel invasion gradient. Native zooplankton communities were added to the mesocosms, and after three months we examined how the single stressor effects on available resources and the zooplankton community were altered by their multiple stressor interaction. Added nutrients had no effect on primary producer abundance, but increased the abundance and dominance of the top consumer, which likely increased predation pressure on the producers and so prevented their response to increased nutrients. Zebra mussels reduced total phytoplankton abundance by ~75%, rotifer abundance by ~80%, and shifted communities towards dominance of cladocerans and adult/juvenile copepods. When combined, the top-down control exerted by the mussels interacted antagonistically to prevent any bottom-up influence of nutrient enrichment on the zooplankton community. These results provide insight into the potential outcomes of nutrient and invasive consumer stressor interactions, and illustrate the need for researchers to consider single stressor problems in a multiple stressor context. / Thesis (Master, Biology) -- Queen's University, 2014-01-31 15:20:15.387

Coastal sage scrub (CSS), a lowland plant community native to California, is home to many rare, threatened, or endangered plants and animals. Fire, a natural feature of CSS, is essential for maintaining species diversity. However, the invasion of non-native grasses has altered the fire regime in CSS, increasing fire frequency and fire season length and decreasing fire intensity. Changes in the historical fire regime may in turn cause feedbacks that favor non-native species, resulting in the loss of biodiversity in invaded CSS sites. Numerous studies have examined patterns of post-fire succession in CSS; however, the role that the pre-fire seed bank and the relative abundance of natives to non-natives play in vegetation regrowth and community recovery is unclear. A lack of adequate pre-fire data on community composition makes testing hypotheses about the role of seed banks in post-fire recovery challenging. I propose to study recovery of the plant community in two differentially invaded CSS sites (East and West field) following a fire at the Bernard Field Station in September 2013. Data collected at the two sites from 2009-2013 reveal that non-native grass cover was significantly higher than native cover at both sites, though the West field had slightly higher native forb cover. Furthermore, the invasive grass Bromus diandrus almost entirely dominated the East field. Vegetation cover in the West field was more diverse with the abundance of other non-natives (Bromus hordeaceus, Bromus madritensis, Vulpia myuros) and natives (Amsinckia menziesii, Lupinus spp.) significantly higher than in the East field. To determine the effects of these pre-fire differences on recovery processes, I will carry out a randomized block experiment with four treatments (control, native seed addition, non-native grass removal, and both native seed addition and removal of non-native grasses). Twelve blocks will be evenly divided between the East and West fields. I propose to measure relative seedling abundance for both native and non-native species after each significant rainstorm over a three-year study period. I hypothesize that the composition of seed banks pre-fire will predict vegetation regrowth post-fire. Specifically, I predict that, under control conditions, B. diandrus will dominate the East field post-fire given its high abundance pre-fire. Further, I predict that regrowth in controls plots in the West field will be more variable given its more diverse seed bank pre-fire. Lastly, I predict that native forbs will exhibit the greatest degree of recovery in plots where active restoration methods (seeding and non-native grass removal) are employed; the effects of these restoration methods should be strongest in the East field because the pre-fire vegetation community was more heavily weighed towards non-native species. This study will add crucial knowledge to our understanding of how the pre-fire seed bank in CSS affects its recovery post-fire, which may inform future conservation efforts to ensure the continued health and protection of CSS sites around California.

Kentucky’s disappearing native grassland communities provide habitat for native flora and fauna. A study was conducted to compare the efficacy of herbicides in control of the invasive Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) applied at times when most native species are dormant. Six herbicide mixtures (glyphosate, glyphosate + imazapyr, glyphosate + imazapic, imazapyr, triclopyr + difluphenzopyr, and metsulfuron + difluphenzopyr) were applied in three seasons to assess the effect of application timing of each mixture on honeysuckle control. Herbicides were applied with a CO2 pressurized sprayer at three sites in a randomized complete block design. Pretreatment sampling indicated that Japanese honeysuckle constituted over 70% of plant cover at the study sites. Post-treatment sampling was conducted 60 days, 180 days, 420 days, and 540 days after the final application. All mixtures decreased percent cover of honeysuckle with varying effectiveness. Results indicate that the glyphosate, imazapyr, and metsulfuron + difluphenzopyr mixtures are particularly effective at controlling Japanese honeysuckle when applied at any time between October and April with suitable temperatures. Many native grasses and broadleaf forbs not found during pretreatment sampling also emerged post-treatment, either benefiting from application timing or indicating herbicide tolerance.

Cattails (Typha spp.) are invasive and tend to decrease the biodiversity and area of open water of marshes, particularly where the natural hydrological cycles have been altered, as in Delta Marsh, Manitoba. Understanding the distribution of T. latifolia L., T. angustifolia L., their hybrid, T. x glauca Godr., and the environmental variables associated with their habitats, may give valuable insight for managing cattails. The distribution of these cattail species and hybrid were surveyed in 2011 in prairie pothole and roadside ditch marshes across southwestern Manitoba and southeastern Saskatchewan. Plants were identified by analysis of microscopic leaf-lamina margin characteristics. T. x glauca was most widespread, followed by T. latifolia, whereas T. angustifolia was rare and only found as far west as central Manitoba. Current understanding of the correlations between cattail invasions and their environment is conflicting and largely based on lacustrine wetland studies. A generalized linear model was developed. The model explained approximately 40% of the variation in T. x glauca distribution in the prairie potholes and ditches. The model included the environmental variables of sediment Olsen-P, sediment nitrate-N, water pH, litter depth, surrounding land use, and the interaction between Olsen-P and nitrate-N. Olsen-P was the most important of these variables, because its removal from the model significantly reduced the residual deviance of the model (P=0.05). In a survey of 13 transects throughout Delta Marsh in 2009, hybrid cattail, T. x glauca, was dominant, T. angustifolia was rare, and T. latifolia was absent. ANOVA linear regression (P=0.05) revealed that above-ground biomass was correlated with mean cattail ramet height, cattail ramet density, and standing litter biomass. Cattail ramet density was negatively correlated with sampling date and positively correlated with standing litter biomass. Mean cattail height was correlated with fallen litter biomass. One-way ANOVA (P=0.05) revealed that fallen litter biomass was lowest in quadrats closer to the open water, and mean cattail height was greatest at the quadrats closest to the open water. While mean cattail height differed depending on whether the cattail stand was a hybrid monoculture or a mixed stand of T. x glauca and T. angustifolia, no other cattail population variables were correlated with stand type. As revealed by one-way ANOVA (P=0.05), water conductivity, sediment texture, total-N, nitrate-N, Olsen-P, and organic-C were not important variables in the distributions of T. x glauca or T. angustifolia at Delta Marsh. Therefore, managing the nutrient levels at Delta Marsh would not likely be important for limiting the distribution of the cattails at this marsh. However, reducing the P concentration in pothole and ditch marshes may limit cattails in those environments.