SEEDLING DISTRIBUTION AND POTENTIAL PERSISTENCE OF THE EXOTIC SHRUB LONICERA-MAACKII IN FRAGMENTED FORESTS

Successful invasion of eastern deciduous forests by the exotic shrub Lonicera maackii (Rupr.) Maxim. is well-documented, but little is known about seed germination or seedling establishment in this species. Our research suggested that most seeds are dispersed in a nondormant condition. After 88 days, mean cumulative germination percentages of untreated seeds ranged from 54-81% in light and from 31-55% in dark. Seedling density and light availability declined in parallel along transects extending from forest edges to forest interiors. Mean seedling densities ranged from 5-328 seedlings/m(2). Gap formation in forest interiors was not as conducive to seedling establishment as was the presence of edges. Still, this invasive shrub can establish seedlings throughout a wide range of light environments in fragmented forests.