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   Microstegium vimineum (grass)
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    Details of this species in Mississippi
    Status: Alien
    Invasiveness: Invasive
    Occurrence: Reported
    Source: USDA, NRCS, 2002
    Arrival Date: 1960
    Introduction: Unintentional (accidentally)
    Species Notes for this Location:
    Management Notes for this Location:
    Location Notes:
    Impacts:
    Competition: Tu (2000) reports that Microstegium vimineum is capable of invading wildland areas and swiftly replacing natural communities with nearly monospecific stands. Once established, M. vimineum is able to crowd out native herbaceous vegetation in wetlands and forests within three to five years (Hunt 1992, Barden 1987, in Tu, 2000).
    Modification of nutrient regime: Microstegium vimineum may be responsible for altering natural soil conditions, creating an inhospitable environment for many native species. In areas that have been invaded by M. vimineum, both litter and organic soil horizons were thinner than in uninvaded areas, and the pH of soils in invaded sites was significantly higher than in uninvaded sites (Kourtev et al. 1998, in Tu, 2000).
    Other: Established populations of Microstegium vimineum usurp quality nesting habitat from wildlife (Tu, 2000).
    Last Modified: 4/03/2005 1:06:02 p.m.


ISSG Landcare Research NBII IUCN University of Auckland