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Multiple scale analysis of factors influencing the distribution of an invasive aquatic grass

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Abstract

With the expected increase in the spread of invasive species, examination of factors controlling distributions at multiple spatial scales and ecological modelling of their potential distributions are important analyses for informed decision-making. The scale-dependence of mechanisms influencing invasion by non-native species has been shown previously, indicating that studies of key factors affecting invasive species distributions at multiple spatial scales are critical for successful management. Freshwater systems are particularly vulnerable to invasive species, yet few studies have examined the environmental factors influencing distributions of invasive species at multiple spatial scales. We examined the effect of environmental variables on the predicted distribution of the invasive aquatic grass Glyceria maxima over continental, regional and local scales in Australia. We undertook an initial critical evaluation of which predictor variables were most appropriate to use at each scale, largely considering prior knowledge. On a continental scale, climatic, topographic and hydrological variables predicted well the potential distribution of G. maxima, identifying temperate regions as most susceptible to invasion. The regional analysis found that dense, woody, riparian vegetation has a strong negative impact on the occurrence of G. maxima, especially at intermediate elevations. The invasive grass was found less often on biotite granite and on fluvial geology. At a local scale, occurrence of G. maxima was related positively to soil phosphorus and nitrogen, and negatively related to soil organic carbon. The identification of key factors affecting invasive species distributions at multiple spatial scales will inform prevention schemes, assist targeted field sampling for the development of monitoring programs, and allow prioritization of control methods.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank W. Brown, G. Rooney, L. Carpenter, and S. Schreiber for their ongoing support and advice on this project. The authors acknowledge the Australian Herbarium and Melbourne Water Authority for the Glyceria maxima data they provided. This study was partially funded by the Cooperative Research Centre for Freshwater Ecology. This is publication number 112 from the Australian Centre for Biodiversity.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Australian Centre for Biodiversity, School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, 3800, Australia

    Sarina E. Loo, Ralph Mac Nally, Dennis J. O’Dowd, James R. Thomson & P. S. Lake

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  1. Sarina E. Loo
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  2. Ralph Mac Nally
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  3. Dennis J. O’Dowd
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  4. James R. Thomson
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  5. P. S. Lake
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Correspondence to Sarina E. Loo.

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Loo, S.E., Mac Nally, R., O’Dowd, D.J. et al. Multiple scale analysis of factors influencing the distribution of an invasive aquatic grass. Biol Invasions 11, 1903–1912 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-008-9368-1

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