scholarly journals Native seed addition as an effective tool for post-invasion restoration

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Bucharova ◽  
František Krahulec
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Plants ◽  
Seed Bank ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Invasive Plant ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Native Grasses ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Native Seed ◽  
Rumex Alpinus

AbstractInvasive plant species reduce biodiversity, alter ecosystem processes, and cause economic losses. Control of invasive plants is therefore highly desired by land managers and policy makers. However, invasive plant control strategies frequently fail, partly because management often concentrates only on the eradication of invasive plants and not on revegetation with native species that use the available resources and prevent reinvasion. In this study, we focused on the intracontinental invader Rumex alpinus L., which was introduced by humans from the Alps to the lower mountains of Central Europe, where it has spread to semi-natural meadows, suppresses local biodiversity, and reduces the quality of hay used as cattle fodder. The species can be effectively removed using herbicide, but this leaves behind a persistent seed bank. Without further treatment, the invader rapidly regenerates and reinvades the area. We supplemented the herbicide treatment by adding the seeds of native grasses. Addition of native-seed effectively suppressed the regeneration of the invader from the seed bank, reduced its biomass, and consequently, prevented massive reinvasion. While the invader removal was successful, the restored community remained species-poor because the dense sward of native grasses blocked the regeneration of native forbs from the seed bank. Nevertheless, the addition of native seed proved to be an effective tool in preventing reinvasion after the eradication of the invasive plant.

Developing minimal-input techniques for invasive plant management: perimeter treatments enlarge native grass patches

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 108-113
Author(s):  
Scott R. Abella ◽  
Lindsay P. Chiquoine ◽  
Jeremy M. Moss ◽  
Eric D. Lassance ◽  
Charles D. Schelz
Keyword(s):  
Native Species ◽  
Invasive Plant ◽  
Native Plants ◽  
Perennial Grass ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Plant Management ◽  
Native Grasses ◽  
Native Grass ◽  
Invasive Plant Management ◽  
Wide Ring

AbstractThere is a continual need for invasive plant science to develop approaches for cost-effectively benefiting native over nonnative species in dynamic management and biophysical contexts, including within predominantly nonnative plant landscapes containing only small patches of native plants. Our objective was to test the effectiveness of a minimal-input strategy for enlarging native species patches within a nonnative plant matrix. In Pecos National Historical Park, New Mexico, USA, we identified 40 native perennial grass patches within a matrix of the nonnative annual forb kochia [Bassia scoparia (L.) A.J. Scott]. We mechanically cut B. scoparia in a 2-m-wide ring surrounding the perimeters of half the native grass patches (with the other half as uncut controls) and measured change in native grass patch size (relative to pretreatment) for 3 yr. Native grass patches around which B. scoparia was cut grew quickly the first posttreatment year and by the third year had increased in size four times more than control patches. Treated native grass patches expanded by an average of 25 m2, from 4 m2 in October 2015 before treatment to 29 m2 in October 2018. The experiment occurred during a dry period, conditions that should favor B. scoparia and contraction of the native grasses, suggesting that the observed increase in native grasses occurred despite suboptimal climatic conditions. Strategically treating around native patches to enlarge them over time showed promise as a minimal-input technique for increasing the proportion of the landscape dominated by native plants.

scholarly journals Establishment of native and exotic grasses on mine overburden and topsoil in the Hunter Valley, New South Wales

2005 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 73 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. H. A. Huxtable ◽  
T. B. Koen ◽  
D. Waterhouse
Keyword(s):  
Seed Bank ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Soil Seed Bank ◽  
Coal Mines ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Native Grasses ◽  
Exotic Grasses ◽  
Mine Rehabilitation

Native grasses have an important role to play in mine rehabilitation throughout Australia, but there have been few scientifically designed studies of field establishment of native grasses from sown seed in this country. Current recommendations for rehabilitation of open-cut coal mines in the Hunter Valley involve the sowing of exotic pasture species to reinstate mined land to Class IV and V under the Rural Land Capability System. Despite the importance of native grasses in the pre-mined landscape, they are currently not widely included in mine rehabilitation. To address this issue a project was conducted between 1994 and 2000 to research the use of native grasses for rehabilitation of open-cut coal mines in the Hunter Valley. This paper reports on 2 mine site experiments that aimed to assess establishment and persistence of a broad range of native and exotic grass species from an autumn sowing in both topsoil and raw spoil over a period of 61 months. The most promising natives in terms of early establishment, persistence and spread over time, included six C3 accessions (five Austrodanthonia spp. and Austrostipa bigeniculata) and one C4 accession (Cynodon dactylon). Persistence of these accessions was better in raw spoil than topsoil, despite initial low numbers, due to a lack of weed competition and their ability to spread by self-seeding. In topsoil, and in the absence of any biomass reduction, native species were mostly out-competed by vigorous exotic perennial grasses which were sown in these experiments and from seed influx from adjacent rehabilitation areas or from the soil seed bank. The effects of climatic conditions and differences in soil physical, chemical and seed bank characteristics at the 2 mine sites are also discussed.

scholarly journals Allelopathy is pervasive in invasive plants

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Kalisz ◽  
Stephanie N. Kivlin ◽  
Lalasia Bialic-Murphy
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Invasive Plants ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Invasive Plant ◽  
Native Plants ◽  
Plant Performance ◽  
Native Plant ◽  
Plant Phylogeny ◽  
Plant Families ◽  
Allelopathic Compounds

Abstract Invasive species utilize a wide array of trait strategies to establish in novel ecosystems. Among these traits is the capacity to produce allelopathic compounds that can directly inhibit neighboring native plants or indirectly suppress native plants via disruption of beneficial belowground microbial mutualisms, or altered soil resources. Despite the well-known prevalence of allelopathy among plant taxa, the pervasiveness of allelopathy among invasive plants is unknown. Here we demonstrate that the majority of the 524 invasive plant species in our database produce allelochemicals with the potential to negatively affect native plant performance. Moreover, allelopathy is widespread across the plant phylogeny, suggesting that allelopathy could have a large impact on native species across the globe. Allelopathic impacts of invasive species are often thought to be present in only a few plant clades (e.g., Brassicaceae). Yet our analysis shows that allelopathy is present in 72% of the 113 plant families surveyed, suggesting that this ubiquitous mechanism of invasion deserves more attention as invasion rates increase across the globe.

Effects of invasive plant patch size and distance on the pollination and reproduction of native boreal plants

Botany ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 94 (12) ◽  
pp. 1151-1160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katie V. Spellman ◽  
Christa P.H. Mulder ◽  
Matthew L. Carlson
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Seed Production ◽  
Invasive Plants ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Patch Size ◽  
Invasive Plant ◽  
Native Plants ◽  
Invasion Process ◽  
Melilotus Albus ◽  
Boreal Plants

In pollinator-limited ecosystems in the earliest stages of the invasion process, the effects of invasive plants on the pollination and reproduction of co-flowering native plants may be particularly sensitive to the distance between native and non-native plants. Our study tests how the distance from invasive plant patches affects the pollination and reproduction of two native boreal shrubs. We established circular sites with plots of flowering Vaccinium vitis-idaea L. and Rhododendron groenlandicum (Oeder) Kron and Judd spanning from 1 to 40 m from the site center. In 2011 and 2012, we added flowering non-native Melilotus albus Medik. to the center of sites in small patches (40 individuals) or large patches (120 individuals) and left other sites as controls. In some cases, the effects of M. albus were uniform across the 40 m distance, such as the change in V. vitis-idaea seed production when large patches of M. albus were added. In other cases, relationships with distance were found, and changes in percent pollination or seed production occurred most rapidly over the first 10 m from the patch. Our data supports the hypothesis that the detectable impact an invasive species has on the pollination of native species is affected by the spatial scale over which it is evaluated.

Invasion Prediction on Alaska Trails: Distribution, Habitat, and Trail Use

2011 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 296-305 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth M. Bella
Keyword(s):  
Native Species ◽  
Invasive Plant ◽  
Habitat Degradation ◽  
Vegetation Type ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Vascular Plant ◽  
Canopy Cover ◽  
Nonnative Species ◽  
Trail Use ◽  
Cover Class

AbstractLittle is known about the relationship between frequency of occurrence and the expected maximum distance a nonnative species might spread along a trail once introduced to an ecological system with high native species integrity. Understanding how colonization and invasive plant habitat degradation occur in largely intact ecosystems is challenging. Determining which nonnative species are most likely to spread might be possible, given a suite of environmental or trail conditions. Spread may be linked to a particular set of environmental conditions, or to type and level of trail use. A field study conducted on trails in Forest Service and State Park lands on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, was designed to determine frequency and spread distance of all nonnative vascular plant species per 100-m segments keyed to vegetation type, canopy cover class, aspect, trail use level, and trail use type. Although the maximum total number of nonnative species decreased with increased distances from trailheads, the average number of species remained nearly constant. Common dandelion, broadleaf plantain, and annual bluegrass exhibited consistent presence per canopy cover class or vegetation type. A nested subset analysis revealed a significant reduction in nonnative species presence beyond a 500-m distance from a trailhead and a moderately strong nestedness pattern. High-use trails exhibited the greatest numbers of nonnative species at the farthest distances from the trailhead and contained a greater number of less common nonnative species. Alaska and other northern biomes have relatively few widespread invasive problems, offering an opportunity to limit ecosystem degradation by invasion. Results suggest that control strategies might focus on high-use trails with open-canopy habitats to prevent spread.

scholarly journals Mexican Coastal Dunes: Recipients and Donors of Alien Flora

Diversity ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 530
Author(s):  
M. Luisa Martínez ◽  
Gonzalo Castillo-Campos ◽  
José G. García-Franco ◽  
Octavio Pérez-Maqueo ◽  
Gabriela Mendoza-González ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Invasive Plants ◽  
Invasive Plant ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Coastal Dunes ◽  
Exotic Plants ◽  
Coastal Dune ◽  
Alien Flora ◽  
And Control ◽  
Natural Communities

The invasion of natural communities by exotic plants, which may turn into invasive or potentially invasive, is one of the most severe known threats to biodiversity, and coastal dunes are among the most affected habitats. Mexico’s coastal dunes are abundant and contain high plant biodiversity but attempts to determine the occurrence and impact of exotic plants are absent. First, we explored the number of invasive plant species found on Mexican coastal dunes. Second, we analyzed if the coastal dune flora native from Mexico acts as a source of invasive species worldwide. We found the relevant spread of exotic plants towards and from Mexico, reaching high percentages: 5% of the coastal dune flora are considered exotic plants; this increases to 8.7% when only plants typical of the coastal dune environment are considered. The Mexican coastal dunes flora is also a relevant source of invasive plants affecting all continents. Furthermore, almost half of the 35 worst worldwide invasive plants (according to the Global Invasive Species Database GISD) grow on Mexican coastal dunes, most native to Mexico and invasive elsewhere. Indeed, the worldwide exchange of coastal dune flora between Mexico and the world seems massive, relevant and highlights the need for worldwide and countrywide management and control strategies.

scholarly journals Closed-Canopy Tropical Forests of Hainan, (China) Are Resilient against Invasive Herbs and Shrubs

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 1596
Author(s):  
Xiaobo Yang ◽  
Long Li ◽  
Xiaobo Lv ◽  
Wenqi Luo ◽  
Donghai Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tropical Forests ◽  
Invasive Plants ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Invasive Plant ◽  
Soil Seed Bank ◽  
Light Availability ◽  
Successional Stage ◽  
Sharp Drop ◽  
Closed Canopy ◽  
Successional Stages

The successful establishment of many plants in tropical forests often depends on species-specific adaptations related to light availability and forest successional stage. Species that are present in early successional stages generally do not occur in later successional stages. In this study, we documented the diversity, distribution, and abundance of terrestrial invasive plants across the (sub)tropical island of Hainan, China, and tested the germination of specific invasive plants in forested environments. In 97 transects positioned randomly across the island, we found nine invasive herb and shrub species were present in all human-modified habitats but not in intact forest interiors. In separate forest-specific transects, we documented a sharp drop in the abundance of invasive plants >5 m into the forest. High numbers of invasive plant seeds germinated from the soil seed bank sampled at the forest edge, but very few seeds germinated from soil sampled any distance into the forest. Finally, in experiments with four focal invasive plant species, overall germination rates were low; and much lower in shaded sites compared to full gap sites. In conclusion, our findings demonstrated that invasive herbs and shrubs do not yet form a serious threat to native species in the closed-canopy forests of Hainan.

scholarly journals Invasive Plants with Native Lookalikes: How Mistaken Identities Can Lead to More Significant Plant Invasions and Delay Management

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
S. Christopher Marble ◽  
Stephen H. Brown
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Plants ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Invasive Plant ◽  
Population Expansion ◽  
Plant Invasions ◽  
Plant Management ◽  
Delayed Response ◽  
Native Plant ◽  
Success Rates ◽  
Invasive Plant Management

Plant invasions pose a serious threat to biodiversity, agricultural production, and land value throughout the world. Due to Florida’s unique climate, population expansion, expansive coastline, and number of seaports, the state is especially vulnerable to non-native plant naturalization and spread. Invasive plant management programs were shown to have higher success rates with fewer resources when invasives were managed soon after non-native plants were observed. However, some newly emerging invasive plants may go undetected due to their resemblance with native species or other invasive plants. The objective of this review is to highlight a few key invasive plants in Florida that have native lookalikes. While morphological differences are discussed, the primary goal is to discuss management implications of misidentification and delayed response times, as well as the need for plant identification guides that include information on how to distinguish problematic invasive plants from similar native species.

Light affects the germination and normal seedling development of Neotropical savanna grasses

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Claudiana M. Pereira ◽  
Rebeca N.A. Figueirôa ◽  
Hudson G.V. Fontenele ◽  
Heloisa S. Miranda
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Seed Bank ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Seedling Recruitment ◽  
Soil Seed Bank ◽  
Light Availability ◽  
Native Grasses ◽  
Neotropical Savanna ◽  
Invasive Grasses ◽  
Biomass Component

Abstract The Cerrado is a Neotropical savanna where grasses are a major biomass component in the open vegetation physiognomies. Invasive grasses are widely used as pastures in the Cerrado, and their presence may displace native species. The persistence of native grasses relies also on reproduction via seeds, which is often dependent on seeds found buried in the soil seed bank. The literature about the effects of light availability on the germination of Neotropical savanna grasses is scarce, and germination may lead to abnormal seedlings that develop only the root or the shoot. Germination trials that overlook this fact may overestimate the potential for seedling recruitment. Therefore, we tested the effects of light availability on the germination of nine native and two invasive grasses, addressing the production of normal seedlings. Seeds were germinated in the complete absence or the presence of light (12 h photoperiod under white light) for 30 days. Germination was defined as the sum of normal and abnormal seedlings. Eight species were light-dependent, decreasing the production of normal seedlings in the dark. Two native and one invasive species were non-responsive to the dark treatment, showing no change in germination or production of normal seedlings. Our results suggest that seeds buried in the soil seed bank are likely to show reduced germination and develop abnormal seedlings, reinforcing a bottleneck for the recruitment of native grasses. For invasive species, however, the potential of seedling recruitment was minimally reduced by light, suggesting a competitive advantage for the recruitment of these species.

Relationships between seed bank composition and an invasive plant in a floodplain wetland of the Murray–Darling Basin

2019 ◽  
Vol 67 (7) ◽  
pp. 546
Author(s):  
L. M. Vivian ◽  
R. C. Godfree
Keyword(s):  
Seed Bank ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Invasive Plant ◽  
River Regulation ◽  
Floodplain Wetland ◽  
Ramsar Convention ◽  
Flood Depth ◽  
Murray Darling Basin ◽  
Native Species Richness ◽  
Growth And Reproduction

Seed banks are an important characteristic of wetland plant assemblages, enabling the storage of dormant propagules through wet and dry periods until the next favourable period for growth and reproduction. In this study, we use a seed bank emergence experiment to investigate whether the seed bank of a grassy floodplain wetland located in Australia’s Murray–Darling Basin has been impacted by the invasion of Juncus ingens N.A. Wakef. River regulation and altered flood regimes have encouraged the spread of this species throughout grassy wetland areas, particularly at Barmah Forest, a Ramsar Convention-listed wetland of international significance in Victoria. We particularly focus on changes in the seed bank of an ecologically important, but declining, floodplain grass, Pseudoraphis spinescens (R.Br.) Vickery, and implications for restoration. We found that sites invaded by J. ingens had a higher density of emerged J. ingens plants, a lower density of P. spinescens and a lower overall native species richness. J. ingens-dominated sites were also characterised by a significantly deeper maximum flood depth than P. spinescens-dominated sites. The overall density of P. spinescens plants emerging from the soil was very low in comparison to most other species, and largely restricted to shallow sites where the species was already present. This suggests that restoration efforts may need to focus on encouraging vegetative regrowth from existing grassy swards, rather than expecting recovery from a viable seed bank, and highlights the importance of conserving the remaining P. spinescens patches at Barmah Forest.

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