MODELING THE IMPACT OF SPATIAL STRUCTURE ON GROWTH DYNAMICS OF INVASIVE PLANT SPECIES

2013 ◽  
Vol 24 (07) ◽  
pp. 1350042 ◽  
Author(s):  
JAMES T. MURPHY ◽  
MARK P. JOHNSON ◽  
RAY WALSHE
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Pattern ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Invasive Plant ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Growth Dynamics ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Patterns ◽  
Model Framework ◽  
Invasion Dynamics ◽  
The Impact

Invasive nonindigenous plant species can have potentially serious detrimental effects on local ecosystems and, as a result, costly control efforts often have to be put in place to protect habitats. An example of an invasive problem on a global scale involves the salt marsh grass species from the genus Spartina. The spread of Spartina anglica in Europe and Asia has drawn much concern due to its ability to convert coastal habitats into cord-grass monocultures and to alter the native food webs. However, the patterns of invasion of Spartina species are amenable to spatially-explicit modeling strategies that take into account both temporal and spatio-temporal processes. In this study, an agent-based model of Spartina growth on a simulated mud flat environment was developed in order to study the effects of spatial pattern and initial seedling placement on the invasion dynamics of the population. The spatial pattern of an invasion plays a key role in the rate of spread of the species and understanding this can lead to significant cost savings when designing efficient control strategies. We present here a model framework that can be used to explicitly represent complex spatial and temporal patterns of invasion in order to be able to predict quantitatively the impact of these factors on invasion dynamics. This would be a useful tool for assessing eradication strategies and choosing optimal control solutions in order to be able to minimize future control costs.

scholarly journals Ecological Impacts of Megaprojects: Species Succession and Functional Composition

Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 2411
Author(s):  
Hamada E. Ali ◽  
Solveig Franziska Bucher
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Invasive Plant ◽  
Species Traits ◽  
Natural Vegetation ◽  
Ecological Impacts ◽  
Imperata Cylindrica ◽  
Dry Matter Content ◽  
Large Scale Disturbance ◽  
The Impact

Land-use changes have huge impacts on natural vegetation, especially megaprojects, as the vegetation layer is destroyed in the course of construction works affecting the plant community composition and functionality. This large-scale disturbance might be a gateway for the establishment of invasive plant species, which can outcompete the natural flora. In contrast, species occurring in the area before the construction are not able to re-establish. In this study, we analyzed the impact of a pipeline construction on a wetland nature reserve located in northern Egypt. Therefore, we analyzed the plant species occurrence and abundance and measured each plant species’ traits before the construction in 2017 as well as on multiple occasions up to 2 years after the construction had finished on altogether five sampling events. We found that the construction activity led to the establishment of an invasive species which previously did not occur in the area, namely, Imperata cylindrica, whereas five species (Ipomoea carnea, Pluchea dioscoridis, Polygonum equisetiforme, Tamarix nilotica, and Typha domingensis) could not re-establish after the disturbance. The functionality of ecosystems assessed via the analysis of plant functional traits (plant height, specific leaf area, and leaf dry matter content) changed within species over all sampling events and within the community showing a tendency to approximate pre-construction values. Functional dispersion and Rao’s quadratic diversity were higher after the megaproject than before. These findings are important to capture possible re-establishment and recovery of natural vegetation after construction and raise awareness to the impact of megaprojects, especially in areas which are high priority for conservation.

Restoration of pollination interactions in communities invaded by non-native plants.

2020 ◽  
pp. 377-390
Author(s):  
Christopher N. Kaiser-Bunbury ◽  
◽  
Benno I. Simmons ◽  
◽  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Restoration Ecology ◽  
Invasive Plant ◽  
Ecosystem Processes ◽  
Community Level ◽  
Ecological Communities ◽  
Management Interventions ◽  
And Function ◽  
Network Metrics ◽  
The Impact

Invasive plant species degrade and homogenize ecosystems worldwide, thereby altering ecosystem processes and function. To mitigate and reverse the impact of invasive plants on pollination, a key ecosystem function, conservation scientists and practitioners restore ecological communities and study the impact of such management interventions on plant-pollinator communities. Here, we describe opportunities and challenges associated with restoring pollination interactions as part of a holistic ecosystem-based restoration approach. We introduce a few general concepts in restoration ecology, and outline best planning and evaluation practices of restoring pollination interactions on the community level. Planning involves the selection of suitable plant species to support diverse pollinator communities, which includes considerations of the benefits and disadvantages of using native vs exotic, and bridge and framework plant species for restoration. We emphasize the central role of scientific- and community-level approaches for the planning phase of pollination restoration. For evaluation purposes, we argue that appropriate network indicators have the advantage of detecting changes in species behaviour with consequences for ecosystem processes and functions before these changes show up in altered species communities. Suitable network metrics may include interaction diversity and evenness, and network measures that describe the distribution of species, such as network and species-level specialization, modularity and motifs. Finally, we discuss the usefulness of the network approach in evaluating the benefits of restoration interventions for pollination interactions, and propose that applied network ecologists take a central role in transferring theory into practice.

scholarly journals The impact of an invasive ambrosia beetle on the riparian habitats of the Tijuana River Valley, California

PeerJ ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. e2141 ◽  
Author(s):  
John M. Boland
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Forest Canopy ◽  
Invasive Plant ◽  
Natural Habitat ◽  
River Valley ◽  
Ambrosia Beetle ◽  
Management Actions ◽  
Resource Managers ◽  
Riparian Habitats ◽  
The Impact

The Tijuana River Valley is the first natural habitat in California to be substantially invaded by the Kuroshio Shot Hole Borer (KSHB,Euwallaceasp.), an ambrosia beetle native to Southeast Asia. This paper documents the distribution of the KSHB in the riparian vegetation in the valley and assesses the damage done to the vegetation as of early 2016, approximately six months after the beetle was first observed in the valley. I divided the riparian habitats into 29 survey units so that the vegetation within each unit was relatively homogenous in terms of plant species composition, age and density. From a random point within each unit, I examined approximately 60 individuals of the dominant plant species for evidence of KSHB infestation and evidence of major damage such as limb breakage. In the 22 forested units,I examined the dominant arroyo and black willows (Salix lasiolepisBenth. andS. gooddingiiC.R. Ball), and in the seven scrub units, I examined mule fat (Baccharis salicifolia(Ruiz & Pav.) Pers.). Evidence of KSHB infestation was found in 25 of the 29 units. In the forest units, infestation rates ranged from 0 to 100% and were high (>60%) in 16 of the units. In the scrub units, infestation rates ranged from 0 to 33%. Infestation rates were significantly correlated with the wetness of a unit; wetter units had higher infestation rates. Evidence of major physical damage was found in 24 units, and dense stands of willows were reduced to broken trunks in several areas. Overall, I estimated that more than 280,000 (70%) of the willows in the valley were infested, and more than 140,000 had suffered major limb damage. In addition, I recorded evidence of KSHB infestation in the other common plant species in the valley; of the 23 species examined, 14 showed evidence of beetle attack. The four species with the highest rates of infestation were native trees in the Salicaceae family. The three species considered to be the worst invasive plants in the valley,Ricinus communisL., Tamarix ramosissimaLedeb. andArundo donaxL., had low rates of infestation. Several findings from this study have significance for resource managers: (1) the KSHB attack caused extensive mortality of trees soon after being first discovered so, if managers are to control the spread of the beetle, they will need to develop an effective early detection and rapid response program; (2) infestation rates were highest in units that were wet, so resource managers trying to detect the beetle in other areas should thoroughly search trees near water, particularly nutrient-enriched water; (3) the infestation appears to be a novel form of disturbance, and the affected forests may need special management actions in order to recover; and (4) the infestation has altered the structure of the forest canopy, and this is likely to promote the growth of invasive plant species that were relatively inconspicuous in the forests prior to the beetle attack but will now need more attention.

scholarly journals The Rationale for Monitoring Invasive Plant Populations as a Crucial Step for Management

2009 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce D. Maxwell ◽  
Erik Lehnhoff ◽  
Lisa J. Rew
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Weed Management ◽  
Management Strategy ◽  
Invasive Plant ◽  
Fixed Number ◽  
Management Program ◽  
Management Control ◽  
Invasion Potential ◽  
Invasion Stage ◽  
The Impact

AbstractMany land managers are faced with trying to optimize management of invasive plant species based on budget constraints and lack of knowledge of the true potential of the species. Generally, “early detection rapid response” (EDRR) is the assumed best management strategy and tends to drive management regardless of the invasion stage or possible variation in the invasion potential of the population. We created a simulation model to evaluate the optimal management strategy to reduce the rate of invasion of nonindigenous plant species. The strategies were specifically chosen to assess the value of information from monitoring populations. We compared four management strategies and a no-management control over a 20-yr period in the context of a management area: (1) managing a fixed number of populations at random each year (EDRR random), (2) managing an equivalent number of populations along a road each year (EDRR road), (3) managing half of the fixed populations that were determined by monitoring to be sources of new populations (monitoring every year), and (4) managing an equivalent set of source populations only on even years, leaving the odd years for monitoring (monitoring every other year). EDRR random location without regard to population invasion potential, and monitoring every year targeting management on populations determined to be invasive (sources for new populations), were the most successful strategies for reducing the increase in total number of populations. The model simulations suggest that managers could dedicate 50% of their management time to monitoring without risk of accelerating invasions or reducing the impact of their weed management program.

scholarly journals Geographic Distribution Shift of Invasive Plant Austroeupatorium inulifolium in the Future Climate Projection

2021 ◽  
pp. 38-47
Author(s):  
Angga Yudaputra ◽  
Izu Andry Fijridiyanto ◽  
Inggit Puji Astuti ◽  
Rizmoon Nurul Zulkarnaen ◽  
Ade Yuswandi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Geographic Distribution ◽  
Global Climate Change ◽  
Invasive Plant ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Invasive Plant Species ◽  
The Future ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Occurrence Records

Aims: This study aims to predict the future geographic distribution shift of invasive plant species Austroeupathorium inulifolium as the impact of global climate change. Study Design: The rising temperature and precipitation change lead to the geographic distribution shift of organisms. A. inulifolium belongs to invasive plant species that often causes a substantial economic loss and ecological degradation in the invaded areas. Modelling of species distribution using the climate-based model could be used to understand the geographic distribution shift of invasive species in the future scenario under global climate change. Place and Duration of Study: Center for Plant Conservation and Botanic Gardens – LIPI and 6 months. Methodology: The total 2228 of occurrence records were derived from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) database. The seven climatic variables were selected from 19 variables using a pairwise correlation test (vifcor) with a threshold >0.7. The ensemble model was used by combining Random Forest (RF) and Support Vector Machine (SVM). Results: Both two models are well-performed either using AUC or TSS evaluation methods. RF and SVM have AUC >0.95, and TSS >0.8. The predicted current distribution tends to have larger distribution areas compared to observed occurrence records. The predicted future distribution seems to be shifted in several parts of North America and Europe. Conclusion: The geographic distribution of invasive plant species A. inulifolium will be shifted to the Northern part of globe in 2090. Mean temperature of driest quarter and precipitation of warmest quarter are the two most important variables that determine the distribution pattern of the A. inulifolium. The predictive distribution pattern of invasive plant A. inulifolium would be important to provide information about the impact of climate change to the geographic distribution shift of this species.

scholarly journals Invazivne biljke kalničkih šuma

2016 ◽  
Vol 140 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 64-64
Author(s):  
Gabrijel Horvat ◽  
Jozo Franjić
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Invasive Plant ◽  
Ambrosia Artemisiifolia ◽  
Invasive Plant Species ◽  
Important Species ◽  
Forest Lands ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Acacia Tree

This paper presents an invasive plant species that occur in the forests of Kalnik. It also presents the state of the distribution and their impact on forests of Kalnik. A total of 14 invasive species in the forests of Kalnik and these are – Acer negundo L., Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle, Ambrosia artemisiifolia L., Amorpha fruticosa L., Asclepias syriaca L., Conyza canadensis (L.) Cronquist, Echinocystis lobata (Michx.) Torr. et Gray, Erigeron annuus (L.) Pers., Impatiens glandulifera Royle, Juncus tenuis Willd.), Phytolacca americana L., Reynoutria japonica Houtt., Robinia pseudoacacia L., Solidago gigantea Aiton. Alochtonous vegetation is not only inevitable, but it also appears to be a constant future challenge in the globalizing world which communicates on all levels with every means possible. Its influence should not by any means be marginalized. Its importance and influence is not completely negative and there are possible benefits and dangers which should be controlled by the preventive measures and physical regulation. The most important species in Kalnik forest vegetation is definitely acacia. It is especially important for private forest lands where acacia tree has become very popular because of its characteristics as a fast growing tree species without any special requirements with relation to growth and it gives fast results concerning timber and firewood. Private lots are usually very small and fragmented. There is a growing need for timber, therefore the trees are grown extensively, from stumps and roots. Other woody species still do not pose a serious threat in economical or biological sense. The impact of herbaceous plants differs in various areas. The most problematic issues for the forestersare thick layers of unwanted specieswhich grow in young forest stands or in forests in the phase of restorationwhere these unwanted speciesinvasively compete with autochthonous species. In biological sense, invasive species pose a constant threat not only to domestic vegetation and biodiversity, but also to human health. We should also mention apiculture, a very important and well developed activity on Kalnik. Above mentioned species are very important and interesting for apiculture as a type of rich bee pasturage. Apiculture in this area depends on acacia pasturage and it is one of very important reasons for growing acacia tree. Other tree species are also valuable for bee pasturage, especially late in autumn when there is no other bee pasturage available and they are mostly species which blossom in autumn and represent a valuable source of pollen (Japanese Knotweed, Prickly cucumber and European goldenrod). Generally speaking, the biggest responsibility for possible consequences of invasive plant species to the vegetation of Kalnik lies on foresters who have to recognize and monitor the appearance of invasive species, especially in state forest lands where they grow and directly influence their composition and state.

scholarly journals Still no evidence that pathogen accumulation can revert the impact of invasive plant species

2017 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariana C. Chiuffo ◽  
Nahuel Policelli ◽  
Jaime Moyano ◽  
Agostina Torres ◽  
Mariano A. Rodriguez-Cabal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Invasive Plant ◽  
Invasive Plant Species ◽  
The Impact

scholarly journals Impact of invasive alien plant species, Lantana camara, on the species composition, richness and evenness of invaded plant communities in Sidama, Gamogofa and Gedio Zones, Ethiopia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amare Seifu Assefa ◽  
Ermias Lulekal Molla
Keyword(s):  
Species Diversity ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Plant Communities ◽  
Invasive Plant ◽  
Lantana Camara ◽  
Economic Sectors ◽  
Alien Plant ◽  
Invasive Alien Plant ◽  
Plant Families ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Invasive alien species represent one of the major threats to biodiversity and all economic sectors. Lantana camara has been ranked as the highest impacting invasive plant species in the study areas. However, its impact on diversity and composition of invaded plant communities has not been well studied. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the impact of Lantana camara on species diversity and composition of invaded plant communities in the study areas. A total of 120, 10m X 10m plots were sampled so as to examine its effects of invasions on the species diversity and composition of invaded communities. A total of 109 species were found in the non-invaded areas as compared to 56 in the invaded areas. The number of species decreased by 48.6% in Lantana camara invaded areas as compared to the control. The mean evenness values of the entire invaded sampled study site and that of the control were 0.24 and 0.81 respectively. Thus, the heterogeneity of the invaded study sites was reduced by 57%. The number of plant families was 44 in the control areas in contrast to only 30 in the invaded areas. The number of plant families decreased by 31.8% in the invaded areas as compared to the control. Therefore, it was noted that Lantana camara has a serious impact on plant diversity hence the finding calls for an urgent management and control strategy against the spread of Lantana camara so as to save the ongoing threat to biodiversity.

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