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SUMMARY

Rating	Alert	Impact	Invasiveness	Distribution	Doc.
Moderate	N	B	B	A	3
Comments:
Rating 1 = High 2 = Moderate 3 = Limited 4 = Evaluated, not listed		Alert Y = Yes N = No	Scores A = Severe B = Moderate C = Limited D = None U = Unknown	Documentation 4 = Reviewed scientific publications 3 = Other published material 2 = Observational 1 = Anecdotal 0 = No information

Scores

1.1	1.2	1.3	1.4	2.1	2.2	2.3	2.4	2.5	2.6	2.7	3.1	3.2
B	B	C	U	B	B	B	A	A	B	C	A	A

IMPACT

1.1 Impact on abiotic ecosystem processes - B

Identify ecosystem processes impacted: Fire and light. Climbing Japanese honeysuckle can become ladder fuel. Fire may reach 15 feet or more into the canopy on Japanese honeysuckle vines (Munger, 2002). Non-indigenous species with high productivity that change community structure, resulting in reductions in light availability, have higher evapotranspiration rates than the native vegetation or fix nitrogen. Thus, they are likely to modify competitive interactions (Gordon 1998).

Sources of information: GORDON, D. R. 1998. EFFECTS OF INVASIVE, NON-INDIGENOUS SPECIES ON ECOSYSTEM PROCESSES: LESSONS FROM FLORIDA, Ecological Applications 8:975-989. Munger, Gregory T. 2002. Lonicera japonica. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/ [2009, September 25].

Documentation: Rev'd, Sci. Pub'n (4 pts)

1.2 Impact on plant community composition, structure, and interactions - B

Identify type of impact or alteration: Out competes and Displaces Native Species. As Gordon points out, twining of Japanese honeysuckle through canopy eventually leads to the collapse of the native canopy. Climbing can also lead to the restriction of and the toppling of small native saplings causing an opening in a canopy allowing for a monoculture growth of Japanese honeysuckle.

Sources of information: GORDON, D. R. 1998. EFFECTS OF INVASIVE, NON-INDIGENOUS SPECIES ON ECOSYSTEM PROCESSES: LESSONS FROM FLORIDA, Ecological Applications 8:975-989.

Documentation: Rev'd, Sci. Pub'n (4 pts)

1.3 Impact on higher trophic levels - C

Identify type of impact or alteration: Decrease in biodiversity. There may be an anecdotal impact due to the loss of biodiversity, but in general the cover created by Japanese honeysuckle offers refuge for various bird species and other vertebrates. Nectar is used by hummingbirds and fruits are eaten by birds. Browsers tend to use it as a food source.

Sources of information: RICKETTS, M. S., AND G. RITCHISON. 2009. NESTING SUCCESS OF YELLOW-BREASTED CHATS: EFFECTS OF NEST SITE AND TERRITORY VEGETATION STRUCTURE, The Wilson Bulletin 112:510- 516.

Documentation: Rev'd, Sci. Pub'n (4 pts)

1.4 Impact on genetic integrity - U

Identify impacts:

Sources of information:

Documentation: No Information

IMPACT: B B C U = B

INVASIVENESS

2.1 Role of anthropogenic and natural disturbance in establishment - B

Describe role of disturbance: Can readily establish in natural areas with natural disturbance. Is known to invade areas without any anthropogenic or natural disturbance. As both Munger and Starr report not only is Japanese honeysuckle prolific in disturbed areas, it can invader natural areas as well. Long range seed dispersal by birds is common and allows this species to invade various habitats such as prairies, barrens, wetlands, floodplain and upland forests.

Sources of information: Munger, Gregory T. 2002. Lonicera japonica. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/ [2009, September 28]. STARR, F., K. STARR, AND L. LOOPE. 2003. Lonicera japonica, Pp. 1-9 (U. S. G. S.-.-B. R. Division and H. F. Station, eds.), Maui, Hawai'i.

Documentation: Other Pub. Mat'l (3)

2.2 Local rate of spread with no management - B

Describe rate of spread: Increasing but less rapidly. A growth rates of 1.5 m/year is probably typical according to Leatherman, although Bell et al. recorded a maximum shoot elongation of 4.6 mm/day in Maryland. According to Dillenburg, in one year, Lonicera japonica overtopped a three-year old sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) trees. Lonicera japonica vines spread both vertically and horizontally (Williams 1994).

Sources of information: Dillenburg, L.R., D.F. Whigham, A.H. Teramura, and I.N. Forseth. 1993a. Effects of vine competition on availability of light, water, and nitrogen to a tree host (Liquidambar styraciflua). American Journal of Botany 80:244-253. Leatherman, A.D. 1955. Ecological life-history of Lonicera japonica Thunb. Ph.D. thesis. University of Tennessee. 97 pp. Williams, C.E. 1994. Invasive alien plant species of Virginia. Dept. Conservation and Recreation. Richmond, VA.

Documentation: Rev'd, Sci. Pub'n (4 pts)

2.3 Recent trend in total area infested within state - B

Describe trend: Spreading rapidly. Citizen Science data from the Invaders of Texas program is showing that Lonicera japonica is spreading rapidly throughout the state of Texas. However, the actual distribution of L. japonica is unknown throughout the state, so the citizen science data may not be a true representation of the actual spread of the species. Observations from other individuals familiar with the spread of L. japonica also confirm the rapid spread.

Sources of information: Personal communication with Dr. Damon Waitt, Senior Botanist, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and Mike Murphrey from the Texas Forest Service.

Documentation: Observational

2.4 Innate reproductive potential - A

Describe key reproductive characteristics: Refer to Worksheet A. Reaches reproductive maturity in 2 years or less: Little, S., and H. A. Somes. 1967. Results of herbicide trials to control Japanese honeysuckle. U.S. Forest Service, Northeast Forest Exp. Sta. Res. Note 62: 18.

Dense infestations produce >1,000 viable seed per square meter: Nyboer, Randy. 1992. Vegetation management guideline: Japenese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica Thunb.). Natural Areas Journal. 12(4): 217-218.

Populations of this species produce seeds every year: Munger, Gregory T. 2002. Lonicera japonica. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/ [2009, September 25].

Seed production sustained over 3 or more months within a population annually: Seeds remain viable in soil for three or more years: Leatherman, A.D. 1955. Ecological life-history of Lonicera japonica Thunb. Ph.D. thesis. University of Tennessee. 97 pp.

Viable seed produced with both self-pollination and cross-pollination: Larson, Katherine C.; Fowler, Sherry P.; Walker, Jason C. 2002. Lack of pollinators limits fruit set in the exotic Lonicera japonica. The American Midland Naturalist. 148: 54-60

Reproduces vegetatively: : Munger, Gregory T. 2002. Lonicera japonica. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/ [2009, September 25].

Has quickly spreading vegetative structures (rhizomes, roots, etc.) that may root at nodes: : Munger, Gregory T. 2002. Lonicera japonica. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/ [2009, September 25].

Fragments easily and fragments can become established elsewhere: Munger, Gregory T. 2002. Lonicera japonica. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/ [2009, September 25].

Resprouts readily when cut, grazed, or burned: : Munger, Gregory T. 2002. Lonicera japonica. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/ [2009, September 25].

Sources of information: Munger, Gregory T. 2002. Lonicera japonica. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/ [2009, September 25].

Larson, Katherine C.; Fowler, Sherry P.; Walker, Jason C. 2002. Lack of pollinators limits fruit set in the exotic Lonicera japonica. The American Midland Naturalist. 148: 54-60.

Leatherman, A.D. 1955. Ecological life-history of Lonicera japonica Thunb. Ph.D. thesis. University of Tennessee. 97 pp.

Nyboer, Randy. 1992. Vegetation management guideline: Japenese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica Thunb.). Natural Areas Journal. 12(4): 217-218.

Little, S., and H. A. Somes. 1967. Results of herbicide trials to control Japanese honeysuckle. U.S. Forest Service, Northeast Forest Exp. Sta. Res. Note 62: 18.

Documentation: Rev'd, Sci. Pub'n (4 pts)

2.5 Potential for human-caused dispersal - A

Identify dispersal mechanisms: Commercial sales for use in agriculture, ornamental, horticulture and wildlife. Lonicera japonica is commonly sold at most commercial nursery and landscape retailers throughout the state. It is common practice, in the state of Texas, to plant L. japonica as forage food for white-tailed deer in order to recruit the deer.

Sources of information: Personal knowledge by the assessor.

Documentation: Observational

2.6 Potential for natural long-distance dispersal - B

Identify dispersal mechanisms: Fruits are carried away by birds and other browsers. Japanese honeysuckle seeds are frequently dispersed by frugivorous birds and small mammals. Bird dispersal is typically by species that frequent brushy areas, thickets, and forest openings. Birds that frequent forest openings, for example, usually fly from 1 opening to another, depositing seeds at each roosting site. This means of seed dispersal generally ensures deposition in a habitat where the seedling has a high probability of success, such as beneath a sapling tree suitable for stem twining.

Sources of information: Munger, Gregory T. 2002. Lonicera japonica. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/ [2009, September 25].

Documentation: Other Pub. Mat'l (3)

2.7 Other regions invaded - C

Identify other regions: Lonicera japonica has invaded all ecoregions of Texas except the Chihuahuan desert. No known records of L. japonica invaded desert ecosystem.

Sources of information: Invaders of Texas Citizen Science data, USDA Plants Database, and The Atlas of Vascular Plants.

Documentation: Observational

INVASIVENESS: B B B A A B C = B

DISTRIBUTION

3.1 Ecological amplitude - A

Describe ecological amplitude, identifying date of source information and approximate date of introduction to the state, if known: Widespread. Invaded greater than 50% Pineywoods, 5-20% of the Cross Timbers and Prairies, Edwards Plataue, and the Blackland Prairies. Although reported in the Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, Rolling Plains, High Plains, and the South Texas Plains, the ecological amplitude is unknown. No reports of this species invading into the Chihuahuan desert.

Sources of information: Citizen science data from the Invaders of Texas Citizen Science program.

Documentation: Observational

3.2 Distribution/Peak frequency - A

Identify type of impact or alteration: Lonicera japonica has infested greater than 50% of Pineywoods.

Sources of information: Citizen science data from the Invaders of Texas Citizen Science program.

Documentation: Observational

IMPACT: A A = A

TEXAS ECOREGIONS

Source: Level III and IV Ecoregions of Texas. Griffith, G.E., Bryce, S.A., Omernik, J.M., Comstock, J.A., Rogers, A.C., Harrison, B., Hatch, S.L., and Bezanson, D., 2004, Ecoregions of Texas, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Corvallis, OR.

Score: A. means >50% of type occurrences are invaded; B means >20% to 50%; C. means >5% to 20%; D. means present but ≤5%; U. means unknown.

Code	Level III	Level IV	Score
ER01	Arizona/New Mexico Mountains	Chihuahuan Desert Slopes
		Montane Woodlands
ER02	Chihuahuan Deserts	Chihuahuan Basins and Playas
		Chihuahuan Desert Grasslands
		Low Mountains and Bajadas
		Chihuahuan Montane Woodlands
		Stockton Plateau
ER03	High Plains	Rolling Sand Plains
		Canadian/Cimarron High Plains
		Llano Estacado
		Shinnery Sands
		Arid Llano Estacado
ER04	Southwestern Tablelands	Canadian/Cimarron Breaks
		Flat Tablelands and Valleys
		Caprock Canyons, Badlands, and Breaks
		Semiarid Canadian Breaks
ER05	Central Great Plains	Red Prairie
		Broken Red Plains	A
		Limestone Plains
ER06	Cross Timbers	Eastern Crosstimbers	A
		Western Crosstimbers	A
		Grand Prairie	A
		Limestone Cut Plain	A
		Carbonate Cross Timbers
ER07	Edwards Plateau	Edwards Plateau Woodland	A
		Llano Uplift
		Balcones Canyonlands	A
		Semiarid Edwards Plateau
ER08	Southern Texas Plains	Northern Nueces Alluvial Plains
		Semiarid Edwards Bajadas
		Texas-Tamaulipan Thornscrub
		Rio Grande Floodplain and Terraces
ER09	Texas Blackland Prairies	Northern Blackland Prairies
		Southern Blackland/Fayette Prairie	A
		Floodplains and Low Terraces
ER10	East Central Texas Plains	Northern Post Oak Savanna	A
		Southern Post Oak Savanna	C
		San Antonio Prairie
		Northern Prairie Outliers
		Bastrop Lost Pines	A
		Floodplains and Low Terraces
ER11	Western Gulf Coastal Plain	Northern Humid Gulf Coastal Prairies
		Southern Subhumid Gulf Coastal Prairies
		Floodplains and Low Terraces
		Coastal Sand Plain
		Lower Rio Grande Valley
		Lower Rio Grande Alluvial Floodplain
		Texas-Louisiana Coastal Marshes
		Mid-Coast Barrier Islands and Coastal Marshes
		Laguna Madre Barrier Islands and Coastal Marshes
ER12	South Central Plains	Tertiary Uplands
		Floodplains and Low Terraces	C
		Pleistocene Fluvial Terraces	A
		Southern Tertiary Uplands	A
		Flatwoods	A
		Red River Bottomland

EVALUATORS

Evaluation Date: 2009-10-01

Evaluator 1
Travis Gallo
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center at the University of Texas at Austin
512-751-1772
tgallo@wildflower.org
4801 La Crosse Ave., Austin, Texas 78739

Evaluator 2

REVIEW

Reviewers:
Review Date: 0000-00-00
Comments:

REFERENCES