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Invasion Ecology of the Alien Tussock Grass Nardus stricta in New Zealand

In my M.Sc. and Diplom thesis I examined the distribution, population structure, and reproductive ecology of the European matgrass Nardus stricta in its exotic habitat in New Zealand. Nardus stricta is a perennial tussock grass native to Central and Eastern Europe and was probably introduced to New Zealand approximately 100 years ago. Results showed that Nardus stricta is the most dominant species within acidic kettlehole wetlands on lateral moraine of high altitude semi-natural grasslands in South Canterbury, New Zealand. Species richness and abundance of native plants (including mosses) were significantly reduced in quadrats with high Nardus stricta density. Pollination experiments in the greenhouse with different treatments showed high seed set and germination proportions in all cases arguing for an apomictic mode of reproduction in Nardus stricta, facilitating invasion. Due to the species characteristics and the potential impact on native biodiversity, it is recommended that Nardus stricta be regarded as an environmental weed in New Zealand. It is most likely to invade low stature vegetation on acid soils, e.g. cushion communities or ephemeral wetlands, and invasion is probably assisted by grazing.

Keywords: Biological invasion, invasive species, perennial bunch grass, recruitment,
reproductive ecology, seed production, species diversity.

Publications:

  • Kissling, W.D., Schnittler, M., Seddon, P.J., Dickinson, K.J.M. & J.M. Lord (2004): Ecology and distribution of Nardus stricta L. (Poaceae) - an alien invader into New Zealand. New Zealand Natural Sciences 29: 1–12. [Abstract + PDF]
  • Kissling, W.D., Schnittler, M., Seddon, P.J., Dickinson, K.J.M. & J.M. Lord (2005): Invasion ecology of the alien tussock grass Nardus stricta (Poaceae) at Lake Pukaki, Canterbury, New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Botany 43: 601–612. [Abstract]
  • Kissling, W.D., Schnittler, M. & J.M. Lord (2006): Agamospermous seed production of the invasive tussock grass Nardus stricta L. (Poaceae) in New Zealand - Evidence from pollination experiments. Flora 201: 144–151. [Abstract]

 

Figure - The alien tussock grass Nardus stricta growing at a slope along Lake Pukaki near Mt. Cook, South Island, New Zealand.

 


W. Daniel Kissling