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Could knotweeds invade mountains in their introduced range? An analysis of patches dynamics along an elevational gradient

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Abstract

The highly invasive knotweeds (Reynoutria spp.) are still infrequent in mountain regions. Despite their current low abundance, they may represent a significant threat for high elevation ecosystems if their population dynamics remain as aggressive as in lowlands during their range expansion to higher elevation. The aim of this study is to assess the knotweed’s invasion potential in mountainous regions by studying patch dynamics along an elevational gradient (between 787 and 1666 m a.s.l.) and by reviewing existing literature on their presence and performance in mountains. The outlines of 48 knotweed patches located in the French Alps were measured in 2008 and in 2015 along with biotic, abiotic and management variables. Based on these variables, knotweed’s cover changes and patch density were predicted using mixed models. Results showed that elevation has no effect on knotweeds dynamics along the studied elevational gradient. It appeared that the local expansion of knotweed patches is essentially controlled by the patches’ initial size and the distance to roads and rivers, i.e. to obstacles and sources of disturbance. Shade and patches’ size also impact knotweed patch density, probably through an effect on the species’ clonal reproduction and foraging strategies. Interestingly, patches seemed insensitive to the gradient of mowing frequency sampled in this study (between zero and five times per year). All evidences indicate that the knotweed complex is able to colonize and thrive in mountains areas. However, due to the particularities of its spatial dynamics, adequate and timely actions could easily be undertaken to prevent further invasion and associated impacts and reduce management costs.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to express our gratitude to Nathan Daumergue, Vincent Breton, Guillaume Abry and Solange Leblois for their assistance and to Linda Northrup for correcting the English manuscript. We thank the Conseil Départemental de l’Isère and all managers surveyed for their participation. We are also grateful to Irstea and to the ITTECOP-Dynarp project for their financial support.

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FMM, FD, TS and AE designed the present study; FMM, FD, PJ, CV and TS collected the data; FMM, PJ and CV analyzed the data; FMM wrote the original manuscript, and all authors contributed substantially to the manuscript improvement and validation.

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Correspondence to François-Marie Martin.

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Electronic supplementary material

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Correlation circle of the PCA on the soil variables (EPS 1352 KB)

Bivariate relationship between the response variables and the explanatory variables (EPS 2622 KB)

35_2018_214_MOESM3_ESM.xlsx

Presentation of the 44 a priori models built for selection to predict the relative and the absolute cover change dependent variables at the patch scale (XLSX 31 KB)

35_2018_214_MOESM4_ESM.xlsx

Presentation of the 44 a priori models built for selection to predict the ramet density variable at the patch scale (XLSX 31 KB)

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Martin, FM., Dommanget, F., Janssen, P. et al. Could knotweeds invade mountains in their introduced range? An analysis of patches dynamics along an elevational gradient. Alp Botany 129, 33–42 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00035-018-0214-5

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