Effects of invasive alien plants on riparian vegetation and their response to environmental factors

203 Pages·2017·7.5 MB·English

by  Zarah Pattison

Effects of invasive alien plants on riparian vegetation and their
response to environmental factors.

Zarah Pattison

September 2016

Submitted to Biological and Environmental Sciences
School of Natural Sciences
University of Stirling
Scotland

For the degree of Doctor of Philosophy

Supervisor:
Professor Nigel Willby

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Statement of Originality

I hereby confirm that this PhD thesis is an original piece of work conducted independently
by the undersigned and all work contained herein has not been submitted for any other
degree.

All research material has been duly acknowledged and cited.

Signature of candidate:

Zarah Pattison

Date:

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“…these plants are common, conspicuous, pestiferous, beautiful, edible,
and otherwise useful or harmful.”
Clive A. Stace and Michael Crawley, Alien Plants (2015).

Invasion front © Nigel Willby

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Acknowledgements

Firstly, I would like to thank Nigel Willby for continuously supporting me throughout my
PhD, especially when I needed it most. You have made this experience a memorable one
because you are an excellent supervisor and I cannot thank you enough. Also, thank you
for igniting my love of plant ID. It is safe to say I am hooked.

Alan Gange, you initially pushed me to do this and I am glad you did. Thank you for your
constant encouragement and confidence in me. Heather Rumble, Rob Tanner and Harriet
Milligan your support and interest in my PhD process has been much appreciated.

Thank you Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and Stirling University for funding this
project and to Phil Boon and Mario Vallejo-Marin for help securing funding, guidance
and support throughout. As well as Ronnie Balfour, Scott Jackson, James Weir and staff
at the University Gardens for providing essential technical assistance for which I am very
grateful.

I have been lucky enough to have been submersed in a departmental community and lab
group that has pushed me with encouragement and collaboration, so I want to thank
everyone who has been there for me in the last four years: Anwen Bill, Renee Hermans
and Anna Doeser-my Scotland family. I love you ladies and both admire and respect all
of you. Rachael Cooper-Bohannon and Gill Flint for constantly inspiring and supporting
me; and Guy Kerkvliet for encouraging my shot drinking habits during stressful times.
Robbie Whytock and Jeroen Minderman you have helped me so much when my brain
has statistically crashed and I thank you so much for your patience. Alan Law, Charlie
Perfect, Colin Bull and Alex Seeney thank you for your advice and motivation. David
Garcia, Sally Tapp and Catherine Daw thank you for making those 2m-high-stinging-
nettle-fieldwork day fun!

I have found the PhD process an extremely challenging one because of my own self-doubt
and background. However, I have been determined to finish what I thought would be
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impossible. To my parents, Wendy and Ray Lloyd, you have had so much faith in me and
I can’t thank you enough for all your support and love. Jack Lloyd, thank you for putting
up with a stressed out sister. Kelli Shackelton, Caroline Catline, Kim Matthee and Sally
Tapp thank you for always appreciating what I have been trying to achieve over the years.

A massive thank you to my partner in madness Lee Leckenby who has supported,
believed and encouraged me. You have survived the endless long hours and many
sacrifices I have made. Thank you so much for riding this out with me.

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I dedicate this thesis to my ma, Wendy Lloyd, who showed me that no matter what you go
through in life, you never give up.

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