Study
Resource ManagementHigh ImpactModerate effect

Invasive Acer negundo poses a moderate ecological threat in urban riparian zones.

While Acer negundo is widespread in Riga and Kaunas, its current ecological and economic impact is moderate, though its rapid spread into new riparian areas indicates a potential for future invasiveness.

Dendrobiology · 2015

01

Key Findings

  • 01Acer negundo has a very high invasive degree (0.788).
  • 02Its present compared to potential distribution rating is medium-high (0.71).
  • 03The social, environmental, and economic impact score is low (0.23).
  • 04The final pest plant score for Acer negundo is medium (0.4506).
  • 05Acer negundo is capable of spreading rapidly into new riparian areas.
02

Application

Design takeaway

When designing urban green spaces, especially near water bodies, research and select native or non-invasive plant species to prevent future ecological imbalances and management costs associated with invasive species.

How to apply

Before selecting plant species for a design project, especially in sensitive ecological areas like riparian zones, conduct a thorough review of their invasive potential in the local context.

Project actions

  • 01When choosing plants for your design, research if they are known to be invasive in the area.
  • 02Consider the long-term impact of your plant choices on the local ecosystem.
03

Method & Evidence

AimTo assess the extent and effects of Acer negundo invasiveness in the urban riparian zones of Riga and Kaunas.
MethodQuantitative assessment using a prioritization process based on the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP).
ProcedureThe study estimated the degree of invasion by Acer negundo by evaluating its current distribution relative to potential distribution, and assessing its social, environmental, and economic impact. These factors were then combined to calculate a final pest plant score.
ContextUrban riparian ecosystems in Riga, Latvia, and Kaunas, Lithuania.

Variables

IVSpecies (Acer negundo vs. native species)
DVInvasiveness score, spread rate, social/environmental/economic impact
CVUrban riparian zone location (Riga, Kaunas)
04

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

  • +Uses a structured AHP method for prioritization.
  • +Provides quantitative data on invasiveness and impact.

Limitations

The study's findings are specific to the cities of Riga and Kaunas and may not apply universally. The assessment of 'impact' can be subjective.

Reliability & validity

The use of the AHP method provides a structured approach, but the subjective nature of impact assessment could affect validity. Reliability would depend on consistent application of the scoring criteria.

Think critically

Given that Acer negundo has a low current impact score despite its high invasiveness and rapid spread, at what point does its impact become significant enough to warrant intervention, and how can design proactively mitigate this future risk?

05

Design Principles

"Prioritize native or non-invasive species in landscape design to ensure ecological stability and reduce long-term management burdens."

Understanding the current and potential impact of invasive species is crucial for urban planning and ecological management. This research highlights the need for proactive strategies to mitigate the spread of non-native plants that can disrupt local ecosystems and potentially impact infrastructure or resource availability.

06

What This Means for Your Design

This study found that a type of maple tree called Acer negundo is very good at spreading into new areas, especially near rivers, in cities like Riga and Kaunas. While it's spreading fast, it's not causing huge problems for people, the environment, or the economy right now, but it could in the future.

How to use in your project

  • 1.Use this research to justify the selection of native or non-invasive plant species in your design project, explaining the potential risks of invasive species.
07

Add to My Project

08

Quick Cite

(2015). The spread, intensity and invasivenessof the Acer negundo in Riga and Kaunas. Dendrobiology. https://doi.org/10.12657/denbio.074.016 Retrieved from https://designdex.org/study/5c506b3c-d1d0-4a92-9a19-b47387e6929e/invasive-acer-negundo-poses-a-moderate-ecological-threat-in-urban-riparian-zones

Paragraph starter

Research indicates that invasive species, such as Acer negundo, can spread rapidly into new environments, posing a potential ecological threat. For instance, a study in Riga and Kaunas found Acer negundo to be highly invasive with a medium overall pest plant score, highlighting the importance of selecting non-invasive species in design projects to maintain ecological balance and prevent future management challenges.

09

Source

Dendrobiology

The spread, intensity and invasivenessof the Acer negundo in Riga and Kaunas

journal · 2015

View source

Questions about this research

What does the research say about invasive acer negundo poses a moderate ecological threat in urban riparian zones?
When designing urban green spaces, especially near water bodies, research and select native or non-invasive plant species to prevent future ecological imbalances and management costs associated with invasive species. Evidence: Dendrobiology (2015).
Why does "Invasive Acer negundo poses a moderate ecological threat in urban riparian zones." matter for design?
Understanding the current and potential impact of invasive species is crucial for urban planning and ecological management. This research highlights the need for proactive strategies to mitigate the spread of non-native plants that can disrupt local ecosystems and potentially impact infrastructure or resource availability.
How can designers apply this research?
When designing urban green spaces, especially near water bodies, research and select native or non-invasive plant species to prevent future ecological imbalances and management costs associated with invasive species.
What were the main findings?
Acer negundo has a very high invasive degree (0.788).. Its present compared to potential distribution rating is medium-high (0.71).. The social, environmental, and economic impact score is low (0.23).. The final pest plant score for Acer negundo is medium (0.4506).
What research method was used?
Quantitative assessment using a prioritization process based on the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP)..
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2015 journal from Dendrobiology.
What should I do differently in my next project?
Before selecting plant species for a design project, especially in sensitive ecological areas like riparian zones, conduct a thorough review of their invasive potential in the local context.
What are the limitations?
The study focused on specific urban areas and may not represent the invasiveness of Acer negundo in other environments. The 'low' impact score might be subjective and could increase over time.
Is there evidence that acer negundo affects design outcomes?
Acer negundo is highly invasive and spreads quickly into new riverbank areas, but its current overall negative impact on society, the environment, and the economy is only moderate. Understanding the current and potential impact of invasive species is crucial for urban planning and ecological management. This research h Source: Dendrobiology (2015).
Where does this invasive species research apply?
Urban riparian ecosystems in Riga, Latvia, and Kaunas, Lithuania. It sits within resource management research on designdex.org.

Related research topics

acer negundo design research · evidence on acer negundo · does acer negundo improve design outcomes · invasive species studies for designers · acer negundo and invasive species findings · resource management research evidence