back to Panorama content

Norway maple (Acer platanoides) invasion

The panorama below shows uninvaded riparian vegetation along the Rattlesnake Creek in Missoula, Montana.  The overstory is dominated by black cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa) and ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa).  Rocky Mountain maple (Acer glabrum) is shrubby maple species common in the midstory.  The understory is dominated by snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus ), a small shrubby species.

This is an interactive panorama represented as a QuickTime VR movie. Click and drag the mouse to pan and tilt the view. Depress the shift and control keys to zoom in or zoom out.

Below is a neighboring area that is heavily invaded by Norway maple. This non-native species from Europe increases canopy cover and reduces light reaching the understory. Invaded areas can have dramatic reductions in resident plant species. Research suggests that shading is the principle mechanism that this species uses to negatively affect resident native species in this system while facilitating its invasion.  Norway maple is also invading forests in the northeastern, U.S. Invasive plants often succeed by creating an environment too extreme for residents while being uniquely adapted to thrive in the new environment.

This is also an interactive panorama represented as a QuickTime VR movie. Click and drag the mouse to pan and tilt the view. Depress the shift and control keys to zoom in or zoom out.