Invasion by an exotic tree alters above and belowground ecosystem components |
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Authors: | Melissa R Martin Philip W Tipping James O Sickman |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Soil and Water Science, University of Florida, 106 Newell Hall, P.O. Box 110510, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA;(2) United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Invasive Plant Research Laboratory, 3225 College Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314, USA;(3) Department of Environmental Sciences, University of California, Riverside, 212 Science Laboratories 1, Riverside, CA 92521, USA |
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Abstract: | With the widespread introduction and invasion of exotic plants there is a need for studies that quantify alterations of basic
ecosystem structure and function. Ecosystem invasion by Melaleuca quinquenervia significantly altered both above- and belowground ecosystem components in this study. We measured the quantity and nutrient
concentration of the litterfall, litter layer, and soil; microbial biomass pools; and rates of potentially mineralizable nitrogen
and soil oxygen demand. Annual litterfall was 4.9 times higher in the non-invaded sites and contained 1.9 times more phosphorus
than invaded sites. Non-invaded plots contained a larger litter layer compared to invaded plots: 2.4 ± 1.2 kg m−2 and 0.62 ± 0.3 kg m−2
, respectively. Lower nutrient concentration and quantity of the litter layer in the invaded plots led to changes in the aboveground
storage of nutrients. In the invaded plots there was four times less carbon, seven times less nitrogen, and ten times less
phosphorus stored in the organic litter layer compared to the non-invaded plots. Microbial biomass nutrient pools were consistently
lower at both the 0–5 cm and 5–15 cm depth in the invaded soils compared to non-invaded soils, indicating a plant mediated
change. Although M. quinquenervia altered microbial community structure, microbial activities were not different between invaded and non-invaded plots at either
depth as measured by rates of soil oxygen demand and potentially mineralizable nitrogen. These changes may affect both native
plant growth and water quality, and may act to promote and maintain site dominance by M. quinquenervia. |
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