Dynamics of weed populations in a northern subarctic community

The introduced flora of Churchill, northern Manitoba, was studied to draw some conclusions about the dynamics of weeds in northern subarctic communities in general. One hundred and six introduced species have been recorded at Churchill. Fifty-five percent of these were "temporary," dying o...

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Published in:Canadian Journal of Botany
Main Authors: Staniforth, Richard J., Scott, Peter A.
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1991
Subjects:
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/b91-106
http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/b91-106
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spelling crcansciencepubl:10.1139/b91-106 2024-09-09T19:36:37+00:00 Dynamics of weed populations in a northern subarctic community Staniforth, Richard J. Scott, Peter A. 1991 http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/b91-106 http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/b91-106 en eng Canadian Science Publishing http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/page/about/CorporateTextAndDataMining Canadian Journal of Botany volume 69, issue 4, page 814-821 ISSN 0008-4026 journal-article 1991 crcansciencepubl https://doi.org/10.1139/b91-106 2024-08-15T04:09:32Z The introduced flora of Churchill, northern Manitoba, was studied to draw some conclusions about the dynamics of weeds in northern subarctic communities in general. One hundred and six introduced species have been recorded at Churchill. Fifty-five percent of these were "temporary," dying out when original colonizers senesced (e.g., Avena spp., Setaria viridis). Seventeen percent were "established," i.e., able to set viable seed and maintain their populations (e.g., Thlaspi arvense, Crepis tectorum). Twenty-eight percent "persisted" locally by vegetative propagation or repeated seed input (e.g., Linaria vulgaris, Chenopodium album s.l.). The findings were compared with those of an earlier study. The number of species and their local distributions around Churchill have increased in the last 30 years. This may be due to an increase and diversification in the traffic with southern regions or to an amelioration in the climate. Although one in five species in the vicinity of Churchill are introduced, usually fewer than 12 weed species were established at any one site. Abandoned sites exhibited a rapid disappearance of weeds. Depauperate individuals of a few species were found away from inhabited areas, with none occurring in natural communities. Organic material in refuse tips provided a mild environment with a long growing season. Refuse tips may act as refuges for weeds and as potential sources of their seeds. Aliens that were successful at seed production were either perennials, winter annuals, or biennials. These plants flowered early and hence are able to ripen their seeds. Years with long growing seasons may allow seed production in otherwise temporary species. Dynamics of weedy species around Churchill will likely reflect current and (or) future events in other, more isolated northern communities. Key words: subarctic, weeds, introduced plants. Article in Journal/Newspaper Churchill Subarctic Canadian Science Publishing Ripen ENVELOPE(17.101,17.101,68.748,68.748) Canadian Journal of Botany 69 4 814 821
institution Open Polar
collection Canadian Science Publishing
op_collection_id crcansciencepubl
language English
description The introduced flora of Churchill, northern Manitoba, was studied to draw some conclusions about the dynamics of weeds in northern subarctic communities in general. One hundred and six introduced species have been recorded at Churchill. Fifty-five percent of these were "temporary," dying out when original colonizers senesced (e.g., Avena spp., Setaria viridis). Seventeen percent were "established," i.e., able to set viable seed and maintain their populations (e.g., Thlaspi arvense, Crepis tectorum). Twenty-eight percent "persisted" locally by vegetative propagation or repeated seed input (e.g., Linaria vulgaris, Chenopodium album s.l.). The findings were compared with those of an earlier study. The number of species and their local distributions around Churchill have increased in the last 30 years. This may be due to an increase and diversification in the traffic with southern regions or to an amelioration in the climate. Although one in five species in the vicinity of Churchill are introduced, usually fewer than 12 weed species were established at any one site. Abandoned sites exhibited a rapid disappearance of weeds. Depauperate individuals of a few species were found away from inhabited areas, with none occurring in natural communities. Organic material in refuse tips provided a mild environment with a long growing season. Refuse tips may act as refuges for weeds and as potential sources of their seeds. Aliens that were successful at seed production were either perennials, winter annuals, or biennials. These plants flowered early and hence are able to ripen their seeds. Years with long growing seasons may allow seed production in otherwise temporary species. Dynamics of weedy species around Churchill will likely reflect current and (or) future events in other, more isolated northern communities. Key words: subarctic, weeds, introduced plants.
format Article in Journal/Newspaper
author Staniforth, Richard J.
Scott, Peter A.
spellingShingle Staniforth, Richard J.
Scott, Peter A.
Dynamics of weed populations in a northern subarctic community
author_facet Staniforth, Richard J.
Scott, Peter A.
author_sort Staniforth, Richard J.
title Dynamics of weed populations in a northern subarctic community
title_short Dynamics of weed populations in a northern subarctic community
title_full Dynamics of weed populations in a northern subarctic community
title_fullStr Dynamics of weed populations in a northern subarctic community
title_full_unstemmed Dynamics of weed populations in a northern subarctic community
title_sort dynamics of weed populations in a northern subarctic community
publisher Canadian Science Publishing
publishDate 1991
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/b91-106
http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/b91-106
long_lat ENVELOPE(17.101,17.101,68.748,68.748)
geographic Ripen
geographic_facet Ripen
genre Churchill
Subarctic
genre_facet Churchill
Subarctic
op_source Canadian Journal of Botany
volume 69, issue 4, page 814-821
ISSN 0008-4026
op_rights http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/page/about/CorporateTextAndDataMining
op_doi https://doi.org/10.1139/b91-106
container_title Canadian Journal of Botany
container_volume 69
container_issue 4
container_start_page 814
op_container_end_page 821
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