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Peller T, Altermatt F. Invasive species drive cross-ecosystem effects worldwide. Nat Ecol Evol 2024; 8:1087-1097. [PMID: 38503866 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-024-02380-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Invasive species are pervasive around the world and have profound impacts on the ecosystem they invade. Invasive species, however, can also have impacts beyond the ecosystem they invade by altering the flow of non-living materials (for example, nutrients or chemicals) or movement of organisms across the boundaries of the invaded ecosystem. Cross-ecosystem interactions via spatial flows are ubiquitous in nature, for example, connecting forests and lakes, grasslands and rivers, and coral reefs and the deep ocean. Yet, we have a limited understanding of the cross-ecosystem impacts invasive species have relative to their local effects. By synthesizing emerging evidence, here we demonstrate the cross-ecosystem impacts of invasive species as a ubiquitous phenomenon that influences biodiversity and ecosystem functioning around the world. We identify three primary ways by which invasive species have cross-ecosystem effects: first, by altering the magnitude of spatial flows across ecosystem boundaries; second, by altering the quality of spatial flows; and third, by introducing novel spatial flows. Ultimately, the strong impacts invasive species can drive across ecosystem boundaries suggests the need for a paradigm shift in how we study and manage invasive species around the world, expanding from a local to a cross-ecosystem perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianna Peller
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
- Department of Aquatic Ecology, Eawag: Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Dübendorf, Switzerland.
| | - Florian Altermatt
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
- Department of Aquatic Ecology, Eawag: Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Dübendorf, Switzerland.
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Alonso A, Boyero L, Solla A, Ferreira V. Dieback and Replacement of Riparian Trees May Impact Stream Ecosystem Functioning. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2024; 87:32. [PMID: 38228918 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-024-02343-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
Alders are nitrogen (N)-fixing riparian trees that promote leaf litter decomposition in streams through their high-nutrient leaf litter inputs. While alders are widespread across Europe, their populations are at risk due to infection by the oomycete Phytophthora ×alni, which causes alder dieback. Moreover, alder death opens a space for the establishment of an aggressive N-fixing invasive species, the black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia). Shifts from riparian vegetation containing healthy to infected alder and, eventually, alder loss and replacement with black locust may alter the key process of leaf litter decomposition and associated microbial decomposer assemblages. We examined this question in a microcosm experiment comparing three types of leaf litter mixtures: one representing an original riparian forest composed of healthy alder (Alnus lusitanica), ash (Fraxinus angustifolia), and poplar (Populus nigra); one with the same species composition where alder had been infected by P. ×alni; and one where alder had been replaced with black locust. The experiment lasted six weeks, and every two weeks, microbially driven decomposition, fungal biomass, reproduction, and assemblage structure were measured. Decomposition was highest in mixtures with infected alder and lowest in mixtures with black locust, reflecting differences in leaf nutrient concentrations. Mixtures with alder showed distinct fungal assemblages and higher sporulation rates than mixtures with black locust. Our results indicate that alder loss and its replacement with black locust may alter key stream ecosystem processes and assemblages, with important changes already occurring during alder infection. This highlights the importance of maintaining heathy riparian forests to preserve proper stream ecosystem functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Alonso
- Department of Plant Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain.
| | - Luz Boyero
- Department of Plant Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
- Basque Foundation for Science, IKERBASQUE, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Alejandro Solla
- Faculty of Forestry, Institute for Dehesa Research (INDEHESA), Universidad de Extremadura, Avenida Virgen del Puerto 2, 10600, Plasencia, Spain
| | - Verónica Ferreira
- Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre (MARE), Aquatic Research Network (ARNET), Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal
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Wang Y, Liu Y, Ma M, Ding Z, Wu S, Jia W, Chen Q, Yi X, Zhang J, Li X, Luo G, Huang J. Dam-induced difference of invasive plant species distribution along the riparian habitats. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 808:152103. [PMID: 34863735 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Riparian ecosystem is structurally unstable due to the frequent disturbances from water fluctuation. Moreover, dams on large rivers tend to trigger fundamental changes of the composition and structure of riparian plant communities, which provides high odds for invasive species to colonize. Yet, how the invasive species distribute along a dam-induced riparian habitat, and how the native species resist to plant invasion are still puzzles. In this study, we investigated spatial distribution of invasive floral species and its correlation with the distance from dam and the dam-triggered flooding stresses, as well as the resistance of native species to plant invasion in the water level fluctuation zone (WLFZ) of the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) along the Yangtze River. By our investigation, a total of 43 alien plant species belonging to 14 families and 34 genera were found, including 20 existed and 23 newly discovered alien species recorded. Most of the new invasive species are annual herbs of the Asteraceae family. At the current successional stage, the new invasive species had not yet fully occupied the habitats of the existed invasive species. Longitudinally, number and coverages of the new invasive species showed an opposite distribution pattern to the existed invasive species, but vertically they demonstrated similar pattern. Currently, the new dominant invasive species are mainly concentrated at the intermediate elevation of WLFZ in the middle section of the reservoir, whereas the existed dominant invasive species have proliferated across the whole WLFZ. Additionally, native species showed a weak resistance to plant invasion, and water fluctuation along the elevation exerted the most significant influence on plant invasion. The results indicated that, after a decade of riparian community succession, the invasiveness of alien species remain persisted. The potential penetration site of the invasion may locate at the intermediate section along the vertical and longitudinal dimension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanfeng Wang
- The Three Gorges Institute of Ecological Environment, Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China; University of Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Ying Liu
- The Three Gorges Institute of Ecological Environment, Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China.
| | - Maohua Ma
- The Three Gorges Institute of Ecological Environment, Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China
| | - Zhi Ding
- Chongqing Jinfo Mountain Field Scientific Observation and Research Station for Kast Ecosystem, Ministry of Education, School of Geographical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400175, China
| | - Shengjun Wu
- The Three Gorges Institute of Ecological Environment, Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China.
| | - Weitao Jia
- The Three Gorges Institute of Ecological Environment, Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China
| | - Qiao Chen
- The Three Gorges Institute of Ecological Environment, Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China
| | - Xuemei Yi
- The Three Gorges Institute of Ecological Environment, Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- The Three Gorges Institute of Ecological Environment, Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China
| | - Xiaohong Li
- The Three Gorges Institute of Ecological Environment, Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China
| | - Gaohang Luo
- The Three Gorges Institute of Ecological Environment, Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China
| | - Jinxia Huang
- The Three Gorges Institute of Ecological Environment, Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China
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Machado R, Neto Duarte L, Gil A, Sousa‐Neves N, Pirnat J, Santos P. Supporting the spatial management of invasive alien plants through assessment of landscape dynamics and connectivity. Restor Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.13592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rui Machado
- MED—Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development, Instituto de Investigacão e Formação Avançada Universidade de Évora Pólo da Mitra, Ap. 94 Évora 7006‐554 Portugal
| | - Liliana Neto Duarte
- Centre for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences University of Coimbra Calçada Martim de Freitas Coimbra 3000‐456 Portugal
| | - Artur Gil
- IVAR—Research Institute for Volcanology and Risks Assessment University of the Azores Ponta Delgada 9500‐321 Portugal
- cE3c—Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes & ABG—Azorean Biodiversity Group, Faculty of Sciences and Technology University of the Azores Ponta Delgada 9500‐321 Portugal
| | - Nuno Sousa‐Neves
- Departamento de Paisagem, Ambiente e Ordenamento, Escola de Ciências e Tecnologia Instituto de Investigação e Formação Avançada, Universidade de Évora Rua Romão Ramalho, No. 59 Évora 7000‐671 Portugal
- e‐GEO—Research Centre for Geography and Regional Planning, Faculdade de Ciências Sociais e Humanas Universidade Nova de Lisboa Lisbon Portugal
| | - Janez Pirnat
- Department for Forestry and Renewable Forest Resources University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty Večna Pot 83 Ljubljana 1000 Slovenia
| | - Pedro Santos
- MED—Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development and Departamento de Paisagem, Ambiente e Ordenamento, Escola de Ciências e Tecnologia, Instituto de Investigação e Formação Avançada Universidade de Évora Rua Romão Ramalho, No. 59 Évora 7000‐671 Portugal
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Pérez J, Ferreira V, Graça MAS, Boyero L. Litter Quality Is a Stronger Driver than Temperature of Early Microbial Decomposition in Oligotrophic Streams: a Microcosm Study. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2021; 82:897-908. [PMID: 34570249 PMCID: PMC8551116 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-021-01858-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Litter decomposition is an ecological process of key importance for forest headwater stream functioning, with repercussions for the global carbon cycle. The process is directly and indirectly mediated by microbial decomposers, mostly aquatic hyphomycetes, and influenced by environmental and biological factors such as water temperature and litter quality. These two factors are forecasted to change globally within the next few decades, in ways that may have contrasting effects on microbial-induced litter decomposition: while warming is expected to enhance microbial performance, the reduction in litter quality due to increased atmospheric carbon dioxide and community composition alteration may have the opposite outcome. We explored this issue through a microcosm experiment focused on early microbial-mediated litter decomposition under stream oligotrophic conditions, by simultaneously manipulating water temperature (10 °C and 15 °C) and litter quality (12 broadleaf plant species classified into 4 categories based on initial concentrations of nitrogen and tannins). We assessed potential changes in microbial-mediated litter decomposition and the performance of fungal decomposers (i.e., microbial respiration, biomass accrual, and sporulation rate) and species richness. We found stronger effects of litter quality, which enhanced the performance of microbial decomposers and decomposition rates, than temperature, which barely influenced any of the studied variables. Our results suggest that poorer litter quality associated with global change will have a major repercussion on stream ecosystem functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Pérez
- Stream Ecology Laboratory, Department of Plant Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, Bilbao, Spain.
- MARE-Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Verónica Ferreira
- MARE-Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Manuel A S Graça
- MARE-Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Luz Boyero
- Stream Ecology Laboratory, Department of Plant Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, Bilbao, Spain
- IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain
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Pereira A, Figueiredo A, Ferreira V. Invasive Acacia Tree Species Affect Instream Litter Decomposition Through Changes in Water Nitrogen Concentration and Litter Characteristics. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2021; 82:257-273. [PMID: 33864129 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-021-01749-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Non-native nitrogen-fixing Acacia species have been invading riparian ecosystems worldwide, potentially threatening stream communities that strongly depend on allochthonous litter. We examined the effects of the invasion of native deciduous temperate forests by Acacia species on litter decomposition and associated fungal decomposers in streams. Litter of native (Alnus glutinosa and Quercus robur) and invasive (Acacia melanoxylon) species were enclosed in fine-mesh bags and immersed in three native and three invaded streams, for 14-98 days. Litter decomposition rates, fungal biomass, and aquatic hyphomycete sporulation rates were higher in invaded than in native streams, likely due to the higher water nitrogen concentration found in invaded streams. Alnus glutinosa litter had higher aquatic hyphomycete sporulation rates and species richness, and higher decomposition rates, probably because they were soft and nitrogen rich. Quercus robur litter also had high aquatic hyphomycete sporulation rates but lower decomposition rates than Al. glutinosa, probably due to high polyphenol concentration and carbon:nitrogen ratio. Acacia melanoxylon litter had lower aquatic hyphomycete sporulation rates and species richness, and lower decomposition rates, most likely because it was very tough. Thus, litter decomposition rates varied in the order: Al. glutinosa > Q. robur > Ac. melanoxylon. The aquatic hyphomycete community structure strongly differed between native and invaded streams, and among litter species, suggesting that microbes were sensitive to water nitrogen concentration and litter characteristics. Overall, increases in water nitrogen concentration and alterations in litter characteristics promoted by the invasion of native riparian forests by Acacia species may affect the activity and community structure of microbial decomposers, and instream litter decomposition, thus altering the functioning of stream ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Pereira
- MARE-Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Albano Figueiredo
- CEGOT-Centre of Studies in Geography and Spatial Planning, Department of Geography and Tourism, University of Coimbra, Largo da Porta Férrea, 3004-530, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Verónica Ferreira
- MARE-Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal
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Regeneration of Riparian and Maritime Pine Forests after a Large Wildfire on the Largest Public Forest of Portugal. FORESTS 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/f12040477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Eighty-six percent of the largest Portuguese public forest, Leiria National Forest (Mata Nacional de Leiria—MNL), central west, was burned in a wildfire in October 2017. Most of the area was covered by maritime pine stands (Pinus pinaster Aiton) crossed by riparian forests along small-sized streams. This work aims to characterize the post-fire vegetation and evaluate its natural regeneration. Sampling was carried out c. 6 months after the fire in 28 plots distributed at pine stands (3.5 × 3.5 m2) and in 24 plots (5 × 20 m2) at stream channels and riverbanks. These latter surveys were repeated in 2019. Data include the floristic composition and cover data of pine stands and streams, and the number of pine seedlings. Six months after the fire, 60% and 93% of the pre-fire species were observed at streams and pine stands, respectively. Fire severity was not related to differences in flora composition, nor with species richness. Pine seedlings were significantly more abundant in pine stands >60 years old compared to younger (<25 y) stands, but no significant differences were observed in the regeneration of understory. On riparian landscapes, the germination and resprouting of invasive exotic species, such as Acacia sp., created dense vegetation formations with decreased native plant diversity and altered the ecosystem structure. Following large wildfires, such as the one in MNL, managers should prioritize preserving the natural regeneration potential in the soil and aerial seed banks.
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