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Mentor(s): Hank Stevens, Ph.D.

Invasive species that do not rely on ecosystem gaps are poorly understood, yet they pose serious threats to ecosystem health. This study focuses on O. undulatifolius and its impact on plant communities, particularly in terms of diversity, composition, and functional group cover. The hypothesis proposed that if O. undulatifolius competes more with grasses, it may share similar resource strategies. Research was conducted in Patapsco Valley State Park, Maryland. Forty plots were established—some treated with hand-weeding, clethodim, or glyphosate, and half were fenced to examine deer herbivory. Circular plots served as negative controls. Linear and mixed models were used to analyze species responses. Findings revealed that removal treatments significantly altered species composition and that O. undulatifolius strongly suppressed native species diversity. These results support the conclusion that O. undulatifolius drives community change through reduced diversity and altered composition. Future work will assess how deer herbivory affects the species’ establishment. This research contributes valuable insights into the management, prevention, and ecological impact of invasive species.