Does the Urban Heat Island Effect Provide a Competitive Edge for Invasive Species? Exploring Differences in Plant Stress Responses in Rural and Urban Environments
Disciplines
Biology | Ecology and Evolutionary Biology | Forest Biology | Plant Sciences
Abstract (300 words maximum)
Due to differences in land cover and energy use, urban areas are often warmer than surrounding rural areas causing a phenomenon known as the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect. Previous studies have found that UHIs influence fundamental processes in plants and increase plant stress, as indicated by chlorophyll fluorescence and photosynthetic rate. While these responses vary among plant species, it is not well understood how changes caused by UHIs differ between native plants and non-native plants. Non-native species frequently outcompete native species, and their competitive advantage may be further increased if they possess a greater tolerance to heat stress. This study explores differences in photosynthetic responses to heat stress by comparing two deciduous, woody shrub species that co-occur in mesic Piedmont forests: the native spicebush (Lindera benzoin) and non-native Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense). Photosynthesis, chlorophyll fluorescence, and temperature measurements were taken at three rural sites and three urban sites from June through August 2022. Additionally, cuttings were taken from the same individuals and transported to environmental chambers at Kennesaw State University, where photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence were measured at multiple temperatures from 15 °C to 30 °C. Analysis will include correlation of each site’s temperature data with species’ stress responses and determination of species’ photosynthetic temperature optima. Plants in urban locations are expected to demonstrate increased stress indicators (changes in chlorophyll fluorescence parameters and decreases in photosynthesis) compared to their rural counterparts. Within each location, reductions in photosynthesis and increases in stress indicators are expected to be greater for the native species as compared to the non-native species.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Dr. Matthew P. Weand
Does the Urban Heat Island Effect Provide a Competitive Edge for Invasive Species? Exploring Differences in Plant Stress Responses in Rural and Urban Environments
Due to differences in land cover and energy use, urban areas are often warmer than surrounding rural areas causing a phenomenon known as the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect. Previous studies have found that UHIs influence fundamental processes in plants and increase plant stress, as indicated by chlorophyll fluorescence and photosynthetic rate. While these responses vary among plant species, it is not well understood how changes caused by UHIs differ between native plants and non-native plants. Non-native species frequently outcompete native species, and their competitive advantage may be further increased if they possess a greater tolerance to heat stress. This study explores differences in photosynthetic responses to heat stress by comparing two deciduous, woody shrub species that co-occur in mesic Piedmont forests: the native spicebush (Lindera benzoin) and non-native Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense). Photosynthesis, chlorophyll fluorescence, and temperature measurements were taken at three rural sites and three urban sites from June through August 2022. Additionally, cuttings were taken from the same individuals and transported to environmental chambers at Kennesaw State University, where photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence were measured at multiple temperatures from 15 °C to 30 °C. Analysis will include correlation of each site’s temperature data with species’ stress responses and determination of species’ photosynthetic temperature optima. Plants in urban locations are expected to demonstrate increased stress indicators (changes in chlorophyll fluorescence parameters and decreases in photosynthesis) compared to their rural counterparts. Within each location, reductions in photosynthesis and increases in stress indicators are expected to be greater for the native species as compared to the non-native species.