The Impact of the Weed Chrysanthemoides monilifera ssp. rotundata on Coastal Leaf Litter Invertebrates |
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Authors: | Elizabeth A Lindsay Kris French |
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Institution: | (1) School of Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong, Northfield Ave, Wollongong, New South Wales, 2522, Australia;(2) Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, New South Wales, 2109 Sydney, Australia |
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Abstract: | In coastal areas of Australia, there are extensive infestations of the environmental weed Chrysanthemoides monilifera ssp. rotundata (bitou bush). This study looked at the impact of long-term infestations on the abundance and assemblage composition of leaf
litter invertebrates. Assemblages were compared in weed infested and native shrublands along the New South Wales coastline
over 12 months. The total abundance was not significantly reduced in the weedy habitat but the abundance of mites, thrips,
spiders, ants, and centipedes was reduced at many sites. The invertebrate assemblages also differed between habitats, with
the C. monilifera supporting a lower diversity of beetles. However, the millipedes, amphipods, earthworms, pseudoscorpions and isopods appeared
to respond positively to the invasion, occurring in higher abundance and detected more frequently in the weedy areas. This
has been partially attributed to a change in microclimate within the C. monilifera infestations. It is generally moister and darker, which these invertebrates tend to prefer. Secondly, C. monilifera produces less leaf litter of higher quality, and possibly higher palatability than the native sclerophyllous vegetation,
which may encourage species that consume litter. |
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Keywords: | bitou bush invertebrate assemblage litter invertebrates weed impacts weed invasion |
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