Ecological Linkages Between Aboveground and Belowground Biota

Science, Journal Year: 2004, Volume and Issue: 304(5677), P. 1629 - 1633

Published: June 10, 2004

All terrestrial ecosystems consist of aboveground and belowground components that interact to influence community- ecosystem-level processes properties. Here we show how these are closely interlinked at the community level, reinforced by a greater degree specificity between plants soil organisms than has been previously supposed. As such, communities can be powerful mutual drivers, with both positive negative feedbacks. A combined aboveground-belowground approach ecosystem ecology is enhancing our understanding regulation functional significance biodiversity environmental impacts human-induced global change phenomena.

Language: Английский

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Impacts of biological invasions: what's what and the way forward

Trends in Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2012, Volume and Issue: 28(1), P. 58 - 66

Published: Aug. 10, 2012

Language: Английский

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Ecological impacts of invasive alien plants: a meta-analysis of their effects on species, communities and ecosystems

Ecology Letters, Journal Year: 2011, Volume and Issue: 14(7), P. 702 - 708

Published: May 19, 2011

Biological invasions cause ecological and economic impacts across the globe. However, it is unclear whether there are strong patterns in terms of their major effects, how vulnerability different ecosystems varies which ecosystem services at greatest risk. We present a global meta-analysis 199 articles reporting 1041 field studies that total describe 135 alien plant taxa on resident species, communities ecosystems. Across studies, plants had significant effect 11 24 types impact assessed. The magnitude direction varied both within between impact. On average, abundance diversity species decreased invaded sites, whereas primary production several processes were enhanced. While N-fixing greater N-cycling variables, they did not consistently affect other types. was significantly island mainland Overall, heterogeneous unidirectional even particular Our analysis also reveals by time changes nutrient cycling detected, likely to have already occurred.

Language: Английский

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Global assessment of nitrogen deposition effects on terrestrial plant diversity: a synthesis

Ecological Applications, Journal Year: 2010, Volume and Issue: 20(1), P. 30 - 59

Published: Jan. 1, 2010

Atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition is a recognized threat to plant diversity in temperate and northern parts of Europe North America. This paper assesses evidence from field experiments for N effects thresholds terrestrial protection across latitudinal range main categories ecosystems, arctic boreal systems tropical forests. Current thinking on the mechanisms diversity, global distribution G200 ecoregions, current future (2030) estimates atmospheric N-deposition rates are then used identify risks all major ecosystem types now future. synthesis clearly shows that accumulation driver changes species composition whole different by driving competitive interactions lead change and/or making conditions unfavorable some species. Other such as direct toxicity gases aerosols, long-term negative increased ammonium ammonia availability, soil-mediated acidification, secondary stress disturbance more ecosystem- site-specific often play supporting role. mediterranean ecosystems have been identified, leading first estimate an effect threshold. Importantly, thought not limited, subtropical systems, may be vulnerable regeneration phase, situations where heterogeneity availability reduced deposition, sandy soils, or montane areas. Critical loads critical load concept has helped European governments make progress toward reducing sensitive ecosystems. More needs done America, especially types, including several high conservation importance. The results this assessment show regions outside America which received enough attention ecoregions eastern southern Asia (China, India), important part ecoregion (California, Europe), coming decades Latin Africa. Reductions widespread than thought, targeted studies required low background areas, ecoregions.

Language: Английский

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Novel weapons: invasive success and the evolution of increased competitive ability

Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, Journal Year: 2004, Volume and Issue: 2(8), P. 436 - 443

Published: Oct. 1, 2004

When introduced to new habitats by humans, some plant species become much more dominant. This is primarily attributed escape from specialist consumers. Release these enemies also thought lead the evolution of increased competitive ability, driven a decrease in plant's resource allocation consumer defense and an increase size or fecundity. Here, we discuss theory for invasive success – “novel weapons hypothesis”. We propose that invaders transform because they possess novel biochemical function as unusually powerful allelopathic agents, mediators plant–soil microbial interactions. Root exudates are relatively ineffective against their natural neighbors adaptation, may be highly inhibitory newly encountered plants invaded communities. In other words, provide them with advantage arise differences regional coevolutionary trajectories Furthermore, selective possessing weapon result rapid example, production greater quantities antimicrobial root exudates. Direct selection traits provides alternative “grow versus defend” trade-offs underpin ability.

Language: Английский

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A global assessment of invasive plant impacts on resident species, communities and ecosystems: the interaction of impact measures, invading species' traits and environment

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2011, Volume and Issue: 18(5), P. 1725 - 1737

Published: Dec. 30, 2011

Abstract With the growing body of literature assessing impact invasive alien plants on resident species and ecosystems, a comprehensive assessment relationship between traits environmental settings invasion characteristics impacts is needed. Based 287 publications with 1551 individual cases that addressed 167 plant belonging to 49 families, we present first global overview frequencies significant non‐significant ecological their directions 15 outcomes related responses populations, species, communities ecosystems. Species community tend decline following invasions, especially those for plants, but abundance richness soil biota, as well concentrations nutrients water, more often increase than decrease invasion. Data mining tools revealed exert consistent some (survival activity animals, productivity, mineral nutrient content in tissues, fire frequency intensity), whereas at level, such richness, diversity resources, significance determined by interactions biome invaded. The latter are most likely be impacted annual grasses, wind pollinated trees invading mediterranean or tropical biomes. One clearest signals this analysis far cause animal islands rather mainland. This study shows there no universal measure pattern observed depends examined. Although strongly context dependent, traits, life form, stature pollination syndrome, may provide means predict impact, regardless particular habitat geographical region

Language: Английский

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Ecosystem Consequences of Biological Invasions

Annual Review of Ecology Evolution and Systematics, Journal Year: 2010, Volume and Issue: 41(1), P. 59 - 80

Published: Nov. 2, 2010

Exotic species affect the biogeochemical pools and fluxes of materials energy, thereby altering fundamental structure function their ecosystems. Rapidly accumulating evidence from many both animal plant invaders suggests that invasive often increase pool sizes, particularly biomass, promote accelerated flux rates, but exceptions can be found. Ecosystem dynamics are altered through a variety interacting, mutually reinforcing mechanistic pathways, including species' resource acquisition traits; population densities; ability to engineer changes physical environmental conditions; effects on disturbance, especially fire; regimes; habitat for other species; impact food webs. Local factors landscape setting, history, sources disturbance constrain ecosystem responses invasions. New research directions suggested, need whole-system budgets, quantification abundance-impact relationships particular processes, better exploration web impacts processes.

Language: Английский

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The Ecological Significance of the Herbaceous Layer in Temperate Forest Ecosystems

BioScience, Journal Year: 2007, Volume and Issue: 57(10), P. 845 - 858

Published: Nov. 1, 2007

Despite a growing awareness that the herbaceous layer serves special role in maintaining structure and function of forests, this stratum remains an underappreciated aspect forest ecosystems. In article I review synthesize information concerning herb layer's structure, composition, dynamics to emphasize its as integral component Because species diversity is highest among all strata, biodiversity largely herb-layer community. Competitive interactions within can determine initial success plants occupying higher including regeneration dominant overstory tree species. Furthermore, become linked through parallel responses similar environmental gradients. These relationships between strata vary both spatially temporally. responds sensitively disturbance across broad spatial temporal scales, provide important regarding site characteristics patterns past land-use practices. Thus, has significance belies diminutive stature.

Language: Английский

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Urban ecological systems: Scientific foundations and a decade of progress

Journal of Environmental Management, Journal Year: 2010, Volume and Issue: 92(3), P. 331 - 362

Published: Oct. 21, 2010

Language: Английский

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How well do we understand the impacts of alien species on ecosystem services? A pan‐European, cross‐taxa assessment

Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, Journal Year: 2009, Volume and Issue: 8(3), P. 135 - 144

Published: April 20, 2009

Recent comprehensive data provided through the DAISIE project ( www.europe‐aliens.org ) have facilitated development of first pan‐European assessment impacts alien plants, vertebrates, and invertebrates – in terrestrial, freshwater, marine environments on ecosystem services. There are 1094 species with documented ecological 1347 economic impacts. The two taxonomic groups most causing terrestrial plants. North Sea is maritime region that suffers Across taxa regions, highly correlated. Terrestrial create greater than impacts, while reverse true for Alien from all affect “supporting”, “provisioning”, “regulating”, “cultural” services interfere human well‐being. vertebrates responsible greatest range these widely distributed across Europe. Here, we present a review financial costs, as step toward calculating an estimate consequences

Language: Английский

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