Invasion ecology of Alternanthera philoxeroides, Cyperus blepharoleptos, Panicum repens, and Triadica sebifera

Résumé fourni par la source

Several invasion ecology hypotheses explain patterns of invasion, but these effects are often complex and multifaceted. Within the study of aquatic invasive species, small aquatic ecosystems are often neglected, despite them representing most global freshwater bodies. This study uses community composition and environmental and geographic factors to explain the occurrence of invasive species in small lakes in the southeastern United States. Specifically, this study predicted that several ecosystem factors would predict the probability of occurrence of invasive species of the lakes studied. Four of the most common invasive species were selected as the focus of this study: Alternanthera philoxeroides, Cyperus blepharoleptos, Panicum repens, and Triadica sebifera. The aquatic plant communities of the lakes were surveyed using littoral zone point sampling. Generalized linear models for each species were fit with probability of occurrence (Pocc) as the response variable and Secchi depth, plant species diversity (α-diversity), point richness, loge(perimeter), latitude, and longitude as potential predictors; all predictors were subjected to model selection to define the best-fit models. Plant species diversity was positively correlated with Pocc of A. philoxeroides, P. repens, and T. sebifera. Latitude was negatively correlated with Pocc of P. repens, and T. sebifera. Loge(perimeter) was negatively correlated with Pocc of A. philoxeroides. Secchi depth was negatively correlated with the Pocc of C. blepharoleptos. Although plant species diversity and latitude were most commonly predictive, Pocc was usually explained by multiple predictors, suggesting, as have previous studies, that these relationships are explained with multiple environmental factors.

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