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The invasive species Alliaria petiolata (garlic mustard) increases soil nutrient availability in northern hardwood-conifer forests

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Abstract

The invasion of non-native plants can alter the diversity and activity of soil microorganisms and nutrient cycling within forests. We used field studies to analyze the impact of a successful invasive groundcover, Alliaria petiolata, on fungal diversity, soil nutrient availability, and pH in five northeastern US forests. We also used laboratory and greenhouse experiments to test three mechanisms by which A. petiolata may alter soil processes: (1) the release of volatile, cyanogenic glucosides from plant tissue; (2) the exudation of plant secondary compounds from roots; and (3) the decomposition of litter. Fungal community composition was significantly different between invaded and uninvaded soils at one site. Compared to uninvaded plots, plots invaded by A. petiolata were consistently and significantly higher in N, P, Ca and Mg availability, and soil pH. In the laboratory, the release of volatile compounds from the leaves of A. petiolata did not significantly alter soil N availability. Similarly, in the greenhouse, the colonization of native soils by A. petiolata roots did not alter soil nutrient cycling, implying that the exudation of secondary compounds has little effect on soil processes. In a leaf litter decomposition experiment, however, green rosette leaves of A. petiolata significantly increased the rate of decomposition of native tree species. The accelerated decomposition of leaf litter from native trees in the presence of A. petiolata rosette leaves shows that the death of these high-nutrient-content leaves stimulates decomposition to a greater extent than any negative effect that secondary compounds may have on the activity of the microbes decomposing the native litter. The results presented here, integrated with recent related studies, suggest that this invasive plant may change soil nutrient availability in such a way as to create a positive feedback between site occupancy and continued proliferation.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Eddie Brzostek, Anne Gallet Budynek, Jenny Talbot, Meredith Zaccherio, Bridgid Curry, Shaheen Kanchwala, Sharon Hyzy, and Colin Averill for laboratory and field assistance. In addition we thank the Great Mountain Forest Corporation, the Childs family, the Bridgeport Hydraulic Company and the Norfolk Land Trust for the use of their land. Jody Bronson, Russell Russ and Frank Christinat also provided valuable support. Finally we would like to thank Anne Gallet Budynek, Eddie Brzostek, Colin Orians and Pamela Templer for their helpful comments on earlier drafts of this manuscript. This research was supported by a grant from the USDA. Additional support for this research was provided to V. L. R. by an NSF Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grant and also by the Sigma Xi program Grants in Aid of Research. The experiments conducted here comply with the current laws of the United States.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02215, USA

    Vikki L. Rodgers, Leland K. Werden & Adrien C. Finzi

  2. Math and Science Division, Babson College, Kriebel Hall, Babson Park, MA, 02457, USA

    Vikki L. Rodgers

  3. Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA

    Benjamin E. Wolfe

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  1. Vikki L. Rodgers
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Correspondence to Vikki L. Rodgers.

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Communicated by Hormoz BassiriRad.

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Rodgers, V.L., Wolfe, B.E., Werden, L.K. et al. The invasive species Alliaria petiolata (garlic mustard) increases soil nutrient availability in northern hardwood-conifer forests. Oecologia 157, 459–471 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-008-1089-8

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