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Impact of an invasive clonal herb on epigaeic invertebrates in forest remnants in New Zealand
- Source :
-
Biological Conservation . Mar2004, Vol. 116 Issue 1, p49. 10p. - Publication Year :
- 2004
-
Abstract
- This study determines the impact of an invasive herbaceous weed Tradescantia fluminensis on invertebrates within three lowland podocarp/ broadleaved forest remnants in southern North Island, New Zealand. Epigaeic invertebrates were sampled within three Tradescantia-infested plots and three non-infested plots at each of three sites using pitfall traps. The abundance of invertebrates was reduced in Tradescantia plots compared with non-Tradescantia plots if Collembola and Acarina, the two most abundant and variable orders, are excluded (647±123 (mean±SE) compared with 1153±370), though this difference is not statistically significant. There was no difference if they were included (3897±2530 compared with 2505±1095). Five of the 23 orders collected were sorted into recognisable taxonomic units (RTUs). RTU richness was lower in Tradescantia plots compared with non-Tradescantia plots (39.7±5.5 compared with 51.7±8.9) though there was weak statistical support. Detrended correspondence analyses separated Tradescantia and non-Tradescantia plots within sites when based on RTUs, but not when based on orders/families. Overall, impacts of Tradescantia were apparent despite large differences in invertebrate assemblages among sites. The impact of Tradescantia could be a result of the weed''s tall, dense vegetation structure and associated microclimate, relative to native ground covers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
- Subjects :
- *CLONAL forestry
*SMALL-leaf spiderwort
*INVERTEBRATES
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 00063207
- Volume :
- 116
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Biological Conservation
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 11465901
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/S0006-3207(03)00172-1