Impacts of Autumn Olive (Elaeagnus Umbellata Thunb.) on Stream Nitrogen Levels in Headwater Watersheds in Southern Illinois

摘要

The ability of a riparian buffer system to trap and filter pollutants is determined in part by characteristics of the vegetative cover within the buffer. Autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata Thunb.) is an exotic, invasive shrub common to the eastern and midwestern U.S. It was introduced around 1830 for food and cover for wildlife. In a series of prior research projects, the presence of autumn olive was correlated with increased soil water NO3~--N concentrations due to its N-fixing properties.