Eastern redcedar roots create legacy effects that suppresses growth of prairie species
Abstract The expansion of woody species from their historical ranges into grasslands is a global problem. Understanding the mechanisms that enable species to successfully establish and then re‐encroach following their removal is critical to effectively managing problem species. Legacy effects are a...
| Main Authors: | , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wiley
2023-12-01
|
| Series: | Ecology and Evolution |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.10775 |
| _version_ | 1827396075852398592 |
|---|---|
| author | Leland D. Bennion David Ward |
| author_facet | Leland D. Bennion David Ward |
| author_sort | Leland D. Bennion |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract The expansion of woody species from their historical ranges into grasslands is a global problem. Understanding the mechanisms that enable species to successfully establish and then re‐encroach following their removal is critical to effectively managing problem species. Legacy effects are a mechanism that could be critical to the reestablishment of woody encroachers following their removal. Legacy effects occur when a species alters the biotic and abiotic environment in a way that affects communities that establish subsequently. In this study, we assess whether the eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana), a North American woody encroacher, generates legacy effects that affect communities that establish following removal of this species from an experimental grass community. We conducted a series of experiments to evaluate the effects of J. virginiana, roots on the germination and growth of grasses and to determine if the effects of root‐addition treatments were derived from a microbial or allelopathic origin. Aqueous extracts of J. virginiana roots were found to inhibit the germination of grasses. We found escalating suppression of overall community biomass and the biomass of each individual species with increasing root treatments. Finally, we determined the origin of the observed suppressive effect is unlikely to be of microbial origin. Synthesis: Our results suggest that J. virginiana exudes an allelochemical into soils that inhibits the growth of certain grasses and thus has the potential to have legacy effects on future occupants. We suggest that the inhibition of the development of grasses in areas where J. virginiana has been removed is a mechanism that may favor the reestablishment of J. virginiana. Our results indicate the legacy effects of J. virginiana must be considered when conducting removal and restoration of J. virginiana infested lands. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T18:45:23Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ca9ce43f64564714b80dffafa0b94955 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-7758 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T18:45:23Z |
| publishDate | 2023-12-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Ecology and Evolution |
| spelling | doaj.art-ca9ce43f64564714b80dffafa0b949552023-12-29T00:26:15ZengWileyEcology and Evolution2045-77582023-12-011312n/an/a10.1002/ece3.10775Eastern redcedar roots create legacy effects that suppresses growth of prairie speciesLeland D. Bennion0David Ward1Department of Biological Sciences Boise State University Boise Idaho USADepartment of Biological Sciences Kent State University Kent Ohio USAAbstract The expansion of woody species from their historical ranges into grasslands is a global problem. Understanding the mechanisms that enable species to successfully establish and then re‐encroach following their removal is critical to effectively managing problem species. Legacy effects are a mechanism that could be critical to the reestablishment of woody encroachers following their removal. Legacy effects occur when a species alters the biotic and abiotic environment in a way that affects communities that establish subsequently. In this study, we assess whether the eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana), a North American woody encroacher, generates legacy effects that affect communities that establish following removal of this species from an experimental grass community. We conducted a series of experiments to evaluate the effects of J. virginiana, roots on the germination and growth of grasses and to determine if the effects of root‐addition treatments were derived from a microbial or allelopathic origin. Aqueous extracts of J. virginiana roots were found to inhibit the germination of grasses. We found escalating suppression of overall community biomass and the biomass of each individual species with increasing root treatments. Finally, we determined the origin of the observed suppressive effect is unlikely to be of microbial origin. Synthesis: Our results suggest that J. virginiana exudes an allelochemical into soils that inhibits the growth of certain grasses and thus has the potential to have legacy effects on future occupants. We suggest that the inhibition of the development of grasses in areas where J. virginiana has been removed is a mechanism that may favor the reestablishment of J. virginiana. Our results indicate the legacy effects of J. virginiana must be considered when conducting removal and restoration of J. virginiana infested lands.https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.10775allelopathyeastern redcedargrasslandsJuniperus virginianalegacy effectsrange expansion |
| spellingShingle | Leland D. Bennion David Ward Eastern redcedar roots create legacy effects that suppresses growth of prairie species Ecology and Evolution allelopathy eastern redcedar grasslands Juniperus virginiana legacy effects range expansion |
| title | Eastern redcedar roots create legacy effects that suppresses growth of prairie species |
| title_full | Eastern redcedar roots create legacy effects that suppresses growth of prairie species |
| title_fullStr | Eastern redcedar roots create legacy effects that suppresses growth of prairie species |
| title_full_unstemmed | Eastern redcedar roots create legacy effects that suppresses growth of prairie species |
| title_short | Eastern redcedar roots create legacy effects that suppresses growth of prairie species |
| title_sort | eastern redcedar roots create legacy effects that suppresses growth of prairie species |
| topic | allelopathy eastern redcedar grasslands Juniperus virginiana legacy effects range expansion |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.10775 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT lelanddbennion easternredcedarrootscreatelegacyeffectsthatsuppressesgrowthofprairiespecies AT davidward easternredcedarrootscreatelegacyeffectsthatsuppressesgrowthofprairiespecies |