Growth+patterns+of+the+Japanese+Knotweed


 * //   Growth Patterns of the Japanese Knotweed  //**

**Title**:  __Invasive Species: The Japanese Knotweed__

**Introduction/Thesis Question**: 

 When our group was formed we thought that we were easily going to find an experiment but we were in total dismay when we realized we had no idea what we wanted to do. Something we thought was going to be a simple thing wound up turning into a daunting task. We went to Flat Rock Brook to brainstorm and we saw a plant that was growing throughout Flat Rock Book and seeing as we were assigned invasive species, we figured that this would be a good pla nt to use. We spoke to the ranger (R      <span style="color: rgb(98, 245, 25)"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)">   <span style="color: rgb(31, 244, 46)"><span style="color: rgb(98, 245, 25)"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)">anger Mark) and he told us that the plant was called Japanese Knotweed. Then it hit us, for our project we examine the growth patterns of the Japanese Knotweed in Flat Rock Brook and look at the affects it has on its surroundings. So this is what we decided to study. **What are the growth patterns of the Japanese Knotweed in Flat Rock Brook throughout the year?**

<span style="font-size: 120%; color: rgb(0, 255, 45); text-align: center; display: block">**Hypothesis**: Our hypothesis was that the Japanese Knotweed would die down in the winter, and would just leave behind its dried up leaves and stems. We predicted the Japanese Knotweed to reappear at the end of the winter towards the beginning of spring and fully bloom through the whole summer. In the Fall we predicted that the leaves of the Japanese Knotweed would turn from its green to a golden brown color, and slowly droop until the winter weather temporarily kills the Japanese Knotweed before its rebirth at the end of the season.

<span style="color: rgb(16, 203, 38); text-align: center; display: block">**Abstract**: In today’s world invasive species, although sometimes undesirable, can sometimes be unavoidable. They are a part of nature and the environment that we, other species, have to deal with. The Japanese Knotweed is an abundant, fast-growing plant that can and will dominate, once introduced, to a specific site.

<span style="font-size: 120%; color: rgb(39, 236, 69); text-align: center; display: block">**Background**:

The Japanese knotweed originated from Japan, it is notorious to be one of the most invasive species around the globe. In 1825, the Japanese Knotweed was introduced to the UK, followed by North America in 1890. The Knotweed plant is commonly used to soothe soils, garbage dumps and other unsanitary surroundings. The Japanese is found in numerous places, such as: Wisconsin, Louisiana, Maine, Long Island, and various locations in Western United States ([|http://www.peconicestuary.org/InvPolygonum.html).The] Japanese Knotweed, also referred to “Fallopia japonica”( [|http://www.invasive.org/eastern/biocontrol/12Knotweed.html)], is an invasive plant, that stems from the ground in a think, hollow and bamboo-like form.

The Knotweed grows in many different types of soil such as; silt, loam, and sands, with a PH level that ranges from 4.5-7.4. When searching for the Knotweed, one would usually detect it in a moist and luminous area ([|http://www.invasive.org/eastern/biocontrol/12Knotweed.html).] As a result of the Knotweed’s necessity of sunlight, the Japanese Knotweed struggles to survive in forests. During the winter, there is no growth or existence of the Knotweed, however, the plant starts to sprout in the early spring, progressing rapidly (about 8 cm per day) throughout the summer. While the plant continues to grow throughout the spring and early summer, the blossoming of both the flowers and leaves do not occur until late august or early September.( [|http://www.fs.fed.us/r10/spf/fhp/leaflets/japanese_knotweed.htm)]

The reproduction of the Knotweed can occur in many different ways. Insect pollination, sexual reproduction, wind dispersal of seeds or by sterile male or female knotweed, which go through hybridization. As a result of their deep roots, the Knotweed is able to access significant nutrients and water that many other plants cannot reach ([|http://www.thelkgroup.com/japanese-knotweed.html).] The root of the Japanese knotweed is made up of rhizomes, which send shoots out about 45- 60 feet away from the parent plants. The Rhizomes are a knotty/ leathery brown, and the fresh rhizomes usually consist of a “dark orange central core”, along with an “orange/yellow outer ring” ([|http://www.peconicestuary.org/InvPolygonum.html).] This demonstrates a rapid growth of the knotweed; however another fast way the plant reproduces is by their seeds that travel through wind or water. When the seeds disperse, the knotweed forms dense colonies, making it difficult for other plants to survive. ([|http://128.104.239.6/uw_weeds/extension/articles/japknotweed.htm)] In order for the Knotweed to grow, it must be exceedingly moist, as soon as the season shifts to colder climates, the Japanese Knotweed dies out. It is remarkably challenging to control the dominance of the knotweed, because even if the growth above the ground is destroyed, the rhizomes which are underground still remain alive, and constantly reproduce the growth of the knotweed. The Japanese Knotweed is a threat to the environment, because it decreases diversity and often created erosion and flooding. The knotweed is extremely hard to eradicate, and thus causes disturbance to other plants and soil. The patchiness and denseness of the plant displace other plant life, and often reduces wildlife habitat. Another threat that the knotweed introduces, is the restriction of access along paths, riverbanks, and roads. It reduces land value and affects “soil decomposition”, “invertebrate soil communities”, insects and even food chains ([|http://www.thelkgroup.com/japanese-knotweed.html).] The United States is estimated to spend about $500 million each year on weed control, and repairing flood, and road damages.

It’s fair to say that there is no ideal and productive method of destroying the Japanese knotweed, however there are in fact a few short term methods that help eradicate the dominant plant. One known way of reducing the knotweed is by “grubbing”, in order to accomplish this, one must dig deep into the ground and rip out all the roots. This method is often unsuccessful because if the tiniest bit of root is left, the plant will instantly re-sprout. Another common way of management is by using “Herbicides”, which is carefully sprayed onto the plant, avoiding non targeted plants. This way of management is only used on a large population of knotweeds. Using herbicides is extremely crucial, because it can easily be injecting or sprayed onto the wrong plant, which will inevitably result in the plant’s death.

<span style="font-size: 120%; color: rgb(31, 224, 65); text-align: center; display: block">**Materials**: - Ruler, Tape Measure (centimeter) - Magellan Explorer 400 GPS System - Camera - Rapitest 4 Soil Probe - Pen to record notes - Paper and clipboard to keep track of our data and information

<span style="font-size: 140%; color: rgb(32, 223, 36); text-align: center; display: block">**Methods**: First thing to do when measuring the invasive Japanese Knotweed is to go to the site of the species. In our case it was located at Flat Rock Brook, in Englewood, New Jersey. From there retrieve one of the rangers to assist you in pointing out areas where the Japanese Knotweed is present. Once having spotted the Japanese Knotweed it is a good idea to record a description of its surrounding environment and the plant itself. From there you are ready to collect your data. Start by using your ruler or tape measure to measure the different lengths of the lower, middle, and upper parts of the Japanese Knotweed. Once you record this in your notes then you need to convert the inches to centimeters by multiplying the length by 2.54. This will give you the lengths of the lower, middle, and upper parts of the Japanese Knotweed in centimeters. Now you are ready to test the soil for pH and light. Stick your Rapitest 4 Soil Probe in the soil surrounding the Japanese Knotweed. This will indicate what the soils pH is and the measurement of light surrounding it. Add this to the data in your notes. The last piece of data to record is the coordinates from the Magellan Explorer 400 GPS System. You stand by the designated area where the Japanese Knotweed lays, and press the button to display the coordinates. We added these coordinates to the data in our notes.

<span style="font-size: 140%; color: rgb(32, 233, 46); text-align: center; display: block">**Results:** We || <span style="color: rgb(23, 211, 36)"> || <span style="color: rgb(23, 211, 36)">** Height of Stems (Cm) ** || <span style="color: rgb(23, 211, 36)">** Diameter of Stems (Cm) ** || || <span style="color: rgb(23, 211, 36)"> Lower || <span style="color: rgb(23, 211, 36)"> 10 || <span style="color: rgb(23, 211, 36)"> 0.9 || || <span style="color: rgb(23, 211, 36)"> Middle || <span style="color: rgb(23, 211, 36)"> 8 || <span style="color: rgb(23, 211, 36)"> 0.7 || || <span style="color: rgb(23, 211, 36)"> Upper || <span style="color: rgb(23, 211, 36)"> 5 || <span style="color: rgb(23, 211, 36)"> 0.3 || || <span style="color: rgb(23, 211, 36)"> || <span style="color: rgb(23, 211, 36)">** Height of Stems (Cm) ** || <span style="color: rgb(23, 211, 36)">** Diameter of Stems (Cm) ** || || <span style="color: rgb(23, 211, 36)"> Lower || <span style="color: rgb(23, 211, 36)"> 20 || <span style="color: rgb(23, 211, 36)"> 1.6 || || <span style="color: rgb(23, 211, 36)"> Middle || <span style="color: rgb(23, 211, 36)"> 14 || <span style="color: rgb(23, 211, 36)"> 1.3 || || <span style="color: rgb(23, 211, 36)"> Upper || <span style="color: rgb(23, 211, 36)"> 10 || <span style="color: rgb(23, 211, 36)"> 0.9 || || <span style="color: rgb(23, 211, 36)"> || <span style="color: rgb(23, 211, 36)">** Height of Stems (Cm) ** || <span style="color: rgb(23, 211, 36)">** Diameter of Stems (Cm) ** || || <span style="color: rgb(23, 211, 36)"> Lower || <span style="color: rgb(23, 211, 36)"> 28 || <span style="color: rgb(23, 211, 36)"> 1.9 || || <span style="color: rgb(23, 211, 36)"> Middle || <span style="color: rgb(23, 211, 36)"> 21 || <span style="color: rgb(23, 211, 36)"> 1.2 || || <span style="color: rgb(23, 211, 36)"> Upper || <span style="color: rgb(23, 211, 36)"> 16 || <span style="color: rgb(23, 211, 36)"> 1.2 ||
 * Site 1**
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|| <span style="color: rgb(42, 239, 47)"> || <span style="color: rgb(42, 239, 47)">** Height of Stems (Cm) ** || <span style="color: rgb(42, 239, 47)">** Diameter of Stems (Cm) ** || || <span style="color: rgb(42, 239, 47)"> Lower || <span style="color: rgb(42, 239, 47)"> 15 || <span style="color: rgb(42, 239, 47)"> 1.3 || || <span style="color: rgb(42, 239, 47)"> Middle || <span style="color: rgb(42, 239, 47)"> 9 || <span style="color: rgb(42, 239, 47)"> 0.7 || || <span style="color: rgb(42, 239, 47)"> Upper || <span style="color: rgb(42, 239, 47)"> 7 || <span style="color: rgb(42, 239, 47)"> 0.4 || || <span style="color: rgb(42, 239, 47)"> || <span style="color: rgb(42, 239, 47)">** Height of Stems (Cm) ** || <span style="color: rgb(42, 239, 47)">** Diameter of Stems (Cm) ** || || <span style="color: rgb(42, 239, 47)"> Lower || <span style="color: rgb(42, 239, 47)"> 27 || <span style="color: rgb(42, 239, 47)"> 1.8 || || <span style="color: rgb(42, 239, 47)"> Middle || <span style="color: rgb(42, 239, 47)"> 22 || <span style="color: rgb(42, 239, 47)"> 1.6 || || <span style="color: rgb(42, 239, 47)"> Upper || <span style="color: rgb(42, 239, 47)"> 17 || <span style="color: rgb(42, 239, 47)"> 1.3 || || <span style="color: rgb(42, 239, 47)"> || <span style="color: rgb(42, 239, 47)">** Height of Stems (Cm) ** || <span style="color: rgb(42, 239, 47)">** Diameter of Stems (Cm) ** || || <span style="color: rgb(42, 239, 47)"> Lower || <span style="color: rgb(42, 239, 47)"> 37 || <span style="color: rgb(42, 239, 47)"> 2.6 || || <span style="color: rgb(42, 239, 47)"> Middle || <span style="color: rgb(42, 239, 47)"> 29 || <span style="color: rgb(42, 239, 47)"> 2.1 || || <span style="color: rgb(42, 239, 47)"> Upper || <span style="color: rgb(42, 239, 47)"> 23 || <span style="color: rgb(42, 239, 47)"> 1.8 ||
 * Site 2**
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 * <span style="color: rgb(42, 239, 47)">
 * <span style="color: rgb(42, 239, 47)"> First Visit
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 * Site 3**

|| <span style="color: rgb(44, 237, 59)"> || <span style="color: rgb(44, 237, 59)">** Height of Stems (Cm) ** || <span style="color: rgb(44, 237, 59)">** Diameter of Stems (Cm) ** || || <span style="color: rgb(44, 237, 59)"> Lower || <span style="color: rgb(44, 237, 59)"> 13 || <span style="color: rgb(44, 237, 59)"> 1.2 || || <span style="color: rgb(44, 237, 59)"> Middle || <span style="color: rgb(44, 237, 59)"> 8 || <span style="color: rgb(44, 237, 59)"> 0.8 || || <span style="color: rgb(44, 237, 59)"> Upper || <span style="color: rgb(44, 237, 59)"> 6 || <span style="color: rgb(44, 237, 59)"> 0.4 || || <span style="color: rgb(44, 237, 59)"> || <span style="color: rgb(44, 237, 59)">** Height of Stems (Cm) ** || <span style="color: rgb(44, 237, 59)">** Diameter of Stems (Cm) ** || || <span style="color: rgb(44, 237, 59)"> Lower || <span style="color: rgb(44, 237, 59)"> 23 || <span style="color: rgb(44, 237, 59)"> 1.4 || || <span style="color: rgb(44, 237, 59)"> Middle || <span style="color: rgb(44, 237, 59)"> 16 || <span style="color: rgb(44, 237, 59)"> 1.2 || || <span style="color: rgb(44, 237, 59)"> Upper || <span style="color: rgb(44, 237, 59)"> 14 || <span style="color: rgb(44, 237, 59)"> 1 || || <span style="color: rgb(44, 237, 59)"> || <span style="color: rgb(44, 237, 59)">** Height of Stems (Cm) ** || <span style="color: rgb(44, 237, 59)">** Diameter of Stems (Cm) ** || || <span style="color: rgb(44, 237, 59)"> Lower || <span style="color: rgb(44, 237, 59)"> 31 || <span style="color: rgb(44, 237, 59)"> 2.3 || || <span style="color: rgb(44, 237, 59)"> Middle || <span style="color: rgb(44, 237, 59)"> 24 || <span style="color: rgb(44, 237, 59)"> 1.9 || || <span style="color: rgb(44, 237, 59)"> Upper || <span style="color: rgb(44, 237, 59)"> 20 || <span style="color: rgb(44, 237, 59)"> 1.5 ||
 * <span style="color: rgb(44, 237, 59)">
 * <span style="color: rgb(44, 237, 59)">
 * <span style="color: rgb(44, 237, 59)"> First Visit
 * <span style="color: rgb(44, 237, 59)">
 * <span style="color: rgb(44, 237, 59)">
 * <span style="color: rgb(44, 237, 59)">
 * <span style="color: rgb(44, 237, 59)"> Second Visit
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 * <span style="color: rgb(44, 237, 59)"> Third Visit
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Ph + Light Levels || <span style="color: rgb(19, 236, 36)">Site 1 || <span style="color: rgb(19, 236, 36)">Site 2 || <span style="color: rgb(19, 236, 36)">Site 3 || || <span style="color: rgb(19, 236, 36)">4.3 || <span style="color: rgb(19, 236, 36)">5.7 || <span style="color: rgb(19, 236, 36)">4.2 || || <span style="color: rgb(19, 236, 36)">4.8 || <span style="color: rgb(19, 236, 36)">5.9 || <span style="color: rgb(19, 236, 36)">4.0 || || <span style="color: rgb(19, 236, 36)">4.6 || <span style="color: rgb(19, 236, 36)">5.4 || <span style="color: rgb(19, 236, 36)">4.5 || || <span style="color: rgb(19, 236, 36)">4.9 K || <span style="color: rgb(19, 236, 36)">7.4 K || <span style="color: rgb(19, 236, 36)">3.8 K || || <span style="color: rgb(19, 236, 36)">4.5 K || <span style="color: rgb(19, 236, 36)">7.8 K || <span style="color: rgb(19, 236, 36)">3.5 K || || <span style="color: rgb(19, 236, 36)">4.7 K || <span style="color: rgb(19, 236, 36)">7.5 K || <span style="color: rgb(19, 236, 36)">3. 65 K || <span style="font-size: 150%; color: rgb(50, 231, 50); text-align: center; display: block">**Discussion:** We chose our three sites due to the fact that the terrain was so different in each of them. We chose Site 1 because it was located in a semi moist area, a few feet away from a little stream. We noticed that Site 1 gets some sunlight (.4.9 K,4.5 K,4.7 K) and that the Ph levels of the soil (4.3, 4.8, 4.6) fostered a good environment for Japanese Knotweed growth. As you can tell from the data and the graphs, at this site, the Japanese Knotweed grew steadily throughout the spring at an average growth rate. We chose Site 2 because it was close to a source of water, had direct access to sunlight. The Ph levels were ( 5.7, 5.9, 5.4) and the light levels were (7.4 K, 7.8 K, 7.5K). As you can tell, this was the best spot for the Japanese Knotweed to grow in. It grew at a fast pace throughout the spring and this was the largest Japanese Knotweed that we measured. We chose Site 3 because it did not fit any of the criteria’s that Japanese Knotweed thrives in. It was 10 feet away from a water source and it did not get a lot of sunlight ( 3.8 K, 3.5 K, 3.65 K) and the Ph levels were a little low for Japanese Knotweed to grow in ( 4.2, 4.0, 4.5). Our experiment hypothesis was proven correct because the site with the most sunlight and the highest Ph level grew the best.
 * <span style="color: rgb(19, 236, 36)">
 * <span style="color: rgb(19, 236, 36)">** Ph visit 1 **
 * <span style="color: rgb(19, 236, 36)">** Ph visit 2 **
 * <span style="color: rgb(19, 236, 36)">** Ph visit 3 **
 * <span style="color: rgb(19, 236, 36)">** Light visit 1 **
 * <span style="color: rgb(19, 236, 36)">** Light visit 2 **
 * <span style="color: rgb(19, 236, 36)">** Light visit 3 **

<span style="font-size: 150%; color: rgb(44, 237, 67); text-align: center; display: block">**MAP**



It took us a long time to figure out what sites would be good to use for our experiment. We knew that people in the past years have done Japanese Knotweed. Even though they did not study the growth patterns of it, we still thought that their sites were good to use.

<span style="font-size: 150%; color: rgb(20, 240, 36); text-align: center; display: block"> - Incorrectly reading one of the measuring devises - Human interaction with the Japanese Knotweed, attempts to exterminate the plant in a certain area, trimming down the plant - Mathematical errors when converting - Time that we collect our data, after rainfall can effect the pH - Interactions with the species around the Japanese Knotweed, if an individual cuts down trees around it and the plant is exposed to more sun light
 * Pictures**:
 * Sources of Experimental Error**:

<span style="font-size: 150%; color: rgb(64, 237, 99); text-align: center; display: block">**Conclusions**:

After analyzing and studying the data that we collected on the growth, and it's affect on the Japanese Knotweed, our group came up with various conclusions. When looking at our data we determined that the growth of the knotweed in site 2 was the most productive, following site 1, then site 3. With information provided by the rangers and Internet sources, we determined that site 2 produced the most growth because site 2 had the most exposure to sunlight. Immense exposure to sunlight enables the plant to grow at a rapid and healthy pace, which is why the Japanese Knotweed in site 2 maintained the largest height and diameter of the knotweed’s stems. By the end of spring, the lower stem resulted in a height of 37 cm, the middle with 29 cm, and the upper stem with a total of 23 cm. When looking at site 1’s data, we concluded that since the site was exposed to very little sunlight and little moisture, resulted in the knotweed’s smaller measurements in height and diameter. The measurements of the knotweed’s stems in site 1 were as following: lower stem was a total of 28 cm, middle 21 cm, and the upper 16cm. While analyzing the data from site 3, our group realized that the knotweed gained the smallest measurements in comparison to the other sites due to lack of moisture and sunlight. Since site 3 was located farther into the forest than the rest of the sites, trees of great height blocked the knotweed from sun exposure. The measurements of site 3 which determined the least growth are as follows: lower stem with a total of 31 cm, middle stem with a total of 24 cm, and the upper stem with a total of 20 cm. As a result of collecting and analyzing the data, our group worked together to try and understand the growth of the Japanese Knotweed and how it’s affected. As a group, we have grown to learn that there are many different factors that lead to the development of the knotweed. We determined that the amount of sunlight exposed and the intensity reflected from the sun played a significant role in the growth of the Japanese Knotweed. In addition to sunlight exposure, we learned that in order for the knotweed to grow at a steady and constant rate, the soil that the plant is growing in must contain a large amount of moisture. Much evidence, along with our own data and data from previous years, show that knotweed located near water and opened sky result in the most significant growth.

<span style="font-size: 150%; color: rgb(54, 233, 53); text-align: center; display: block">**References**: [|http://www.peconicestuary.org/InvPolygonum.html)] [|http://www.invasive.org/eastern/biocontrol/12Knotweed.html] [|http://www.fs.fed.us/r10/spf/fhp/leaflets/japanese_knotweed.htm)] http://w3.d-e.org/inside_d-e/us/tech/tech11/watershed/07watershed/hillj/index.html http://w3.d-e.org/inside_d-e/us/tech/tech11/watershed/07watershed/hillj/index.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_knotweed http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/animalsandplants/noxious-weeds/weed-identification/invasive-knotweeds/japanese-knotweed.aspx http://landscaping.about.com/cs/weedsdiseases/a/knotweed_2.htm http://www.knottybits.com/Knotweed/FajaFieldPhotos.htm http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/aboutus/1105530/1086477/1090509/1090548/1091977/ http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/Forestry/invasivetutorial/japanese_knotweed_M_C.htm