The effects of herbivory and competition on 'Senecio inaequidens' DC. (Asteraceae), an invasive alien plant

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Abstract
• Zusammenfassung
• Acknowledgements
• Declaration
• Introduction
• Materials and Methods
• Experimental design
• Plant material
• Seed collection
• Seed germination
• Seedling production
• Experimental treatments
• Herbivory
• Interspecific competition
• Field experiments
• Clipping experiments
• Mollusc herbivory
• Greenhouse experiment
• Laboratory experiments
• Two-way feeding preference experiments
• Damage estimation
• Statistical analysis
• Results
• Field experiments
• Clipping experiments
• Mollusc herbivory
• Greenhouse experiments
• Laboratory experiments
• Two-way feeding preference experiments
• Discussion
• Herbivory
• Interspecific competition
• Evolutionary aspects of host-plant selection
• Implications for the invasion process

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This diploma thesis investigates the influence of herbivory and plant competition on the growth, survival, and reproduction of the invasive alien plant Senecio inaequidens DC. (Asteraceae). The primary objective is to assess the effects of various herbivores, including rabbits, molluscs, and specialist insect herbivores, on the invasive potential of Senecio inaequidens.

• Impact of herbivory on Senecio inaequidens growth and reproduction
• Influence of plant competition on the invasive success of Senecio inaequidens
• Host plant selection by specialist insect herbivores and its implications for invasion
• Ecological and evolutionary factors driving the invasion of Senecio inaequidens
• Management strategies for mitigating the spread of this invasive plant

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

The thesis begins with an introduction detailing the increasing problem of invasive alien species, focusing on the specific case of Senecio inaequidens. It then outlines the materials and methods used in the study, including experimental designs, plant material, and herbivore species. The results section presents data from field, greenhouse, and laboratory experiments, evaluating the effects of herbivory and competition on Senecio inaequidens growth, survival, and reproduction.

The discussion chapter delves into the ecological implications of the findings, exploring the relationships between herbivory, competition, and the invasion dynamics of Senecio inaequidens. It also considers the evolutionary aspects of host plant selection by insect herbivores and the potential for management strategies to mitigate the spread of this invasive plant.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The thesis focuses on the following key concepts: invasive alien plants, Senecio inaequidens, herbivory, plant competition, host-plant selection, insect herbivores, ecological dynamics, invasion biology, management strategies.