Invasive species in an alvar ecosystem: A soil seed bank study and in situ vegetation surveys studying the effects of Euphorbia cyparissias on the Burnt Lands Nature Reserve (Ontario)

In-situ vegetation surveys and a greenhouse soil seed bank study were conducted on the Burnt Lands Nature Reserve alvar located in Almonte, Ontario. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of invasive alien plant species, particularly Euphorbia cyparissias, on native alvar plant communities in both the surface vegetation and at the soil seed bank level. Sixty plots were established randomly where vegetation surveys were conducted and soil samples were collected for the soil seed bank study. Spearman's Rank correlation analyses were applied to the percent crown closure of Euphorbia cyparissias in relation to soil depth, soil type, nutrient levels, above ground plant diversity and soil seed bank diversity. Results showed no statistically significant relations between measured variables and the presence or absence of Euphorbia cyparissias in the field.