Global Garlic Mustard Field Survey 2012

1. Introduction

It is widely believed that invasive species are larger, reproduce more and reach higher densities compared to their native ancestors. However, there are surprisingly few hard data to support this claim, even for some of the most well-known invaders. One of the most problematic invaders in North America is garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata). Does garlic mustard really grow larger and reproduce better in North American populations than in native European populations? Or is this species just as ‘invasive’ in its native range? How much variation in performance is there among populations within Europe and North America? How does climate affect growth and reproduction? Answers to questions like these will ultimately lead to better understanding and management of invasive species.

For more information, contact us at GarlicMustard@gmail.com, or visit our website where you can also find a PDF version of these instructions: http://www.GarlicMustard.org/

Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata) with flowers and seed pods

Thank you for participating in the Global Garlic Mustard Field Survey! Contributions like yours may lead to exciting new insights into invasive species. In the following pages you will be asked to enter your data. PLEASE NOTE BEFORE PROCEEDING:

1) Data integrity is CRUCIAL to the development of scientific knowledge. The success of this project depends upon your ability to carefully measure and record scientific data. As you enter your data in this form, please take the time to carefully check all fields to ensure that the data is entered correctly. You have already spent several hours collecting the data, it would be a shame to have it removed from the study because of a typo!

2) The information we collect includes your name and email address or phone number. PLEASE NOTE that this information is only to help validate the quality of your data and as a result you may be contacted by one of the scientists involved in this project. However, your contact information will be treated as CONFIDENTIAL, and NEVER shared with a third party.

3) Some fields may be hidden, depending on the size and resolution of your screen and web browser. If so, scroll the screen to the right to access those fields.

Have your COMPLETED DATA SHEET ready to enter data. The data sheet and survey instructions are available at the website:

http://www.garlicmustard.org/instructions.html

Additional information about the project, including how to identify garlic mustard, can also be found on our website:

http://www.garlicmustard.org

Note that you will be asked to mail the hard copy of your data sheet along with seed samples before the electronic information can be incorporated into our study.