WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH GRANT PROPOSAL
WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH GRANT PROPOSAL
Project ID: NJ1161
Title: Human Components of Exotic Species Invasion in Urban Forested Wetlands
Focus Categories: Wetlands, Methods
Keywords: exotic species, invasion, biodiversity, native species, urban land use, disturbance, anthropogenic disturbances, human activities, urban ecosystems, invasibility, Arthur Kill
Start Date: 03/01/2001
End Date: 02/28/2002
Federal Funds: $4,200
Non-Federal Matching Funds: $3,575
Congressional District: 6
Principal Investigators:
Heather Bowman Cutway
Student, Rutgers, The State University
Joan G. Ehrenfeld
Professor, Rutgers, The State University
Abstract
Habitats subject to persistent natural or human disturbance are more vulnerable to invasion by exotic species. With rising urban population in the US, concerns grow for environmental quality and preservation of biodiversity, and exotic species invasion. Wetlands are of particular concern due to invasive species threat to wetland functions including flood control, storm water management, sediment trapping, water quality improvements, wildlife and plant habitat, and human use values for recreation.
It is hypothesized that different types of land use on the edge of an urban wetland will have different effects on the abundance and richness of exotic plant species, and that direct human activity correlates with a higher richness and abundance of exotic species in the wetland interior.