Publicações
Acacia longifolia invasion impacts vegetation structure and regeneration dynamics in open dunes and pine forests
Rascher, Katherine G., André Große-Stoltenberg, Cristina Máguas, João Augusto Alves Meira-Neto, Christiane Werner. 2011. Acacia longifolia invasion impacts vegetation structure and regeneration dynamics in open dunes and pine forests. Biological Invasions, Volume 13, Issue 5, pp 1099-1113
Autores
Joao Augusto Alves Meira Neto
Acacia spp. are among the most serious
plant invaders worldwide, and Acacia longifolia specifically
causes problems in Portugal. In this study, we
evaluated the impacts of A. longifolia invasion on
community structure, light climate, plant diversity and
regeneration in pine forests and open stabilized dunes
in northern and southern Portugal. Having the growth
form of a small tree or shrub, between 1 and 8 m tall,
A. longifolia tended to dominate the middle stratum of
forests and to share dominance in the upper stratum of
open dunes. The presence of A. longifolia was associated
with a decreased canopy cover in the lower
stratum of all studied habitats, and at some sites with a
significantly increased leaf area index and reduced
light intensity in the understory. Species number and
diversity were reduced in some habitats by up to 50%
in invaded compared to non-invaded areas. Furthermore,
in forest habitats, A. longifolia seedlings were
facilitated by proximity to an adult A. longifolia while
the establishment and growth of native seedlings was
negatively impacted. The replacement of drought
tolerant native species by the water spending invader,
A. longifolia, may have serious implications for
ecosystem functioning, especially during the prolonged
drought periods predicted to occur in Portugal
in the future.