Abstract
Willows invade many riparian environments around the world. Understanding the environmental factors that affect the establishment of non-native invasive plants, as well as characterizing population structure and stages of invasion, are crucial steps to define priority areas for monitoring and management. In this study, we characterized the population structure of the hybrid invasive tree Salix × rubens, determined the stage of the invasion process, and identified relevant factors for the establishment of regenerating plants in a subtropical riparian system in southern Brazil. We assessed population structure by measuring stem perimeter and height of plants sampled along river banks and riverbeds along several rivers, and measured environmental variables that may explain abundance patterns of regenerants. We showed that the majority of regenerants developed in riverbeds. The species seems to be transitioning between the establishment and dispersal phases of the invasion process. The abundance of regenerants was affected mainly by the abundance of nearby S. × rubens adults. Abundance of regenerants was negatively influenced by canopy openness, an unexpected result since S. × rubens is considered light-demanding. Our study provides insights for management strategies of S. × rubens, which must focus on searching sites along rivers where adult trees are present.
Resumen
Los sauces invaden numerosos ambientes riparios alrededor del mundo. Comprender los factores ambientales que afectan el establecimiento de plantas exóticas invasoras, así como caracterizar la estructura poblacional y las etapas del proceso de invasión, son pasos cruciales para definir áreas prioritarias para su monitoreo y manejo. En este estudio caracterizamos la estructura poblacional del árbol híbrido invasor Salix × rubens, determinamos la etapa del proceso de invasión e identificamos factores relevantes para el establecimiento de renovales en un sistema ripario subtropical en el sur de Brasil. Evaluamos la estructura poblacional midiendo el perímetro del tallo y la altura de los individuos localizados en las riberas y cauces de varios ríos, y medimos las variables ambientales que pueden explicar los patrones de abundancia en la regeneración. Demostramos que la mayoría de los renovales estaban en los cauces de ríos. La especie estudiada parece encontrarse en la transición entre las fases de establecimiento y dispersión en el proceso de invasión. La abundancia de los renovales fue afectada principalmente por la abundancia de los adultos cercanos de S. × rubens. La abundancia de los renovales fue afectada negativamente por la abertura del dosel, un resultado inesperado debido a que S. × rubens es luz-dependiente. Nuestro estudio aporta perspectivas para estrategias de manejo de S. × rubens, las cuales deben centrarse en la búsqueda de sitios cercanos a ríos donde árboles adultos de S. × rubens están presentes.
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Data availability
The datasets generated during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
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Acknowledgements
We thank the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio) for authorizing data collection and accommodating researchers at their facilities. We thank Elise Lara Galitzki for her assistance in the field. We acknowledge the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC) for the physical and financial support.
Funding
We appreciate the logistical and financial support from the Long-Term Ecological Research program—Biodiversity of Santa Catarina (PELD-BISC): CNPq/Capes/FAPs/BC-Fundo Newton/PELD n° 15/2016, Chamada CNPq/MCTI/CONFAP-FAPS/PELD no 21/2020) and FAPESC (FAPESC 2018TR0928; FAPESC 2021TR386). MSD receives financial support from CNPq (Research Productivity Scholarship—Bolsa de Produtividade em Pesquisa—# 302880/2022-4). RBS receives financial support from CNPq (CNPq/MCTI/CONFAP-FAPs/PELD N° 21/2020—Programa: Programa de Pesquisa Ecológica de Longa Duração—PELD).
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L.O. Becker, R.B. Sühs and M.S. Dechoum designed the study and analyzed the data. L.O. Becker collected the data and wrote the first draft of the manuscript. All authors contributed during the writing and revision processes of this manuscript.
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Becker, L.O., Sühs, R.B. & Dechoum, M.S. Understanding willow invasion in subtropical highlands. Biol Invasions 26, 769–778 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-023-03206-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-023-03206-0