Environmental Impact of Invasion by an African Grass (Echinochloa pyramidalis) on Tropical Wetlands: Using Functional Differences as a Control Strategy

Rosas, Hugo López; Cejudo, Eduardo; Moreno‐Casasola, Patricia; Peláez, Luis Alberto Peralta; Hernández, María E.; Campos, C Adolfo; León, Gustavo Aguirre

doi:10.1007/978-3-319-91382-7_9

Cited by 3 publications

(6 citation statements)

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“…After a freshwater swamp is cleared, it is common for ranchers to plant exotic grasses, generally of African origin, to feed the livestock (López-Rosas et al, 2019). This results in the transformation and alteration of plant communities that are reflected in changes in the floristic composition and the physicochemical characteristics of the soil and water (Travieso-Bello et al, 2005;Rodríguez-Medina and Moreno-Casasola, 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hacia la restauración con Annona glabra (Annonaceae) de una selva inundable: establecimiento y crecimiento de plántulas, y cambio en la vegetación acompañante

et al. 2022

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Background and Aims: Currently, freshwater swamps are deteriorating and their cover is decreasing, mainly due to deforestation for livestock and the introduction of exotic grasses. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the survival and the growth of Annona glabra seedlings, monitor changes in the accompanying vegetation, and estimate the cost of our experimental ecological restoration treatments in a freshwater swamp transformed into a flooded pasture and invaded by the exotic grass Echinochloa pyramidalis.Methods: The study was carried out on a floodplain surrounding a mangrove on the coast of central Veracruz, Mexico. It consisted of sowing four A. glabra seedlings in experimental quadrats exposed to different restoration techniques. Fifteen experimental restoration treatments were tested consisting of five restoration techniques (no modification, covering with plastic, planting Pontederia sagittata, soil removal, and raising the soil level), and three pretreatments applied to the seedlings planted (nursery seedlings with and without fertilizer, seedlings collected from the wetlands) in a random block design.Key results: Low seedling survival was recorded (30.7%), but this was higher for the seedlings from freshwater wetlands (41.1%). The highest percent survival was recorded where the soil was raised, followed by the soil removal technique. Regarding the vegetation, 40 species were recorded and the highest species richness was observed where the soil had been raised and where it had been removed. The Relative Importance Value was highest for Echinochloa pyramidalis, Mimosa pigra, and Annona glabra. The pretreatment of obtaining seedlings directly from the wetland was the cheapest one.Conclusions: Action is required to increase reforestation success. For future restoration projects, we recommend that the soil in the transplanting area be raised and covered with plastic before planting, to increase the probability of seedling survival and reduce grass cover. Moreover, seedlings collected from a swamp fragment should be used for reforestation.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hacia la restauración con Annona glabra (Annonaceae) de una selva inundable: establecimiento y crecimiento de plántulas, y cambio en la vegetación acompañante

et al. 2022

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“…With the introduction of cattle, trampling is a common problem that causes soil compaction by decreasing its porosity and increasing the apparent density, affecting the growth and establishment of native plants (Crush & Thom 2011; Morris & Reich 2013). In addition, introducing exotic grasses decreases resources and changes the physicochemical variables of water and soil (Zedler & Kercher 2004; Travieso‐Bello et al 2005; Rodríguez‐Medina et al 2017; López‐Rosas et al 2019; Ren et al 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Worldwide, grazing systems have intensified, and the introduction of pastures for the development of livestock activities has been favored (van der Velde et al 2006; Hogan & Phillips 2011). During the first half of the 20th century, exotic grasses were commonly introduced in Tropical America, including Mexico (López‐Rosas et al 2019). They spread quickly by seed or stolons, were more palatable to livestock, and could invade large areas with little maintenance by ranchers, thus displacing native grasses and local flora (Parsons 1972; Guevara & Moreno‐Casasola 2008)|.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Hitchc. & Chase, known locally as pasto alemán (Poaceae; COTECOCA 1991; Moreno‐Casasola et al 2018), which ranchers appreciate due to its ability to “form soil” by decomposing its biomass in swampy areas (Melgarejo‐Vivanco 1980) and slowly reducing flood duration (López‐Rosas et al 2019). After the felling of the native vegetation and the introduction of pastures, ranchers often leave some trees standing that serve as shade for livestock or in adjacent plots, which continue to produce seeds.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition, exotic grasses can cause a decrease or inhibition in the germination of native species, as observed with E. pyramidalis . It has been suggested that part of its successful establishment is due to its high biomass production, thus reducing the amount of light that reaches the soil and thereby causing the inhibition of seed germination of native species (López‐Rosas et al 2013, 2019).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Setting the stage for the restoration of an Annona glabra swamp after exotic grass invasion

Sánchez-García

Rosas

Sosa

et al. 2022

Restoration Ecology

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The expansion of cattle ranching in the coastal plain of the Gulf of Mexico is transforming freshwater swamps resulting in the reduction of swamps area and the introduction of invasive exotic grasses. This study seeks to determine the structure of the remaining population of Annona glabra in a grassland, evaluate vegetation and environmental conditions of the grassland, and determine the germination capability of A. glabra under different cover conditions of grass growth and two flood levels. The study area is a flooded grassland invaded by Echinochloa pyramidalis in central Veracruz, Gulf of Mexico. In the grassland, we censused and mapped the remaining individuals of A. glabra. We sampled the vegetation and measured the physicochemical characteristics of the soil and water. To evaluate the effect of the invasive grass on the germination of A. glabra seeds, we designed two greenhouse experiments: one (E1) under soil moisture at field capacity and another (E2) under flooded conditions. We found 312 remnant individuals. We recorded 31 plant species, most (72.7%) classified as aquatic/semiaquatic. The relative importance value was highest for E. pyramidalis, Mimosa pigra, and Eleocharis mutata. BEST analysis did not detect significant correlations between vegetation and physicochemical variables, indicating homogeneous environmental conditions. Seed germination was above 80% in E1 and below 20% in E2 in all grass cover levels. Although flooding decreases germination rates, substantial proportion of seeds can germinate, suggesting that natural succession is viable. Based on our results, the flooded grassland has conditions to restore swamp.

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Coastal wetland ecosystems deliver large carbon stocks in tropical Mexico

et al. 2021

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Environmental Impact of Invasion by an African Grass (Echinochloa pyramidalis) on Tropical Wetlands: Using Functional Differences as a Control Strategy

Cited by 3 publications

References 128 publications

Hacia la restauración con Annona glabra (Annonaceae) de una selva inundable: establecimiento y crecimiento de plántulas, y cambio en la vegetación acompañante

Hacia la restauración con Annona glabra (Annonaceae) de una selva inundable: establecimiento y crecimiento de plántulas, y cambio en la vegetación acompañante

Setting the stage for the restoration of an Annona glabra swamp after exotic grass invasion

Coastal wetland ecosystems deliver large carbon stocks in tropical Mexico

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