Plant community dynamics following non‐native shrub removal depend on invasion intensity and forest site characteristics

Globally, temperate deciduous forests are threatened by invasion of non-native (exotic) plant species. In the eastern United States, Rosa multiflora is a dominant shrub invader in forests, which often forms dense thickets that reduce sunlight availability understory, where decreased native diversity and abundance observed. Management restoration difficult but desirable, especially when intensity still low. Few studies have examined relative success different management strategies under varying intensities. Our study objectives were to conduct R. removal experiment three forest sites experiencing intensities restore biodiversity while preventing secondary invasion. We utilized strategies: invasive removal, followed seed addition, plus mulched stem addition. investigated similarity between bank species composition existing vegetation before after assess potential for passive restoration. Two seasons we found simply removing roses increased richness, floristic quality assessment (FQAIN), our medium site, total richness low sites. Compared alone, with without mulch resulted larger FQAIN increases at all sites, exotic reductions Following improved results indicate alone scenario, may not provide large pool. Additional lead outcomes, most invaded forest, demonstrating need multiple treatments across site conditions improve recommendations.