外来植物火炬树水浸液对土壤微生态系统的化感作用

引种自北美的外来植物火炬树(Rhus typhina L.)是中国北方主要造林树种之一.然而,近年来分布区的不断扩大暗示着该树种的潜在入侵性.以火炬树为对象,研究火炬树不同浓度(0、0.005、0.025、0.1g/mL)的鲜枝叶水浸液对土壤微生物群落结构、酶活性、土壤养分含量及土壤矿化的影响.研究结果表明:随着水浸液浓度的提高,火炬树增加了细菌和真菌的数量;火炬树对所测土壤酶活性产生了不同程度的影响,脲酶和磷酸酶均有随着水浸液浓度的提高而增大的趋势,而蔗糖酶活性受影响不明显;随水浸液浓度升高,火炬树显著提高了土壤全碳、全钾、速效氮、有效磷、速效钾的含量,对土壤含水量、pH值、全氮与全磷没有显著影响;同时,火炬树通过促进微生物的矿化速率,提高了土壤无机氮的供给.以上结果表明,火炬树可以改变土壤的微生物组成和土壤酶活性并影响土壤相关营养元素循环,从而为自身的入侵创造有利条件.本研究揭示外来植物火炬树水浸液对土壤微生态系统的影响,从化感间接作用角度为火炬树的潜在入侵性提供进一步的数据支持.     

紫茎泽兰(Ageratina adenophora)入侵对土壤微生物群落和理化性质的影响

外来入侵植物与入侵地土壤微生物群落的互作关系是影响外来植物入侵力和生态系统可入侵性的一个重要领域。因此,研究外来植物入侵对入侵地土壤微生物群落及其理化性质的影响不仅可以全面地评估入侵植物对生态系统的影响,而且对于探索外来植物入侵的土壤微生物学机制尤为重要。采用磷脂脂肪酸(PLFAs)和传统培养相结合的方法研究了外来入侵植物紫茎泽兰对入侵地土壤微生物群落结构的影响;同时研究了紫茎泽兰入侵对11种土壤理化因子的影响。结果表明紫茎泽兰入侵改变了土壤微生物群落结构,提高了土壤自生固氮菌、氨氧化细菌和真菌的数量;同时,显著地提高了土壤的有效磷、速效钾、硝态氮、氨态氮和土壤有机碳含量,降低了土壤总钾含量和pH值。土壤微生物不同生理类群的变化与土壤中植物可直接吸收利用养分的变化显著相关。紫茎泽兰在入侵地成功定殖后,可能通过改变土壤微生物群落结构,特别是增加了与土壤养分循环相关的微生物功能类群数量,进而提高了土壤可利用的养分水平,创造对自身生长有利的土壤环境。紫茎泽兰改变土壤微生物群落是其入侵的一部分,这种改变进而加速了土壤养分循环,可能增强了紫茎泽兰的养分吸收,进而促进其生长、竞争和扩张。     

外来植物入侵对土壤氮有效性的影响北大核心CSCD

外来植物入侵对土壤氮循环和氮有效性的影响是入侵成功或进一步加剧的重要原因。通过对比相同研究地点入侵区域和无入侵区域的土壤原位氮状态差异,探讨了外来植物入侵对土壤氮有效性的影响程度和生理生态学机制。基于107篇相关研究文献数据的整合,发现植物入侵区域相对于无入侵区域土壤总氮、铵态氮、硝态氮、无机氮、微生物生物量氮含量显著增加,增幅分别为(50±14)%、(60±24)%、(470±115)%、(69±25)%、(54±20)%。土壤硝态氮含量增幅较大反映硝化作用增强,这可能增加入侵植物硝态氮利用以及喜硝植物的共存。温带地区植物入侵后土壤的硝态氮含量增幅显著高于亚热带地区。固氮植物入侵后土壤的总氮和无机氮含量增幅均显著高于非固氮植物入侵。木本和常绿植物入侵后土壤的总氮含量增幅分别高于草本和落叶植物入侵;而土壤铵态氮含量的增幅没有显著差异且与固氮入侵植物占比无明显关系;然而硝态氮含量的增幅普遍较高且与固氮入侵植物占比显著正相关。外来入侵植物固氮功能以及凋落物质量和数量是影响土壤氮矿化和硝化过程的关键因素。该研究为理解外来植物入侵成功和加剧的机制以及入侵植物功能性状与土壤氮动态之间的关系提供了新的见解。     

外来植物入侵对土壤氮有效性的影响

外来植物入侵对土壤氮循环和氮有效性的影响是入侵成功或进一步加剧的重要原因。通过对比相同研究地点入侵区域和无入侵区域的土壤原位氮状态差异, 探讨了外来植物入侵对土壤氮有效性的影响程度和生理生态学机制。基于107篇相关研究文献数据的整合, 发现植物入侵区域相对于无入侵区域土壤总氮、铵态氮、硝态氮、无机氮、微生物生物量氮含量显著增加, 增幅分别为(50 ± 14)%、(60 ± 24)%、(470 ± 115)%、(69 ± 25)%、(54 ± 20)%。土壤硝态氮含量增幅较大反映硝化作用增强, 这可能增加入侵植物硝态氮利用以及喜硝植物的共存。温带地区植物入侵后土壤的硝态氮含量增幅显著高于亚热带地区。固氮植物入侵后土壤的总氮和无机氮含量增幅均显著高于非固氮植物入侵。木本和常绿植物入侵后土壤的总氮含量增幅分别高于草本和落叶植物入侵; 而土壤铵态氮含量的增幅没有显著差异且与固氮入侵植物占比无明显关系; 然而硝态氮含量的增幅普遍较高且与固氮入侵植物占比显著正相关。外来入侵植物固氮功能以及凋落物质量和数量是影响土壤氮矿化和硝化过程的关键因素。该研究为理解外来植物入侵成功和加剧的机制以及入侵植物功能性状与土壤氮动态之间的关系提供了新的见解。     

Effects of exotic plant invasion on soil nitrogen availability

外来植物入侵对土壤氮循环和氮有效性的影响是入侵成功或进一步加剧的重要原因。通过对比相同研究地点入侵区域和无入侵区域的土壤原位氮状态差异, 探讨了外来植物入侵对土壤氮有效性的影响程度和生理生态学机制。基于107篇相关研究文献数据的整合, 发现植物入侵区域相对于无入侵区域土壤总氮、铵态氮、硝态氮、无机氮、微生物生物量氮含量显著增加, 增幅分别为(50 ± 14)%、(60 ± 24)%、(470 ± 115)%、(69 ± 25)%、(54 ± 20)%。土壤硝态氮含量增幅较大反映硝化作用增强, 这可能增加入侵植物硝态氮利用以及喜硝植物的共存。温带地区植物入侵后土壤的硝态氮含量增幅显著高于亚热带地区。固氮植物入侵后土壤的总氮和无机氮含量增幅均显著高于非固氮植物入侵。木本和常绿植物入侵后土壤的总氮含量增幅分别高于草本和落叶植物入侵; 而土壤铵态氮含量的增幅没有显著差异且与固氮入侵植物占比无明显关系; 然而硝态氮含量的增幅普遍较高且与固氮入侵植物占比显著正相关。外来入侵植物固氮功能以及凋落物质量和数量是影响土壤氮矿化和硝化过程的关键因素。该研究为理解外来植物入侵成功和加剧的机制以及入侵植物功能性状与土壤氮动态之间的关系提供了新的见解。     

黄顶菊入侵对土壤养分和酶活性的影响

比较了外来植物黄顶菊不同入侵程度土壤养分和土壤酶活性变化规律,探讨了外来植物入侵对土壤生态的影响机制。结果表明,与裸土和本地植物土壤相比,黄顶菊入侵显著提高了有机质、全氮、硝态氮和铵态氮的含量,而全磷和速效磷的含量有所下降,且随着入侵程度增强趋势更为明显。重度入侵土壤有机质较本地植物土壤提高5.7%,全氮提高23.4%;而重度入侵土壤全磷含量只有本地植物的85%,土壤速效磷含量则下降了50%。黄顶菊重度入侵土壤和轻度入侵土壤脲酶含量分别为0.04和0.03mg.g-1.24h-1,均显著高于裸土和本地植物土壤,土壤磷酸酶活性变化规律与之类似,而多酚氧化酶无明显的变化。黄顶菊入侵可以改变土壤养分和土壤酶活性,创造对自身生长有利的土壤环境,并借此增强其竞争能力,实现种群的进一步扩张。     

三叶鬼针草与不同本地植物竞争对土壤 微生物和土壤养分的影响

入侵植物三叶鬼针草(Bidens pilosa)对我国农牧业生产造成了重大的损失。本文主要研究三叶鬼针草入侵与不同本地植物竞争对土壤微生物群落结构和土壤养分的影响。利用磷脂脂肪酸方法(phospholipid fatty acids, PLFAs)测定土壤微生物群落组成, 同时测定土壤养分和酶活性, 并利用Canoco4.5软件分析了土壤微生物、土壤养分和土壤酶活性的相关性。结果表明: (1)三叶鬼针草对革兰氏阳性菌、革兰氏阴性菌、丛枝菌根真菌等土壤微生物具有较强的聚集能力, 且其根际土壤聚集的微生物类群与本地植物种类密切相关。(2)三叶鬼针草入侵显著增加了入侵地土壤的有机碳含量, 降低了铵态氮的含量; 土壤中的速效钾、速效磷和硝态氮的含量则与本地植物种类密切相关。(3)相关性分析表明, 16:00和16:1 ω5c对铵态氮的含量影响较大, 而三叶鬼针草入侵地16:00和16:1 ω5c的含量显著高于裸土对照, 进而推测这一状况导致了铵态氮含量的降低。(4) 15:1 anteiso A和18:1 ω5c与速效钾的含量呈显著正相关, 而其含量在狗尾草(Setaria viridis)中显著高于其他处理, 三叶鬼针草与狗尾草混种处理中土壤中速效钾的含量高于其他处理。以上结果说明, 三叶鬼针草通过改变土壤微生物群落结构影响了土壤酶活性和土壤养分, 且这种改变与入侵地本地植物种类有关。     

毛竹扩张对常绿阔叶林土壤微生物群落的影响

毛竹具有独特的生理生态学特征,会不断地向邻近的生态系统扩张。这一现象会造成生态系统退化、土壤理化性质和微生物群落结构改变等问题,引起了人们的高度关注。然而,目前关于毛竹扩张对微生物群落结构的影响研究甚少。以安吉灵峰寺林场的长期定位试验为平台,在4条毛竹扩张样带上依次设置常绿阔叶林(BLF)、竹-阔混交林(MEF)和毛竹林(PEF)样地,测定不同林型的土壤理化性质以及微生物群落特征。结果表明: 随着毛竹的扩张,土壤pH值显著上升,毛竹林土壤pH值分别比竹-阔混交林和常绿阔叶林高0.37和0.32,而有机碳、铵态氮、硝态氮含量显著降低;除丛枝菌根真菌外,其他主要微生物类群都有下降的趋势,且微生物多样性和丰富度显著降低。毛竹扩张对土壤碳输入及养分的改变是影响地下微生物群落生物量及结构的重要因素,其中土壤有机碳、铵态氮含量是影响土壤微生物群落变化的主要因子。     

桉树与豆科植物混交种植对土壤速效养分的影响

比较了桉树纯林、厚荚相思纯林以及两者的行混交林与株混交林的土壤速效养分特征。结果表明,豆科纯林及行混交林的土壤硝态氮含量显著高于桉林,铵态氮的格局也相似,因而,桉树与豆科植物混交种植可以明显改善土壤氮素营养。土壤速效磷含量以桉纯林最高,不同季节速效磷含量以豆科林最低,含磷较高的桉树枯落物及其分解是桉林地表土壤速效磷较高的重要原因;而豆科植物产生的高氮土壤条件导致整个林分较快的生长,造成植物氮磷平衡失调,并由此增加了对土壤速效磷的吸收,从而导致豆科林土壤速效磷较低。不同林型土壤速效钾差别不大,豆科林土壤小幅度高于其它林型,而不同林型土壤速效硼含量也差别不大,但豆科林土壤小幅度低于其它林型,这可能是豆科林对钾与硼的需要与影响不同所致;在植物栽种后不久,土壤速效硼迅速下降至极低水平,然后逐年大幅度上升,这可能是植物从深层吸收土壤硼并通过凋落物转移至表土的效应;结果也显示,造林初期有必要施用适当硼肥。     

毛竹入侵阔叶林对土壤真菌群落的影响

为揭示天目山毛竹入侵原始阔叶林后土壤真菌群落特征的变化,采用T-RFLP以及荧光定量PCR技术,分析毛竹纯林、竹阔混交林及原始阔叶林土壤真菌群落结构和数量特征.结果表明： 土壤真菌群落结构差异在毛竹纯林和阔叶林之间最为明显,其次为竹阔混交林和阔叶林;竹阔混交林土壤具有最高的真菌Shannon指数、均匀度指数及最低的Simpson指数.硝态氮含量和pH显著影响了真菌群落结构的变异,毛竹林土壤真菌群落结构受pH和铵态氮影响较大,而阔叶林主要受硝态氮影响.阔叶林土壤真菌数量显著高于毛竹纯林和竹阔混交林,真菌数量分别与土壤pH和硝态氮呈现显著负相关和正相关.表明真菌在阔叶林土壤中介导了异养硝化作用,毛竹入侵可能对此过程产生了显著影响.     

Changes in Soil Microbial Community Associated with Invasion of the Exotic Weed, Mikania micrantha H.B.K

Invasions of exotic plant species are among the most pervasive and important threats to natural ecosystems. However, the effects of plant invasions on soil processes and soil biota have not been adequately investigated. Changes were studied in soil microbial communities where Mikania micrantha was invading a native forest community in Neilingding Island, Shenzhen, China. The soil microbial community structure (assessed by phospholipid fatty acid [PLFA] profiles) and function (assessed by enzyme activities), as well as soil chemical properties were measured. The results showed that the invasion of M. micrantha into the evergreen broadleaved forests in South China changed most of the characteristics in studied soils. Microbial community structure and function differed significantly among the native, two ecotones, and exotic-derived soils. For PLFA profiles, we observed a significant increase in aerobic bacteria but a decrease in anaerobic bacteria in the M. micrantha monoculture as compared to the native and ecotones. The ratio of cy19:0 to18:1ω7 gradually declined but mono/sat PLFAs increased as M. micrantha became more dominant. Both ratios were significantly related to pH according to regression analysis, therefore, pH was a sensitive indicator reflecting the invaded soil subsystem succession. The microbial community composition clearly separated the native soil from the invaded soils by principal component analysis (PCA) and discriminant analysis (DA). For enzyme activities, 7 of 9 enzymes (β-glucosidase, invertase, protease, urease, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, and phenol oxidase) showed the similar trend that the activities were highest in the exotic, intermediate in the two ecotones, and lowest in the native community. In most cases, enzyme activities were influenced by soil chemical properties, especially by pH value and soil organic matter. Differences in the structural variables were well correlated to differences in the functional variables as demonstrated by canonical correlation analysis (CCA). It was concluded that M. micrantha invasion had profound effects on the soil subsystem, which must be taken into account when we try to control its invasions.     

An invasive aster (Ageratina adenophora) invades and dominates forest understories in China: altered soil microbial communities facilitate the invader and inhibit natives

Exotic plant invasion may alter underground microbial communities, and invasion-induced changes of soil biota may also affect the interaction between invasive plants and resident native species. Increasing evidence suggests that feedback of soil biota to invasive and native plants leads to successful exotic plant invasion. To examine this possible underlying invasion mechanism, soil microbial communities were studied where Ageratina adenophora was invading a native forest community. The plant–soil biota feedback experiments were designed to assess the effect of invasion-induced changes of soil biota on plant growth, and interactions between A. adenophora and three native plant species. Soil analysis showed that nitrate nitrogen (NO₃⁻-N), ammonium nitrogen (NH₄⁺-N), and available P and K content were significantly higher in a heavily invaded site than in a newly invaded site. The structure of the soil microbial community was clearly different in all four sites. Ageratina adenophora invasion strongly increased the abundance of soil VAM (vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi) and the fungi/bacteria ratio. A greenhouse experiment indicated that the soil biota in the heavily invaded site had a greater inhibitory effect on native plant species than on A. adenophora and that soil biota in the native plant site inhibited the growth of native plant species, but not of A. adenophora. Soil biota in all four sites increased A. adenophora relative dominance compared with each of the three native plant species and soil biota in the heavily invaded site had greater beneficial effects on A. adenophora relative dominance index (20% higher on average) than soil biota in the non-invaded site. Our results suggest that A. adenophora is more positively affected by the soil community associated with native communities than are resident natives, and once the invader becomes established it further alters the soil community in a way that favors itself and inhibits natives, helping to promote the invasion. Soil biota alteration after A. adenophora establishment may be an important part of its invasion process to facilitate itself and inhibit native plants.     

Plant invasion alters nitrogen cycling by modifying the soil nitrifying community

Plant invasions have dramatic aboveground effects on plant community composition, but their belowground effects remain largely uncharacterized. Soil microorganisms directly interact with plants and mediate many nutrient transformations in soil. We hypothesized that belowground changes to the soil microbial community provide a mechanistic link between exotic plant invasion and changes to ecosystem nutrient cycling. To examine this possible link, monocultures and mixtures of exotic and native species were maintained for 4 years in a California grassland. Gross rates of nitrogen (N) mineralization and nitrification were quantified with ¹⁵N pool dilution and soil microbial communities were characterized with DNA‐based methods. Exotic grasses doubled gross nitrification rates, in part by increasing the abundance and changing the composition of ammonia‐oxidizing bacteria in soil. These changes may translate into altered ecosystem N budgets after invasion. Altered soil microbial communities and their resulting effects on ecosystem processes may be an invisible legacy of exotic plant invasions.     

Differences in Earthworm Densities and Nitrogen Dynamics in Soils Under Exotic and Native Plant Species

Previous studies of the invasion of two exotic plants – Berberis thunbergii and Microstegium vimineum – in hardwood forests of New Jersey have shown a significant increase of pH in soils under the invasive plants as compared with soils from under native shrubs (Vaccinium spp). We present a further investigation of soil properties under the exotic plants in question. We measured the densities of earthworms in the soil under the two exotics and the native shrubs in three parks in New Jersey. In the same populations we also measured the extractable ammonium and nitrate in the top 5 cm of the soil, as well as the respiration of the soils and the potential rates of mineralization (aerobic lab incubation). In addition, we measured the nitrate reductase activity in leaves of the two exotic plants and several native shrubs and trees. Although there were differences between parks, we observed significantly higher earthworm densities in the soil under the exotic species. The worms were all European species. Soil pH, available nitrate and net potential nitrification were significantly higher in soils under the two exotic species. In contrast, total soil C and N and net ammonification were significantly higher under native vegetation. Nitrate reductase activities were much higher in the leaves of exotic plants than in the leaves of native shrubs and trees. Changes in soil properties, especially the change in nitrogen cycling, associated with the invasion of these two plant species may permit the invasion of other weedy or exotic species. Our results also suggest that even if the two exotic species were removed, the restoration of the native flora might be inhibited by the high nitrate concentrations in the soil.     

Two Invasive Plants Alter Soil Microbial Community Composition in Serpentine Grasslands

Plant invasions pose a serious threat to native ecosystem structure and function. However, little is known about the potential role that rhizosphere soil microbial communities play in facilitating or resisting the spread of invasive species into native plant communities. The objective of this study was to compare the microbial communities of invasive and native plant rhizospheres in serpentine soils. We compared rhizosphere microbial communities, of two invasive species, Centaurea solstitialis (yellow starthistle) and Aegilops triuncialis (barb goatgrass), with those of five native species that may be competitively affected by these invasive species in the field (Lotus wrangelianus, Hemizonia congesta, Holocarpha virgata, Plantago erecta, and Lasthenia californica). Phospholipid fatty acid analysis (PLFA) was used to compare the rhizosphere microbial communities of invasive and native plants. Correspondence analyses (CA) of PLFA data indicated that despite yearly variation, both starthistle and goatgrass appear to change microbial communities in areas they invade, and that invaded and native microbial communities significantly differ. Additionally, rhizosphere microbial communities in newly invaded areas are more similar to the original native soil communities than are microbial communities in areas that have been invaded for several years. Compared to native plant rhizospheres, starthistle and goatgrass rhizospheres have higher levels of PLFA biomarkers for sulfate reducing bacteria, and goatgrass rhizospheres have higher fatty acid diversity and higher levels of biomarkers for sulfur-oxidizing bacteria, and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Changes in soil microbial community composition induced by plant invasion may affect native plant fitness and/or ecosystem function.     

Carbon addition interacts with water availability to reduce invasive forb establishment in a semi-arid grassland

Increases in nitrogen (N) availability can favor fast-growing invasive species over slow-growing native species. One way to reduce N availability is to add labile carbon (C) to the soil, which can lead to microbial immobilization of plant available N. This method has been used, with widely varying degrees of success, to both study and control plant invasions. One reason that C addition might not work as expected is that N is not always the limiting resource for plant growth. For example, if plant growth is limited by water, changes in N availability might have little effect on invasion. Here I ask whether effects of C addition on N availability, resident plant biomass, and invasion depend on water availability in semi-arid mixedgrass prairie. Six invasive species were seeded into plots treated with a factorial combination of water (ambient or added) and N (+C, control or +N). Carbon addition reduced capture of mineral N by resin probes (by an average of 73%), and reduced biomass of resident species (from 336 g m⁻² to 203 g m⁻²), both with and without added water. In contrast, because there was little invasion in ambient-water plots, C addition reduced invasion only in added-water plots. Given added water, C addition reduced biomass of Centaurea diffusa by 95%, and prevented invasion by Gypsophila paniculata and Linaria dalmatica. Mechanisms by which C addition reduced invasion varied by species, with added C reducing the growth of individual C. diffusa plants, but reducing numbers of G. paniculata and L. dalmatica individuals.     

Identifying Native Vegetation for Reducing Exotic Species during the Restoration of Desert Ecosystems

There is currently much interest in restoration ecology in identifying native vegetation that can decrease the invasibility by exotic species of environments undergoing restoration. However, uncertainty remains about restoration's ability to limit exotic species, particularly in deserts where facilitative interactions between plants are prevalent. Using candidate native species for restoration in the Mojave Desert of the southwestern U.S.A., we experimentally assembled a range of plant communities from early successional forbs to late‐successional shrubs and assessed which vegetation types reduced the establishment of the priority invasive annuals Bromus rubens (red brome) and Schismus spp. (Mediterranean grass) in control and N‐enriched soils. Compared to early successional grass and shrub and late‐successional shrub communities, an early forb community best resisted invasion, reducing exotic species biomass by 88% (N added) and 97% (no N added) relative to controls (no native plants). In native species monocultures, Sphaeralcea ambigua (desert globemallow), an early successional forb, was the least invasible, reducing exotic biomass by 91%. However, the least‐invaded vegetation types did not reduce soil N or P relative to other vegetation types nor was native plant cover linked to invasibility, suggesting that other traits influenced native‐exotic species interactions. This study provides experimental field evidence that native vegetation types exist that may reduce exotic grass establishment in the Mojave Desert, and that these candidates for restoration are not necessarily late‐successional communities. More generally, results indicate the importance of careful native species selection when exotic species invasions must be constrained for restoration to be successful.     

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Assemblages in Native Plant Roots Change in the Presence of Invasive Exotic Grasses

Plant invasions have the potential to significantly alter soil microbial communities, given their often considerable aboveground effects. We examined how plant invasions altered the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi of native plant roots in a grassland site in California and one in Utah. In the California site, we used experimentally created plant communities composed of exotic (Avena barbata, Bromus hordeaceus) and native (Nassella pulchra, Lupinus bicolor) monocultures and mixtures. In the Utah semi-arid grassland, we took advantage of invasion by Bromus tectorum into long-term plots dominated by either of two native grasses, Hilaria jamesii or Stipa hymenoides. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi colonizing roots were characterized with PCR amplification of the ITS region, cloning, and sequencing. We saw a significant effect of the presence of exotic grasses on the diversity of mycorrhizal fungi colonizing native plant roots. In the three native grasses, richness of mycorrhizal fungi decreased; in the native forb at the California site, the number of fungal RFLP patterns increased in the presence of exotics. The exotic grasses also caused the composition of the mycorrhizal community in native roots to shift dramatically both in California, with turnover of Glomus spp., and Utah, with replacement of Glomus spp. by apparently non-mycorrhizal fungi. Invading plants may be able to influence the network of mycorrhizal fungi in soil that is available to natives through either earlier root activity or differential carbon provision compared to natives. Alteration of the soil microbial community by plant invasion can provide a mechanism for both successful invasion and the resulting effects of invaders on the ecosystem.     

Differential responses of native and exotic coastal sage scrub plant species to N additions and the soil microbial community

Background and aims

Native shrub species of southern California have a long history of displacement by exotic annual herbs and forbs. Such invasions may be mediated by interactions with the microbial community and changes in the N cycle as a result of N pollution. However, the simultaneous effects of the soil microbial community status and N fertilization on dominant native and exotic plant species growth have not been thoroughly explored in this ecosystem.

Methods

Three species of native shrubs and of exotic annuals were grown in an orthogonal two-factor greenhouse experiment. To assess the importance of the soil microbial community pre-sterilized soils were inoculated with sterilized or non-sterilized field soil; to assess the importance of N type pots were fertilized with nitrate, ammonium or glycine solutions. Plant shoot and root biomass was measured after harvesting.

Results

The natives Artemisia californica and Eriogonum fasciculatum had lower growth in sterilized soil, suggesting microbial facilitation of these species, and E. fasciculatum higher growth with ammonia than either nitrate or glycine. Salvia apiana had equal growth under all conditions. The exotics Brassica nigra and Bromus madritensis grew equally in sterilized and unsterilized soil, and B. madritensis greater growth with ammonia fertilizer. Centaurea melitensis had greater growth in sterilized soil, and with either form of inorganic N.

Conclusions

These results highlight the importance of the soil microbial community in contributing to relative success of native vs. exotic species, and could inform restoration approaches for these species.