Causes and consequences of Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense lour.) invasion in hydrologically altered forested wetlands

What drives invasive species success? My research consists of four studies aiming to answer this question for Ligustrum sinense. The four projects are: (1) Synthesis of invasion literature within passenger-driver-backseat driver frameworks; (2) hydrochory investigation of water as a dispersal mechanism for invasion; (3) ecohydrology investigation of inundation effects on seed viability of L. sinense; (4) dendrochronology study of the effects of stream channelization and L. sinense invasion on bottomland oak tree growth. Results suggest that L. sinense initially invaded habitats that were hydrologically altered, resulting in drier conditions and a "novel niche." Dispersal via hydrochory allowed L. sinense to quickly colonize the novel niches. Once established, L. sinense competed with native oak species contributing to reduced growth rates, an "invasion meltdown." Control strategies should aim to remove L. sinense and return natural hydrologic regimes, or should consist of human-assisted re-establishment of native species that can thrive in altered conditions.