Skip to main content

Tall-statured grasses: a useful functional group for invasion science

Biological Invasions volume 21, pages 37–58 (2019)Cite this article

Abstract

Species in the grass family (Poaceae) have caused some of the most damaging invasions in natural ecosystems, but plants in this family are also among the most widely used by humans. Therefore, it is important to be able to predict their likelihood of naturalisation and impact. We explore whether plant height is of particular importance in determining naturalisation success and impact in Poaceae by comparing naturalisation of tall-statured grasses (TSGs; defined as grass species that maintain a self-supporting height of 2 m or greater) to non-TSGs using the Global Naturalised Alien Flora database. We review the competitive traits of TSGs and collate risk assessments conducted on TSGs. Of the c. 11,000 grass species globally, 929 qualify (c. 8.6%) as TSGs. 80.6% of TSGs are woody bamboos, with the remaining species scattered among 21 tribes in seven subfamilies. When all grass species were analysed, TSGs and non-TSGs did not differ significantly in the probability of naturalisation. However, when we analysed woody bamboos separately from the other grasses, the percentage of TSGs that have naturalised was 2–4 times greater than that of non-TSGs for both bamboos and non-bamboo groups. Our analyses suggest that woody bamboos should be analysed separately from other TSGs when considering naturalisation; within the ≥ 2 m height class they do not naturalise at the same rate as other TSGs. Rapid growth rate and the capacity to accumulate biomass (a function of height) give many TSGs a competitive advantage and allow them to form monospecific stands, accumulate dense and deep litter mats, reduce light availability at ground level, and alter fire and nutrient-cycling regimes, thereby driving rapid ecosystem transformation. While the height distribution in grasses is continuous (i.e. no obvious break is evident in heights), the 2 m designation for TSGs defines an important functional group in grasses that can improve predictive modelling for management and biosecurity.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

USD 39.95

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

References

  • Ahmad R, Liow P-S, Spencer DF, Jasieniuk M (2008) Molecular evidence for a single genetic clone of invasive Arundo donax in the United States. Aquat Bot 88:113–120

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Amougou N, Bertrand I, Machet J-M, Recous S (2011) Quality and decomposition in soil of rhizome, root and senescent leaf from Miscanthus × giganteus, as affected by harvest date and N fertilization. Plant Soil 338:83–97

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Amougou N, Bertrand I, Cadoux S, Recous S (2012) Miscanthus × giganteus leaf senescence, decomposition and C and N inputs to soil. GCB Bioenergy 4:698–707

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Angeloni NL, Jankowski KJ, Tuchman NC, Kelly JJ (2006) Effects of an invasive cattail species (Typha × glauca) on sediment nitrogen and microbial community composition in a freshwater wetland. FEMS Microbiol Lett 263:86–92

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bai S, Zhou G, Wang Y, Liang Q, Chen J, Cheng Y, Shen R (2013) Plant species diversity and dynamics in forests invaded by Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) in Tianmu Mountain Nature Reserve. Biodivers Sci 21:288–295

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bates D, Mächler M, Bolker B, Walker S (2015) Fitting linear mixed-effects models using lme4. J Stat Softw 67:1–48

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Belzile F, Labbe J, LeBlanc MC, Lavoie C (2010) Seeds contribute strongly to the spread of the invasive genotype of the common reed (Phragmites australis). Biol Invasions 12:2243–2250

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blanchard R, Kumschick S, Richardson DM (2017) Biofuel plants as potential invasive species: environmental concerns and progress towards objective risk assessment. In: Ruppel OC, Dix H (eds) Roadmap for sustainable biofuels in southern Africa: regulatory frameworks for improved development?, 1st edn. Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG, Baden-Baden, pp 47–60

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Bonnett G, Kushner J, Saltonstall K (2014) The reproductive biology of Saccharum spontaneum L.: implications for management of this invasive weed in Panama. NeoBiota 20:61

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bossard CC, Randall JM, Hshousky MC (2000) Invasive plants of California’s wildlands. University of California, Berkeley

    Google Scholar 

  • Bouton JH (2007) Molecular breeding of switchgrass for use as a biofuel crop. Curr Opin Genet Dev 17:553–558

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brooks ML, D’Antonio CM, Richardson DM, Grace JB, Keeley JE, DiTomaso JM, Hobbs RJ, Pellant M, Pyke D (2004) Effects of invasive alien plants on fire regimes. Bioscience 54:677–688

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Buddenhagen CE, Chimera C, Clifford P (2009) Assessing biofuel crop invasiveness: a case study. PLoS ONE 4:e5261

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Canavan K, Paterson ID, Hill MP (2017a) Exploring the origin and genetic diversity of the giant reed, Arundo donax in South Africa. Invasive Plant Sci Manag 10:53–60

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Canavan S, Richardson DM, Visser V, Roux JJL, Vorontsova MS, Wilson JRU (2017b) The global distribution of bamboos: assessing correlates of introduction and invasion. AoB Plants 9:plw078

    Google Scholar 

  • Canavan S, Kumschick S, Le Roux JJ, Richardson DM, Wilson JRU (2018a) Does origin determine environmental impacts? Not for bamboos. Plants People Planet. https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp3.5

  • Canavan K, Paterson ID, Lambertini C, Hill MP (2018b) Expansive reed populations-alien invasion or disturbed wetlands? AoB Plants 10:ply014

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Chambers RM, Meyerson LA, Saltonstall K (1999) Expansion of Phragmites australis into tidal wetlands of North America. Aquat Bot 64:261–273

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen J, Shafi M, Li S, Wang Y, Wu J, Ye Z, Peng D, Yan W, Liu D (2015) Copper induced oxidative stresses, antioxidant responses and phytoremediation potential of Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens). Sci Rep 5:13554

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Coffman GC, Ambrose RF, Rundel PW (2010) Wildfire promotes dominance of invasive giant reed (Arundo donax) in riparian ecosystems. Biol Invasions 12:2723–2734

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Colautti RI, Lau JA (2015) Contemporary evolution during invasion: evidence for differentiation, natural selection, and local adaptation. Mol Ecol 24:1999–2017

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Colautti RI, Grigorovich IA, MacIsaac HJ (2006) Propagule pressure: a null model for biological invasions. Biol Invasions 8:1023–1037

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Corneli E, Dragoni F, Adessi A, De Philippis R, Bonari E, Ragaglini G (2016) Energy conversion of biomass crops and agroindustrial residues by combined biohydrogen/biomethane system and anaerobic digestion. Bioresour Technol 211:509–518

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cosentino SL, Copani V, D’Agosta GM, Sanzone E, Mantineo M (2006) First results on evaluation of Arundo donax L. clones collected in Southern Italy. Ind Crops Prod 23:212–222

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cousens R (2008) Risk assessment of potential biofuel species: an application for trait-based models for predicting weediness? Weed Sci 56:873–882

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Czakó M, Feng X, He Y, Liang D, Márton L (2005) Genetic modification of wetland grasses for phytoremediation. Zeitschrift für Naturforschung 60c:285

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dansereau P (1951) Description and recording of vegetation upon a structural basis. Ecology 32:172–229

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • D’Antonio CM, Vitousek PM (1992) Biological invasions by exotic grasses, the grass/fire cycle, and global change. Annu Rev Ecol Syst 23:63–87

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • de Kroon H, Kalliola R (1995) Shoot dynamics of the giant grass Gynerium sagittatum in Peruvian Amazon floodplains, a clonal plant that does show self-thinning. Oecologia 101:124–131

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dehnen-Schmutz K, Touza J, Perrings C, Williamson M (2007) A century of the ornamental plant trade and its impact on invasion success. Divers Distrib 13:527–534

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DeMalach N, Zaady E, Weiner J, Kadmon R (2016) Size asymmetry of resource competition and the structure of plant communities. J Ecol 104:899–910

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Díaz S, Cabido M (1997) Plant functional types and ecosystem function in relation to global change. J Veg Sci 8:463–474

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Domènech R, Vilà M, Gesti J, Serrasolses I (2006) Neighbourhood association of Cortaderia selloana invasion, soil properties and plant community structure in Mediterranean coastal grasslands. Acta Oecol 29:171–177

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dougherty RF (2013) Ecology and niche characterization of the invasive ornamental grass Miscanthus sinensis. Plant Pathology, Physiology, and Weed Science. Virginia Tech, Virginia Tech

  • Drewitz JJ, DiTomaso JM (2004) Seed biology of jubatagrass (Cortaderia jubata). Weed Sci 52:525–530

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dwire KA, Kauffman JB (2003) Fire and riparian ecosystems in landscapes of the western USA. For Ecol Manag 178:61–74

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ecker G, Zalapa J, Auer C (2015) Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) genotypes differ between coastal sites and inland road corridors in the Northeastern US. PLoS ONE 10:e0130414

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Edwards D (1983) A broad-scale structural classification of vegetation for practical purposes. Bothalia 14:705–712

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Farrelly D (1984) The book of bamboo: a comprehensive guide to this remarkable plant, its uses, and its history. Thames and Hudson Ltd, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Farrer EC, Goldberg DE (2009) Litter drives ecosystem and plant community changes in cattail invasion. Ecol Appl 19:398–412

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fischer T, Byerlee D, Edmeades G (2014) Crop yields and global food security: Will yield increase continue to feed the world? In: (ACIAR) TACfIAR (ed). Grains Research & Development Corporation (GRDC), Canberra, pp xxii + 634

  • Flory SL, Lorentz KA, Gordon DR, Sollenberger LE (2012) Experimental approaches for evaluating the invasion risk of biofuel crops. Environ Res Lett 7:045904

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fournier DA, Skaug HJ, Ancheta J, Ianelli J, Magnusson A, Maunder MN, Nielsen A, Sibert J (2012) AD Model Builder: using automatic differentiation for statistical inference of highly parameterized complex nonlinear models. Optim Methods Softw 27:233–249

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Foxcroft LC, Richardson DM, Wilson JRU (2008) Ornamental plants as invasive aliens: problems and solutions in Kruger National Park, South Africa. Environ Manag 41:32–51

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gaertner M, Biggs R, Te Beest M, Hui C, Molofsky J, Richardson DM (2014) Invasive plants as drivers of regime shifts: identifying high-priority invaders that alter feedback relationships. Divers Distrib 20:733–744

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gallagher RV, Randall RP, Leishman MR (2015) Trait differences between naturalized and invasive plant species independent of residence time and phylogeny. Conserv Biol 29:360–369

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Garnier E, Navas M-L (2012) A trait-based approach to comparative functional plant ecology: concepts, methods and applications for agroecology. A review. Agron Sustain Dev 32:365–399

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Garnier E, Stahl U, Laporte M-A, Kattge J, Mougenot I, Kühn I, Laporte B, Amiaud B, Ahrestani FS, Bönisch G, Bunker DE, Cornelissen JHC, Díaz S, Enquist BJ, Gachet S, Jaureguiberry P, Kleyer M, Lavorel S, Maicher L, Pérez-Harguindeguy N, Poorter H, Schildhauer M, Shipley B, Violle C, Weiher E, Wirth C, Wright IJ, Klotz S (2017) Towards a thesaurus of plant characteristics: an ecological contribution. J Ecol 105:298–309

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gordon DR, Tancig KJ, Onderdonk DA, Gantz CA (2011) Assessing the invasive potential of biofuel species proposed for Florida and the United States using the Australian Weed Risk Assessment. Biomass Bioenergy 35:74–79

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gordon-Gray KD, Ward CJ (1971) A contribution to knowledge of Phragmites (Gramineae) in South Africa, with particular reference to Natal populations. S Afr J Sci 37:1–30

    Google Scholar 

  • Grace JB (1993) The adaptive significance of clonal reproduction in angiosperms: an aquatic perspective. Aquat Bot 44:159–180

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grime JP, Hodgson JG, Hunt RJ (1988) Comparative plant ecology. A functional approach to common British species. Unwyn Hyman, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Hardion L, Verlaque R, Baumel A, Juin M, Vila B (2012) Revised systematics of Mediterranean Arundo (Poaceae) based on AFLP fingerprints and morphology. Taxon 61:1217–1226

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hartman JC, Nippert JB, Orozco RA, Springer CJ (2011) Potential ecological impacts of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) biofuel cultivation in the Central Great Plains, USA. Biomass Bioenergy 35:3415–3421

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haslam SM (2010) A book of reed: (Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steudel, formerly Phragmites communis Trin, Forrest Text, Tresaith, UK

  • Heaton EA, Dohleman FG, Long SP (2008) Meeting US biofuel goals with less land: the potential of Miscanthus. Glob Change Biol 14:2000–2014

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Herrera AM, Dudley TL (2003) Reduction of riparian arthropod abundance and diversity as a consequence of giant reed (Arundo donax) invasion. Biol Invasions 5:167–177

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Holdredge C, Bertness MD (2011) Litter legacy increases the competitive advantage of invasive Phragmites australis in New England wetlands. Biol Invasions 13:423–433

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Holmes PM, Richardson DM, Esler KJ, Witkowski ETF, Fourie S (2005) A decision-making framework for restoring riparian zones degraded by invasive alien plants in South Africa: review article. S Afr J Sci 101:553–564

    Google Scholar 

  • Isagi Y, Oda T, Fukushima K, Lian C, Yokogawa M, Kaneko S (2016) Predominance of a single clone of the most widely distributed bamboo species Phyllostachys edulis in East Asia. J Plant Res 129:21–27

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • IUCN (2009) Guidance on biofuels and Invasive species. IUCN, Gland

    Google Scholar 

  • Jaiswal RK, Mukherjee S, Raju KD, Saxena R (2002) Forest fire risk zone mapping from satellite imagery and GIS. Int J Appl Earth Obs Geoinf 4:1–10

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jakob K, Zhou F (2009) Genetic improvement of C4 grasses as cellulosic biofuel feedstocks. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol Plant 45:291–305

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jung SJ, Kim SH, Chung IM (2015) Comparison of lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose contents for biofuels utilization among 4 types of lignocellulosic crops. Biomass Bioenergy 83:322–327

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kettenring KM, McCormick MK, Baron HM, Whigham DF (2011) Mechanisms of Phragmites australis invasion: feedbacks among genetic diversity, nutrients, and sexual reproduction. J Appl Ecol 48:1305–1313

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Küchler AW (1949) A physiognomic classification of vegetation. Ann Assoc Am Geogr 39:201–210

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kueffer C, Pyšek P, Richardson DM (2013) Integrative invasion science: model systems, multi-site studies, focused meta-analysis and invasion syndromes. New Phytol 200:615–633

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lambert AM, Dudley TL, Saltonstall K (2010) Ecology and impacts of the large-statured invasive grasses Arundo donax and Phragmites australis in North America. Invasive Plant Sci Manag 3:489–494

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lambrinos JG (2000) The impact of the invasive alien grass Cortaderia jubata (Lemoine) Stapf on an endangered mediterranean type shrubland in California. Divers Distrib 6:217–231

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Larpkern P, Moe SR, Totland Ø (2011) Bamboo dominance reduces tree regeneration in a disturbed tropical forest. Oecologia 165:161–168

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lavergne S, Molofsky J (2007) Increased genetic variation and evolutionary potential drive the success of an invasive grass. Proc Natl Acad Sci 104:3883–3888

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lavorel S, McIntyre S, Landsberg J, Forbes TDA (1997) Plant functional classifications: from general groups to specific groups based on response to disturbance. Trends Ecol Evol 12:474–478

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Liese W, Köhl M (2015) Bamboo: the plant and its uses. Springer, Berlin

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Lieurance D, Cooper A, Young AL, Gordon DR, Flory SL (2018) Running bamboo species pose a greater invasion risk than clumping bamboo species in the continental United States. J Nat Conserv 43:39–45

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lima RAF, Rother DC, Muler AE, Lepsch IF, Rodrigues RR (2012) Bamboo overabundance alters forest structure and dynamics in the Atlantic Forest hotspot. Biol Conserv 147:32–39

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Linder HP, Lehmann CER, Archibald S, Osborne CP, Richardson DM (2018) Global grass (Poaceae) success underpinned by traits facilitating colonization, persistence and habitat transformation. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 93:1125–1144

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lishawa SC, Lawrence BA, Albert DA, Tuchman NC (2015) Biomass harvest of invasive Typha promotes plant diversity in a Great Lakes coastal wetland. Restor Ecol 23:228–237

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maceda-Veiga A, Basas H, Lanzaco G, Sala M, de Sostoa A, Serra A (2016) Impacts of the invader giant reed (Arundo donax) on riparian habitats and ground arthropod communities. Biol Invasions 18:731–749

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McCormick MK, Kettenring KM, Baron HM, Whigham DF (2010) Spread of invasive Phragmites australis in estuaries with differing degrees of development: genetic patterns, Allee effects and interpretation. J Ecol 98:1369–1378

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McWilliams JD (2004) Arundo donax. Fire effects information system U.S. Department of Agriculture. Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory, Missoula

    Google Scholar 

  • Meffin R (2013) Alien Brassica: variation in performance among and within species and locations. Lincoln University, Lincoln

    Google Scholar 

  • Meyerson LA (2000) Ecosystem-level effects of invasive species: a Phragmites case study in two freshwater tidal marsh ecosystems on the Connecticut River. School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, Yale University

  • Meyerson LA (2013) Evidence for multiple introductions of Phragmites australis to North America: detection of a new non-native haplotype. Biol Invasions 15:2605–2608

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meyerson LA, Chambers RM, Vogt KA (1999) The effects of Phragmites removal on nutrient pools in a freshwater tidal marsh ecosystem. Biol Invasions 1:129–136

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meyerson LA, Saltonstall K, Windham L, Kiviat E, Findlay S (2000) A comparison of Phragmites australis in freshwater and brackish marsh environments in North America. Wetl Ecol Manag 8:89–103

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Meyerson LA, Viola DV, Brown RN (2010) Hybridization of invasive Phragmites australis with a native subspecies in North America. Biol Invasions 12:103–111

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mirza N, Mahmood Q, Pervez A, Ahmad R, Farooq R, Shah MM, Azim MR (2010) Phytoremediation potential of Arundo donax in arsenic-contaminated synthetic wastewater. Bioresour Technol 101:5815–5819

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mislevy P, Fluck RC (1992) Harvesting operations and energetics of tall grasses for biomass energy production: a case study. Biomass Bioenergy 3:381–387

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Montti L, Villagra M, Campanello PI, Gatti MG, Goldstein G (2014) Functional traits enhance invasiveness of bamboos over co-occurring tree saplings in the semideciduous Atlantic Forest. Acta Oecol Int J Ecol 54:36–44

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moodley D, Geerts S, Richardson DM, Wilson JRU (2013) Different traits determine introduction, naturalization and invasion success in woody plants: proteaceae as a test case. PLoS ONE 8:e75078

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Novoa A, Le Roux JJ, Robertson MP, Wilson JRU, Richardson DM (2015) Introduced and invasive cactus species: a global review. AoB Plants 7:plu078

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • O’Connor PJ, Covich AP, Scatena FN, Loope LL (2000) Non-indigenous bamboo along headwater streams of the Luquillo Mountains, Puerto Rico: leaf fall, aquatic leaf decay and patterns of invasion. J Trop Ecol 16:499–516

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Okada M, Ahmad R, Jasieniuk M (2007) Microsatellite variation points to local landscape plantings as sources of invasive pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana) in California. Mol Ecol 16:4956–4971

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Onimaru K, Yabe K (1996) Comparisons of nutrient recovery and specific leaf area variation between Carex lasiocarpa var. occultans and Carex thunbergii var. appendiculata with reference to nutrient conditions and shading by Phragmites australis. Ecol Res 11:139–147

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Packer JG, Meyerson LA, Richardson DM, Brundu G, Allen WJ, Bhattarai GP, Brix H, Canavan S, Castiglione S, Cicatelli A, Čuda J, Cronin JT, Eller F, Guarino F, Guo W-H, Guo X, Hierro JL, Lambertini C, Liu J, Lozano V, Mozdzer TJ, Skálová H, Villarreal D, Wang R-Q, Pyšek P (2017) Global networks for invasion science: benefits, challenges and guidelines. Biol Invasions 19:1081–1096

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pagad S (2016) Bamboos and invasiveness- identifying which bamboo species pose a risk to the natural environment and what can be done to reduce this risk. INBAR Working Paper No.77. International Network for Bamboo and Rattan, Beijing, China

  • Pérez-Harguindeguy N, Díaz S, Garnier E, Lavorel S, Poorter H, Jaureguiberry P, Bret-Harte MS, Cornwell WK, Craine JM, Gurvich DE, Urcelay C, Veneklaas EJ, Reich PB, Poorter L, Wright IJ, Ray P, Enrico L, Pausas JG, de Vos AC, Buchmann N, Funes G, Quétier F, Hodgson JG, Thompson K, Morgan HD, ter Steege H, Sack L, Blonder B, Poschlod P, Vaieretti MV, Conti G, Staver AC, Aquino S, Cornelissen JHC (2016) Corrigendum to: new handbook for standardised measurement of plant functional traits worldwide. Aust J Bot 64:715–716

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pokorny ML, Sheley RL, Zabinski CA, Engel RE, Svejcar TJ, Borkowski JJ (2005) Plant functional group diversity as a mechanism for invasion resistance. Restor Ecol 13:448–459

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pyšek P, Richardson DM (2008) Traits associated with invasiveness in alien plants: Where do we stand? In: Nentwig W (ed) Biological invasions. Ecological studies (analysis and synthesis). Springer, Berlin, pp 97–125

    Google Scholar 

  • Pyšek P, Jarošík V, Hulme PE, Kühn I, Wild J, Arianoutsou M, Bacher S, Chiron F, Didžiulis V, Essl F, Genovesi P, Gherardi F, Hejda M, Kark S, Lambdon PW, Desprez-Loustau M-L, Nentwig W, Pergl J, Poboljšaj K, Rabitsch W, Roques A, Roy DB, Shirley S, Solarz W, Vilà M, Winter M (2010) Disentangling the role of environmental and human pressures on biological invasions across Europe. Proc Natl Acad Sci 107:12157–12162

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pyšek P, Jarošík V, Hulme PE, Pergl J, Hejda M, Schaffner U, Vilà M (2012) A global assessment of invasive plant impacts on resident species, communities and ecosystems: the interaction of impact measures, invading species’ traits and environment. Glob Change Biol 18:1725–1737

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pyšek P, Skálová H, Čuda J, Guo W-Y, Suda J, Doležal J, Kauzál O, Lambertini C, Lučanová M, Mandáková T, Moravcová L, Pyšková K, Brix H, Meyerson LA (2018) Small genome separates native and invasive populations in an ecologically important cosmopolitan grass. Ecology 99:79–90

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Quinn LD, Allen DJ, Stewart JR (2010) Invasiveness potential of Miscanthus sinensis: implications for bioenergy production in the United States. GCB Bioenergy 2:310–320

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Razanajatovo M, Maurel N, Dawson W, Essl F, Kreft H, Pergl J, Pyšek P, Weigelt P, Winter M, van Kleunen M (2016) Plants capable of selfing are more likely to become naturalized. Nat Commun 7:13313

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Richardson DM, Blanchard R (2011) Learning from our mistakes: minimizing problems with invasive biofuel plants. Curr Opin Environ Sustain 3:36–42

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Richardson DM, Holmes PM, Esler KJ, Galatowitsch SM, Stromberg JC, Kirkman SP, Pyšek P, Hobbs RJ (2007a) Riparian vegetation: degradation, alien plant invasions, and restoration prospects. Divers Distrib 13:126–139

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Richardson DM, Rundel PW, Jackson ST, Teskey RO, Aronson J, Bytnerowicz A, Wingfield MJ, Proches S (2007b) Human impacts in pine forests: past, present, and future. Annu Rev Ecol Evol Syst 38:275–297

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rieger JP, Kreager DA (1989) Giant reed (Arundo donax): a climax community of the riparian zone. Protection, management, and restoration for the 1990’s. In: Proceedings of the California riparian systems conference. US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Forest and Range Experiment Station, Berkeley, California, pp 222–225

  • Rohani S, Dullo B, Woudwijk W, de Hoop P, Kooijman A, Grootjans AP (2014) Accumulation rates of soil organic matter in wet dune slacks on the Dutch Wadden Sea islands. Plant Soil 380:181–191

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rossiter NA, Setterfield SA, Douglas M, Hutley LB (2003) Testing the grass-fire cycle: alien grass invasion in the tropical savannas of northern Australia. Divers Distrib 9:169–176

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rossiter-Rachor NA, Setterfield SA, Douglas MM, Hutley LB, Cook GD, Schmidt S (2009) Invasive (gamba grass) is an ecosystem transformer of nitrogen relations in Australian savanna. Ecol Appl 19(6):1546–1560

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rother DC, Rodrigues RR, Pizo MA (2016) Bamboo thickets alter the demographic structure of Euterpe edulis population: a keystone, threatened palm species of the Atlantic forest. Acta Oecol 70:96–102

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saltonstall K (2002) Cryptic invasion by a non-native genotype of the common reed, Phragmites australis, into North America. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 99:2445–2449

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Saltonstall K, Lambert A, Meyerson LA (2010) Genetics and reproduction of common (Phragmites australis) and giant reed (Arundo donax). Invasive Plant Sci Manag 3:495–505

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schnitzler A, Essl F (2015) From horticulture and biofuel to invasion: the spread of Miscanthus taxa in the USA and Europe. Weed Res 55:221–225

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Scurlock JMO, Dayton DC, Hames B (2000) Bamboo: an overlooked biomass resource? Biomass Bioenergy 19:229–244

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • SFAPRC (2006) Statistics of forest resources in China (1999–2003). State Forestry Administration, China. http://www.forestry.gov.cn/portal/main/s/65/content-90.html (In Chinese)

  • Sheley RL, James J (2010) Resistance of native plant functional groups to invasion by medusahead (Taeniatherum caput-medusae). Invasive Plant Sci Manag 3:294–300

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Singh AN, Singh JS (1999) Biomass, net primary production and impact of bamboo plantation on soil redevelopment in a dry tropical region. For Ecol Manag 119:195–207

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith MD, van Wilgen BW, Burns CE, Govender N, Potgieter ALF, Andelman S, Biggs HC, Botha J, Trollope WSW (2013) Long-term effects of fire frequency and season on herbaceous vegetation in savannas of the Kruger National Park, South Africa. J Plant Ecol 6:71–83

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith LL, Tekiela DR, Barney JN (2015) Predicting biofuel invasiveness: a relative comparison to crops and weeds. Invasive Plant Sci Manag 8:323–333

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Soderstrom TR, Calderon CE (1979) A commentary on the bamboos (Poaceae: Bambusoideae). Biotropica 11:161–172

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Soltis PS, Soltis DE (2000) The role of genetic and genomic attributes in the success of polyploids. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 97:7051–7057

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Song Q-n LuH, Liu J, Yang J, G-y Yang, Q-p Yang (2017) Accessing the impacts of bamboo expansion on NPP and N cycling in evergreen broadleaved forest in subtropical China. Sci Rep 7:40383

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Soreng RJ, Peterson PM, Romaschenko K, Davidse G, Zuloaga FO, Judziewicz EJ, Filgueiras TS, Davis JI, Morrone O (2015) A worldwide phylogenetic classification of the Poaceae (Gramineae). J Syst Evol 53(2):117–137

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stueffer JF, De Kroon H, During HJ (1996) Exploitation of environmental hetergeneity by spatial division of labor in a clonal plant. Funct Ecol 10:328–334

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Suzaki T, Nakatsubo T (2001) Impact of the bamboo Phyllostachys bambusoides on the light environment and plant communities on riverbanks. J For Res 6:81–86

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tang Y, Washitani I, Tsuchiya T, Iwaki H (1990) Growth analysis of Quercus serrata seedlings within Miscanthus sinensis grass canopies differing in light availability. Ecol Res 5:367–376

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Teixeira JS, Oatham MP (2001) An investigation into the effect of bamboo on the surrounding vegetation in the arena forest reserve. The living world. J Trinidad Tobago Field Nat Club 13–20

  • Thompson K, Hodgson JG, Tim CGR (1995) Native and alien invasive plants: more of the same? Ecography 18:390–402

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thomson FJ, Moles AT, Auld TD, Kingsford RT (2011) Seed dispersal distance is more strongly correlated with plant height than with seed mass. J Ecol 99:1299–1307

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tilman D (1982) Resource competition and community structure. Princeton University Press, Princeton

    Google Scholar 

  • Tilman D, Knops J, Wedin D, Reich P, Ritchie M, Siemann E (1997) The influence of functional diversity and composition on ecosystem processes. Science 277:1300–1302

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Van Doninck K, Schon I, De Bruyn L, Martens K (2002) A general purpose genotype in an ancient asexual. Oecologia 132:205–212

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • van Kleunen M, Stuefer JF (1999) Quantifying the effects of reciprocal assimilate and water translocation in a clonal plant by the use of steam-girdling. Oikos 85:135–145

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • van Kleunen M, Johnson SD, Fischer M (2007) Predicting naturalization of southern African Iridaceae in other regions. J Appl Ecol 44:594–603

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • van Kleunen M, Dawson W, Essl F, Pergl J, Winter M, Weber E, Kreft H, Weigelt P, Kartesz J, Nishino M, Antonova LA, Barcelona JF, Cabezas FJ, Cardenas D, Cardenas-Toro J, Castano N, Chacon E, Chatelain C, Ebel AL, Figueiredo E, Fuentes N, Groom QJ, Henderson L, Inderjit Kupriyanov A, Masciadri S, Meerman J, Morozova O, Moser D, Nickrent DL, Patzelt A, Pelser PB, Baptiste MP, Poopath M, Schulze M, Seebens H, Shu WS, Thomas J, Velayos M, Wieringa JJ, Pysek P (2015) Global exchange and accumulation of non-native plants. Nature 525:100–103

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • van Kleunen M, Essl F, Perg J, Brundu G, Carboni M, Dullinger S, Early R, González-Moreno P, Groom QJ, Hulme PE, Kueffer C, Kühn I, Máguas C, Maurel N, Novoa A, Parepa M, Pyšek P, Seebens H, Tanner R, Touza J, Verbrugge L, Weber E, Dawson W, Kreft H, Weigelt P, Winter M, Klonner G, Talluto MV, Dehnen-Schmutz K (2018) The changing role of ornamental horticulture in alien plant invasions. Biol Rev 93(3):1421–1437

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vilà M, Pujadas J (2001) Land-use and socio-economic correlates of plant invasions in European and North African countries. Biol Conserv 100:397–401

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Visser V, Wilson JRU, Fish L, Brown C, Cook GD, Richardson DM (2016) Much more give than take: South Africa as a major donor but infrequent recipient of invasive non-native grasses. Global Ecol Biogeogr 25:679–692

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vorontsova MS, Clark LG, Dransfield J, Govaerts R, Baker WJ (2016) World checklist of bamboos and rattans. INBAR Technical Report No. 37. International Network of Bamboo & Rattan, Beijing, China

  • Wang J, Ge Y, Zhang CB, Bai Y, Du ZK (2013) Dominant functional group effects on the invasion resistance at different resource levels. PLoS ONE 8:e77220

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Wang Y, Bai S, Binkley D, Zhou G, Fang F (2016) The independence of clonal shoot’s growth from light availability supports moso bamboo invasion of closed-canopy forest. For Ecol Manag 368:105–110

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang Y-J, Müller-Schärer H, van Kleunen M, Cai A-M, Zhang P, Yan R, Dong B-C, Yu F-H (2017) Invasive alien plants benefit more from clonal integration in heterogeneous environments than natives. New Phytol 216:1072–1078

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Welker JM, Briske DD (1992) Clonal biology of the temperate, caespitose, Graminoid Schizachyrium scoparium: a synthesis with reference to climate change. Oikos 63:357–365

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Westoby M, Falster DS, Moles AT, Vesk PA, Wright IJ (2002) Plant ecological strategies: some leading dimensions of variation between species. Annu Rev Ecol Syst 33:125–159

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xu Q-F, Jiang P-K, Wu J-S, Zhou G-M, Shen R-F, Fuhrmann JJ (2014) Bamboo invasion of native broadleaf forest modified soil microbial communities and diversity. Biol Invasions 17:433–444

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Young SL, Barney JN, Kyser GB, Jones TS, DiTomaso JM (2009) Functionally similar species confer greater resistance to invasion: implications for grassland restoration. Restor Ecol 17:884–892

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We thank the University of Sassari, Italy, for hosting the PhragNet 2016 planning meeting and creating the space that facilitated this manuscript. SC, DMR and JRUW acknowledge support from the DST-NRF Centre of Excellence for Invasion Biology and the National Research Foundation of South Africa (Grant 85417 to DMR). SC and JRUW acknowledge support from the South African National Department of Environment Affairs through its funding of the South African National Biodiversity Institute Invasive Species Programme. PP, JP, JČ, WYG and HS were supported by long-term research development Project RVO 67985939 (The Czech Academy of Sciences), Projects No. 14-36079G, Centre of Excellence PLADIAS and No. 14-15414S (Czech Science Foundation) and PP acknowledges support by Praemium Academiae award from The Czech Academy of Sciences. MvK and MW acknowledge support from the German Research Foundation (DFG, MvK: 264740629; MW: FZT 118), and FE was supported by the Austrian Science Foundation (FWF, Grant I2086-B16). JGP acknowledges support from the Faculty of Sciences and Environment Institute (Travel Grant 13116630) of The University of Adelaide.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Invasion Biology, Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Matieland, 7602, South Africa

    Susan Canavan, David M. Richardson & John R. U. Wilson

  2. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Kirstenbosch Research Centre, Private Bag X7, Claremont, 7735, South Africa

    Susan Canavan & John R. U. Wilson

  3. Department of Natural Resources Science, The University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, 02881, USA

    Laura A. Meyerson

  4. Environment Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia

    Jasmin G. Packer

  5. Department of Invasion Ecology, Institute of Botany, The Czech Academy of Sciences, 252 43, Průhonice, Czech Republic

    Petr Pyšek, Jan Čuda, Wen-Yong Guo, Jan Pergl & Hana Skálová

  6. Department of Ecology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, 128 44, Prague, Czech Republic

    Petr Pyšek & Jan Čuda

  7. Ecology, Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstrasse 10, 78467, Constance, Germany

    Noëlie Maurel & Mark van Kleunen

  8. Department of Agriculture, University of Sassari, Viale Italia 39, 07100, Sassari, Italy

    Vanessa Lozano & Giuseppe Brundu

  9. Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, PO Box 94, Grahamstown, South Africa

    Kim Canavan

  10. Department of Chemistry and Biology ‘‘A. Zambelli’’, University of Salerno, 84084, Fisciano, SA, Italy

    Angela Cicatelli & Francesco Guarino

  11. Department of Biosciences, Durham University, South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK

    Wayne Dawson

  12. Division of Conservation, Vegetation and Landscape Ecology, University of Vienna, Rennweg 14, 1030, Vienna, Austria

    Franz Essl

  13. Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation, Taizhou University, Taizhou, 318000, China

    Mark van Kleunen

  14. Biodiversity, Macroecology and Biogeography, University of Göttingen, 37077, Göttingen, Germany

    Holger Kreft & Patrick Weigelt

  15. Centre of Biodiversity and Sustainable Land Use (CBL), University of Göttingen, 37077, Göttingen, Germany

    Holger Kreft

  16. Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Ole Worms Allé 1, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark

    Carla Lambertini

  17. Department of Botany, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, USA

    Robert J. Soreng

  18. Department of Statistical Sciences, Statistics in Ecology, Environment and Conservation, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, 7701, South Africa

    Vernon Visser

  19. African Climate and Development Initiative, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, Rondebosch, 7701, South Africa

    Vernon Visser

  20. Comparative Plant and Fungal Biology, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AE, UK

    Maria S. Vorontsova

  21. German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103, Leipzig, Germany

    Marten Winter

  22. Leipzig University, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04109, Leipzig, Germany

    Marten Winter

Authors
  1. Susan Canavan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Laura A. Meyerson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jasmin G. Packer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Petr Pyšek
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Noëlie Maurel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Vanessa Lozano
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. David M. Richardson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Giuseppe Brundu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Kim Canavan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  10. Angela Cicatelli
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  11. Jan Čuda
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  12. Wayne Dawson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  13. Franz Essl
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  14. Francesco Guarino
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  15. Wen-Yong Guo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  16. Mark van Kleunen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  17. Holger Kreft
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  18. Carla Lambertini
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  19. Jan Pergl
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  20. Hana Skálová
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  21. Robert J. Soreng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  22. Vernon Visser
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  23. Maria S. Vorontsova
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  24. Patrick Weigelt
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  25. Marten Winter
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  26. John R. U. Wilson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Susan Canavan.

Electronic supplementary material

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary material 1 (DOCX 49 kb)

Supplementary material 2 (XLS 101 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Canavan, S., Meyerson, L.A., Packer, J.G. et al. Tall-statured grasses: a useful functional group for invasion science. Biol Invasions 21, 37–58 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-018-1815-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-018-1815-z

Keywords

  • Arundo
  • Bamboos
  • Biological invasions
  • Height
  • Invasive species
  • Miscanthus
  • Phragmites
  • Plant functional groups
  • Poaceae
  • Risk assessment