Fallopia japonica and Impatiens glandulifera are colonized by species-poor root-associated fungal communities but have minor impacts on soil properties in riparian habitats
Abstract:Fallopia japonica and Impatiens glandulifera are major plant invaders on a global scale that often become dominant in riparian areas. However, little is known about how these species affect interactions in soil–plant systems. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of both species on abiotic and biotic soil properties, with a special focus on fungi. We investigated eight sites along small streams invaded by F. japonica and I. glandulifera, respectively, and compared each with nearby sites dominated… Show more
“…Under circumstances, invasive plants may increase net primary production of the ecosystem, increase N availability, or produce litter with higher decomposition rates than co-occurring natives (Dekanová et al 2021;Ehrenfeld 2003), which may be re ected in higher microbial activity or increase available resources for soil fauna. Finally, the magnitude of these effects is a matter of discussion, sometimes they are considered minor (Schmitz et al 2023) or depending on the environmental context (Farrer et al 2020).…”
Background and Aims
Invasive species are a threat to the conservation of biological systems. In Central Europe, riparian ecosystems are especially susceptible to plant invasions, as waterflow mediates the spread of plant propagules, while invasive species may then affect soil including soil microbial communities. As waterflow also enhances connectivity among different segments of a river, spatial continuity of abiotic as well as biotic components of riparian ecosystems is expected.
Methods
We studied activity and functional diversity of microbial communities in three headwater streams in Central Europe. Plant diversity, soil properties and soil microbiota were assessed on 20 sample plots per river regularly distributed along the streams. Soil microbial activity and community-level physiological profiling were used to study the soil microbial community.
Results
Although the α-diversity of plants and soil microbiota was comparable, plant communities were substantially more differentiated than microbial communities. Richness in alien and invasive plants significantly differed among rivers, which was reflected in different spatial patterns and trends of microbial activity and diversity. A high level of spatial continuity and clearest longitudinal trends were observed in the Kysuca river with straightened riverbed and a high occurrence of artificial surfaces in the adjacent areas. The number of both alien and invasive plants significantly affects the composition of microbial functional groups of riverbed soils.
Conclusion
Continuity of processes in riparian ecosystems was confirmed also for headwater streams. However, the extent to which it applies to a particular stream strongly depends on particular environmental setting and stream characteristics.
“…Under circumstances, invasive plants may increase net primary production of the ecosystem, increase N availability, or produce litter with higher decomposition rates than co-occurring natives (Dekanová et al 2021;Ehrenfeld 2003), which may be re ected in higher microbial activity or increase available resources for soil fauna. Finally, the magnitude of these effects is a matter of discussion, sometimes they are considered minor (Schmitz et al 2023) or depending on the environmental context (Farrer et al 2020).…”
Background and Aims
Invasive species are a threat to the conservation of biological systems. In Central Europe, riparian ecosystems are especially susceptible to plant invasions, as waterflow mediates the spread of plant propagules, while invasive species may then affect soil including soil microbial communities. As waterflow also enhances connectivity among different segments of a river, spatial continuity of abiotic as well as biotic components of riparian ecosystems is expected.
Methods
We studied activity and functional diversity of microbial communities in three headwater streams in Central Europe. Plant diversity, soil properties and soil microbiota were assessed on 20 sample plots per river regularly distributed along the streams. Soil microbial activity and community-level physiological profiling were used to study the soil microbial community.
Results
Although the α-diversity of plants and soil microbiota was comparable, plant communities were substantially more differentiated than microbial communities. Richness in alien and invasive plants significantly differed among rivers, which was reflected in different spatial patterns and trends of microbial activity and diversity. A high level of spatial continuity and clearest longitudinal trends were observed in the Kysuca river with straightened riverbed and a high occurrence of artificial surfaces in the adjacent areas. The number of both alien and invasive plants significantly affects the composition of microbial functional groups of riverbed soils.
Conclusion
Continuity of processes in riparian ecosystems was confirmed also for headwater streams. However, the extent to which it applies to a particular stream strongly depends on particular environmental setting and stream characteristics.
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