REAL

Abiotic and biotic changes due to spread of Brachypodium genuense (DC.) Roem. & Schult. in sub-Mediterranean meadows

Catorci, A. and Cesaretti, S. and Gatti, R. and Ottaviani, G. (2011) Abiotic and biotic changes due to spread of Brachypodium genuense (DC.) Roem. & Schult. in sub-Mediterranean meadows. Community Ecology, 12 (1). pp. 117-125. ISSN 1585-8553

[img] Text
comec.12.2011.1.14.pdf
Restricted to Repository staff only until 30 June 2031.

Download (835kB)

Abstract

The present research deals with the impact of the invasive species Brachypodium genuense in central Apennine meadows. The study compares meadows under different management types (mown versus abandoned). B. genuense spread in the abandoned condition alters the ecological status of the site. It lowers soil temperature, moisture and pH, while it increases soil C/N ratio and litter production. In terms of biotic features, phenological analysis indicated that the abandoned condition is less rich in flowering species and individuals in each analysed date. We observed a less affected temporal niche (during the first phase of B. genuense leaf growth) and two strongly influenced phases (in early spring and in correspondence with phases when B. genuense flowers and has full growth of leaves). Functional trait analysis indicated that species with runners, ability to form patches, and late flowering strategies benefit from B. genuense spread, whereas species marked by storage organs, small size, and early flowering strategies benefit in the mown condition. However, it seems that only low frequency species are heavily threatened, while the others can remain inside the plant community by shelter niche occupation.

Item Type: Article
Subjects: Q Science / természettudomány > QH Natural history / természetrajz > QH540 Ecology / ökológia
Depositing User: xBarbara xBodnár
Date Deposited: 07 Jul 2017 08:51
Last Modified: 07 Jul 2017 08:51
URI: http://real.mtak.hu/id/eprint/55696

Actions (login required)

Edit Item Edit Item