Biological consequences of invasion by reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea)

Spyreas, Greg; Wilm, Brian W.; Plocher, Allen E.; Ketzner, David M.; Matthews, Jeffrey W.; Ellis, James L.; Heske, Edward J.

doi:10.1007/s10530-009-9544-y

Cited by 82 publications

(67 citation statements)

References 113 publications

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“…Fourth, we examine the impact of invasive canopy cover on arthropod communities as suggested by Pawson et al (2010). The few studies that have explicitly looked into the effect of invader dominance on arthropod abundance and richness report mixed results (Heleno et al 2009;Litt & Steidl 2010;Parr, Ryan & Setterfield 2010;Pawson et al 2010;Spyreas et al 2010;Almeida-Neto, Prado & Lewinsohn 2011). Meta-analyses of a larger set of observational studies could potentially derive a more generalized view.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of plant invasions on local arthropod communities: a meta‐analysis

et al. 2013

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Summary 1.Invasive plants can have a major impact on local plant and animal communities. However, effects of plant invasions on arthropod communities and the potential drivers have rarely been studied. 2. We present a meta-analysis of 56 studies on the impact of plant invasions on abundance and richness of local arthropod communities. Moreover, we study the role of five invader and habitat attributes to assess their influence on the direction and magnitude of effect on arthropod communities: the time since introduction; woody vs. herbaceous invaders; presence of native congeners; canopy cover of the invader; and single vs. multiple invaders. 3. We found that overall invaded habitats had a 29% lower arthropod abundance and a 17% lower taxonomic richness compared with non-invaded habitats. Woody invaders had a stronger negative impact on arthropod communities than herbaceous invaders, reducing abundance and richness by as much as 55% and 21%, respectively. 4. Synthesis. Our study demonstrates that arthropod communities are negatively affected by plant invasions, which may have substantial effects on other ecosystem features, such as pollination, food web dynamics, decomposition as well as habitat heterogeneity. Loss of arthropod diversity is generally directly associated with loss of plant species richness. Therefore, the reduction we see could be causally connected to the effect of the invader on the habitat. The physical dominance of woody invaders compared with herbaceous invaders could be a main driver for this effect.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of plant invasions on local arthropod communities: a meta‐analysis

et al. 2013

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“…Conversely, when there is increasing cover, there should be a decrease in animal abundance and diversity. Based on previous research, Harding grass is predicted to have a negative effect on an animal's ability to maneuver in Harding grass, resulting in a decreased animal abundance (Spyreas et al, 2010).…”

Section: Contextmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Phalaris aquatica on the abundance and diversity of vertebrate animals in Mediterranean coastal grasslands in California

Joseph

Nazal

Saini

et al. 2017

Preprint

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Harding grass (Phalaris aquatica), an invasive non-native species of bunchgrass, has been introduced to grasslands in many regions of California, particularly those with a history of disturbance, such as tilling and grazing. Due do the invasive nature of Harding grass, we sought to examine whether it has an effect on small animal abundance and diversity in the grasslands, Rancho Marino Reserve (RM) and Fiscalini Ranch Preserve (FR) in California. Both grasslands have similar climate and geographic location but differ in management history. Two transects were created in each site, with eight plots per transect. Animal cameras were deployed over the course of three nights to examine the abundance and diversity of small animals. Due to the history of tilling and planting of RM, and its increase in P. aquatica coverage, there was less animal abundance and diversity compared to FR. The results indicated that the untilled/unplanted areas had more animal abundance and diversity compared to tilled/planted due to the lack of Harding Grass. This can be due to factors such as diminished soil quality, difficulty in maneuvering in the tall grass, and adaptability to native vegetative state. Invasive plants have the ability to increase rapidly in space and potentially lead to ecosystem degradation. This adds further knowledge in the relationship between small animals and their habitats and helps conservation biologists ensure mammalian populations remain stable.

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“…Ecotypes of reed canary grass that are translocated to suitable habitat in other regions behave far more aggressively than the native ecotype [167,168], and reed canary runs rampant and out-competes other species in the native ecosystem [169].…”

Section: Case Study 5: Reed Canary Grass (Phalaris Arundinacea L)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Beyond Turf and Lawn: Poaceae in This Age of Climate Change

Dunster¹

2017

Grasses - Benefits, Diversities and Functional Roles

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Grassland ecosystems dominated by Poaceae are estimated to cover 40.5% of Earth's land base, and domestication of a few edible grass species into highly productive cereal grains aided the shift from nomadic food gathering to ield cultivation and higher density habitation. In the Northern Hemisphere, grasses are used ornamentally and for pasture, fodder and forage with litle thought that the grasses livestock grazed upon, or those we gaze upon have multi-functional uses elsewhere. In this age of climate change, the use of Poaceae solely for aesthetics and amenity depletes inite potable water supplies that are needed for human survival. Agricultural land is consumed for turf seed production, and land is removed from food production. Cereals and their growing regions, which we have depended upon as food for millennia, are unlikely to adapt to climate change, and this will result in food insecurity and famines. Despite traditional uses of Poaceae in various cultures, many unrealized needs for food, medicine and other material goods could be met elsewhere with knowledge transfer. Our modern relationship with grass as an ornamental or amenity must end. As designers, gardeners and urban dwellers, we must use Poaceae for its multi-functions, which will lead to resilience and survival.

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Biological consequences of invasion by reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea)

Cited by 82 publications

References 113 publications

Impact of plant invasions on local arthropod communities: a meta‐analysis

Impact of plant invasions on local arthropod communities: a meta‐analysis

Effect of Phalaris aquatica on the abundance and diversity of vertebrate animals in Mediterranean coastal grasslands in California

Beyond Turf and Lawn: Poaceae in This Age of Climate Change

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