Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tyler C. Coverdale, Ryan D. O'Connell, Matthew C. Hutchinson, Amanda Savagian, Tyler R. Kartzinel, Todd M. Palmer, Jacob R. Goheen, David J. Augustine, Mahesh Sankaran, Corina E. Tarnita, Robert M. Pringle
Summary: The presence of wild large herbivores in East African savannas helps to suppress the growth of lianas, while the absence of these herbivores results in a significant increase in liana abundance, negatively impacting tree growth. The recolonization of herbivores after the removal of exclusion fences highlights the importance of herbivores in controlling plant community dynamics in savanna ecosystems.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
S. Santamarina, D. Montesinos, E. Alfaro-Saiz, C. Acedo
Summary: This study found that the invasive alien tree Paraserianthes lophantha poses a threat to the native shrub Quercus lusitanica through competition. However, the long-term conservation of Q. lusitanica is further compromised by increased drought due to global change. The combined effects of biological invasions and climate change can have negative impacts on vulnerable plant species.
Article
Forestry
Andrea Bueno, Karin Pritsch, Judy Simon
Summary: Invasive woody species pose a major threat to native communities, especially during periods of increased summer drought. Competition for nitrogen between native and invasive species may play a key role in the invasion process. Traits of invasive species may provide advantages in nitrogen competition under drought conditions in Central Europe.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Bruno dos Santos Rabelo, Frank Van Langevelde, Kyle Tomlinson, Pedro Diniz, Dulce Alves da Silva, Eduardo R. M. Barbosa, Fabian Borghetti
Summary: Invasive grasses have invaded ancient savannas and had significant impacts on native landscapes. This study examined the effects of an invasive grass and a native grass on the survival and growth of native tree seedlings in neotropical savannas. Experimental manipulations of light, water supply, and fertilization were conducted to understand how these factors interact with grass species to affect tree seedlings. The results showed that both grass species reduced tree seedling survival and growth, and these effects were not mitigated by shade, irrigation, or fertilization. The impacts of the invasive grass were greater than those of the native grass, highlighting the need for management plans to control invasive grasses and conserve native biodiversity and ecosystem services.
BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Michael B. Walters, Justin M. Kunkle, Richard K. Kobe, Evan J. Farinosi
Summary: Periodic drought, soil moisture regimes, canopy shading, and species seedling traits influence tree regeneration processes in northern temperate forests. In this study, we assessed the effects of soil moisture regimes and canopy shading on seedling dry mass, mortality, and functional traits for eight tree species. The results showed that drought-driven mortality was high, especially on drier sites with more open environments. Canopy shading only led to mortality on mesic sites. Survival was highest for Quercus species and lowest for Betula alleghaniensis, and it was positively associated with drought tolerance and certain seedling traits. Our findings highlight the importance of soil moisture regimes, canopy density, and species traits in shaping seedling mortality patterns and have implications for planting strategies and the potential impacts of drought under climate change.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Abdulaziz M. Assaeed, Abdullah S. Alharthi, Ahmed M. Abd-ElGawad
Summary: Invasive Nicotiana glauca shrubs have significant effects on native vegetation composition and soil properties in the Taif region of Saudi Arabia. The invaded locations showed substantial variation in community composition, with some experiencing competition from the invasive species while others showed facilitation. The invasion altered species interactions, nutrients, and soil properties, highlighting the ecological impact of invasive species on different ecosystems.
Article
Ecology
Deyi Yin, Scott J. Meiners, Ming Ni, Qing Ye, Fangliang He, Marc W. Cadotte
Summary: Positive interactions are widespread in plant communities and have important effects on species invasions and community dynamics. They are more frequent during early establishment stages and are more common and stronger between native species compared to exotic species. Positive native interactions can protect communities from biological invasions.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Naara Ferreira da Silva, Pia Parolin, Maria Teresa Fernandez Piedade, Aline Lopes
Summary: This study investigated the effects of ecological interactions on the biomass of two native tree species in wetlands. The results support the stress-gradient hypothesis, showing that species with low flood tolerance are favored by the presence of other species in flooded environments.
Article
Ecology
Miguel Munoz Mazon, Kari Klanderud, Douglas Sheil
Summary: In this study, the researchers examined how canopy openings affect seedling persistence and growth and resulting elevation range limits. They found that open areas with full light exposure had a clear effect on the survival of six species, and above 2900 m elevation, all species had higher survival rates under the forest canopy. The study suggests that the influence of forest gaps and clearings offers new insights into tree range dynamics, limits, and conservation.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Ana Paula da Silva Bertao, Raissa Vitoria Vieira Leite, Aline Horodesky, Marcio Roberto Pie, Thiago Luis Zanin, Otto Samuel Mader Netto, Antonio Ostrensky
Summary: This study investigated the main ecological interactions between fouling aquatic organisms in a reservoir in southern Brazil and identified the most suitable period for machinery shutdown for cleaning and maintenance. Spring and summer were found to have the highest fouling rates and densities, while colder seasons showed the highest levels of diversity. Various interactions such as mutualism, commensalism, competition, epibiosis, cannibalism, and predation were identified among the organisms.
Article
Plant Sciences
Catherine Fahey, Stephen Luke Flory
Summary: The study found that invasive plants and simulated drought did not have significant soil legacy effects on plant growth and competition, but soil microbes played a significant role in plant competition. In competitions, soil microbes created a competitive hierarchy where pine was more competitive than wiregrass and cogongrass.
JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Ecology
Lucas A. Wauters, Peter W. W. Lurz, Francesca Santicchia, Claudia Romeo, Nicola Ferrari, Adriano Martinoli, John Gurnell
Summary: The eastern gray squirrel has been listed as one of the 100 worst invasive alien species by the IUCN. In Europe, its introduction has resulted in the extinction of native Eurasian red squirrels in the areas it has colonized. This replacement of native species by an alien competitor is a clear example of the devastating effects of biological invasions on native fauna.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Karsten Reise, Dagmar Lackschewitz, K. Mathias Wegner
Summary: In 2020, bare sandy flats of the Wadden Sea were invaded by an introduced alga, leading to competition with resident lugworms. Eventually, a coherent algal turf without lugworms emerged, providing new opportunities for small-sized benthic fauna.
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
S. R. Tega, I. Yatat-Djeumen, J. J. Tewa, P. Couteron
Summary: This paper presents a mathematical model of long-lasting coexistence of trees and grasses in humid savannas, considering the effects of fire and interactions between trees. Through qualitative analysis and numerical simulations, it is found that the system exhibits monostability or multistability depending on specific ecological thresholds, and the model can explain the spatial structures observed in the humid savanna zone.
APPLIED MATHEMATICAL MODELLING
(2022)
Article
Ecology
David L. Vergara-Tabares, Pedro G. Blendinger, Agustina Tello, Susana Peluc, Paula A. Tecco
Summary: Biological invasions pose a major threat to biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, but in some cases, invasive plants' fruits can facilitate seed dispersal by native species instead of disrupting mutualistic interactions.
