AWS Participates in an International Garlic Mustard Field Survey

Written by Mallory Shramek, AWS Summer Stewardship Intern

Earlier on last month AWS participated in the Global Garlic Mustard Field Survey in an effort to contribute to the gap of information on the invasive species, Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata), one of the worst invasive species in North America.  According to the leaders of this global initiative, it is generally believed that invasive species are larger and reproduce more than their native ancestors, but there is very little data to support this!  The ultimate goal of this research project is to assess the differences between Garlic mustard growth in its native and introduced ranges in order to better understand the species and to develop better control methods.  This field survey is a project of the Global Invasions Network, funded by the National Science Foundation, and led by leaders from Duke University, University of Bern (Switzerland), and Fordham University.

Garlic mustard is a European herb native to the Eurasian temperate zone.  It is a species of severe concern in North America because it dominates deciduous forests and outcompetes the native species for resources, reducing native species diversity.  In addition, it produces secondary compounds, such as glucosinolates and cyanide, which are harmful to native invertebrate and vertebrate herbivores.  The abundance of Garlic mustard varies considerably over space and time and this survey was initiated in order to determine why these differences occur.

This international survey involves the use of a simple, standardized sampling protocol that is designed to be used by scientists, educators, and citizen-scientists.  You can participate too!  Participants in this survey are required to identify two populations of garlic mustard, one in low light and one in high sunlight conditions.  In each population, participants have to collect data on the performance of garlic mustard by counting and measuring every single plant within the transect's small plots.  This is measured by size, fecundity of individuals, and density of the plant.  Participants have to identify and measure first-year rosettes and second-year flowering adults separately.  Finally, participants collect numerous seeds for potential future experiments.  This entire process only takes a few hours of work.

We hope to have results on the survey later on this summer.  Results from particpants all over Europe and North America are posted in a Google Map on the project's website.