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Invasion by an exotic tree alters above and belowground ecosystem components

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Abstract

With the widespread introduction and invasion of exotic plants there is a need for studies that quantify alterations of basic ecosystem structure and function. Ecosystem invasion by Melaleuca quinquenervia significantly altered both above- and belowground ecosystem components in this study. We measured the quantity and nutrient concentration of the litterfall, litter layer, and soil; microbial biomass pools; and rates of potentially mineralizable nitrogen and soil oxygen demand. Annual litterfall was 4.9 times higher in the non-invaded sites and contained 1.9 times more phosphorus than invaded sites. Non-invaded plots contained a larger litter layer compared to invaded plots: 2.4 ± 1.2 kg m−2 and 0.62 ± 0.3 kg m−2 , respectively. Lower nutrient concentration and quantity of the litter layer in the invaded plots led to changes in the aboveground storage of nutrients. In the invaded plots there was four times less carbon, seven times less nitrogen, and ten times less phosphorus stored in the organic litter layer compared to the non-invaded plots. Microbial biomass nutrient pools were consistently lower at both the 0–5 cm and 5–15 cm depth in the invaded soils compared to non-invaded soils, indicating a plant mediated change. Although M. quinquenervia altered microbial community structure, microbial activities were not different between invaded and non-invaded plots at either depth as measured by rates of soil oxygen demand and potentially mineralizable nitrogen. These changes may affect both native plant growth and water quality, and may act to promote and maintain site dominance by M. quinquenervia.

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Acknowledgements

We are especially appreciative of the invaluable insights and long hours of field support of the staff of the USDA-ARS Invasive Plant Research Laboratory, including Eileen Pokorny, Ryan Pierce, Matthew Smart, Emily White, Kayla Nimmo, Elizabeth Bolton, and Susan Keusch.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Soil and Water Science, University of Florida, 106 Newell Hall, P.O. Box 110510, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA

    Melissa R. Martin

  2. United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Invasive Plant Research Laboratory, 3225 College Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33314, USA

    Philip W. Tipping

  3. Department of Environmental Sciences, University of California, Riverside, 212 Science Laboratories 1, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA

    James O. Sickman

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  1. Melissa R. Martin
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Correspondence to Melissa R. Martin.

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Martin, M.R., Tipping, P.W. & Sickman, J.O. Invasion by an exotic tree alters above and belowground ecosystem components. Biol Invasions 11, 1883–1894 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-008-9366-3

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