Possible Impacts of the Invasive Plant Rubus niveus on the Native Vegetation of the Scalesia Forest in the Galapagos Islands |
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| Authors: | Jorge Luis Rentería Mark R Gardener F Dane Panetta Rachel Atkinson Mick J Crawley |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Biology, Imperial College London, Silwood Park Campus, Ascot, Berkshire, United Kingdom.; 2. Charles Darwin Foundation, Puerto Ayora, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador.; 3. School of Plant Biology, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia.; 4. Invasive Plant Science, Biosecurity Queensland, Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation, Ecosciences Precinct, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.; USDA-ARS, United States of America, |
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| Abstract: | Originally from Asia, Rubus niveus has become one of the most widespread invasive plant species in the Galapagos Islands. It has invaded open vegetation, shrubland and forest alike. It forms dense thickets up to 4 m high, appearing to displace native vegetation, and threaten the integrity of several native communities. This study used correlation analysis between a R. niveus cover gradient and a number of biotic (vascular plant species richness, cover and vegetation structure) and abiotic (light and soil properties) parameters to help understand possible impacts in one of the last remaining fragments of the Scalesia forest in Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos. Higher cover of R. niveus was associated with significantly lower native species richness and cover, and a different forest structure. Results illustrated that 60% R. niveus cover could be considered a threshold for these impacts. We suggest that a maximum of 40% R. niveus cover could be a suitable management target. |
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