In:
NeoBiota, Pensoft Publishers, Vol. 57 ( 2020-06-17), p. 109-131
Abstract:
The impact of invasive species is often difficult to assess due to species × ecosystem interactions. Impatiens glandulifera heavily invaded several habitat types in Central Europe but its impact on native plant communities is rated ambiguously. One reason could be that the impact differs between habitat types or even between environmentally heterogeneous patches (micro-habitats) within one habitat type. In the present study a vegetation survey was performed within heterogeneous riverside habitats in Germany investigating the impact of I. glandulifera on native vegetation in dependence of environmental conditions. The vegetation was recorded in summer and spring because of seasonal species turnover and thus potentially different impact of the invasive plant. We found that the cover of I. glandulifera depended on environmental conditions resulting in a patchy occurrence. I. glandulifera did not have any impact on plant alpha-diversity but reduced the cover of the native vegetation, especially of the dominant species. This effect depended on micro-habitat and season. The native vegetation was most affected in bright micro-habitats, especially those with a high soil moisture. Not distinguishing between micro-habitats, plant species composition was not affected in summer but in spring. However, environmental conditions had a higher impact on the native vegetation than I. glandulifera . We conclude that within riparian habitats the threat of I. glandulifera to the native vegetation can be rated low since native species were reduced in cover but not excluded from the communities. This might be due to patchy occurrence and year-to-year changes in cover of I. glandulifera . The context-dependency in terms of micro-habitat and season requires specific risk assessments which is also an opportunity for nature conservation to develop management plans specific to the different habitats. Particular attention should be given to habitats that are bright and very wet since the effect of I. glandulifera was strongest in these habitats.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1314-2488
,
1619-0033
DOI:
10.3897/neobiota.57.51331
DOI:
10.3897/neobiota.57.51331.suppl1
DOI:
10.3897/neobiota.57.51331.suppl10
DOI:
10.3897/neobiota.57.51331.suppl2
DOI:
10.3897/neobiota.57.51331.suppl3
DOI:
10.3897/neobiota.57.51331.suppl4
DOI:
10.3897/neobiota.57.51331.suppl5
DOI:
10.3897/neobiota.57.51331.suppl6
DOI:
10.3897/neobiota.57.51331.suppl7
DOI:
10.3897/neobiota.57.51331.suppl8
DOI:
10.3897/neobiota.57.51331.suppl9
Language:
Unknown
Publisher:
Pensoft Publishers
Publication Date:
2020
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2628537-X
SSG:
21