Gleditsia triacanthos (Fabaceae) in Argentina: a review of its invasion

Abstract

Gleditsia triacanthos L. is a woody species native to North America that has invaded Uruguay, Spain, Australia, South Africa and several countries of Central and Eastern Europe. In Argentina, it has become one of the most important invasive woody species and has a high potential to continue spreading. In this study, we review different aspects of G. triacanthos invasion in Argentina that include descriptions of invaded ecoregions and environments, intrinsic characteristics of the species, invasion dynamics and impacts. In addition, we discuss mechanisms that potentially explain its success, control strategies and natural barriers to its invasion. We reviewed a total of 91 articles and book chapters, of which 62 were developed in Argentina. Studies reported that the invasion of G. triacanthos in different ecoregions was favoured by intrinsic characteristics of the species, together with the interaction with cattle and disturbances, which cause negative impacts on flora, fauna and ecosystem processes. Disturbances were proposed as the main mechanism to explain this species’ invasion, but other hypotheses such as the release of natural enemies and/or propagule pressure might also be important. Further studies are required, mainly on the impacts on ecosystem processes and on the control, production of organic compounds and mutualistic interactions (with nitrogen-fixing bacteria and mycorrhizal fungi).

Effects of tree size and park maintenance on soil seed bank of Gleditsia triacanthos, an exotic tree in urban green areas

“…Additionally, Herron et al (2007) state that a species is more likely become invasive in new localities, if (1) it has already become invasive in one region outside of its native range; and (2) if it has a large native latitudinal distribution range. The case of honey locust fulfills both of these requirements as being seriously invasive in Argentina (Fernandez et al 2017), and having a natural range between latitudes N 26° 41′ and N 43° 31′ in North America (Estrada-Castillón et al 2002).…”

“…Numerous alien species survive in its new territory in low abundance for years after its introduction (called "lag phase") before suddenly becoming invasive (Hobbs and Humphries 1995). This has already happened in some regions, especially in Argentina where honey locust becomes one of the most harmful invasive plants with great potential to continue further expanding its range (Ferreras et al 2015;Fernandez et al 2017). Local adaptation of plant traits, particularly those associated with seeds and seedlings, could play a key role in the process (Kudoh et al 2007;Tognetti et al 2019).…”

Estructura de los bosques de Gleditsia triacanthos en función de la edad (valle de La Sala, Tucumán, Argentina)

“…Ecología se convirtió en invasora en varios países de Sudamérica, Oceanía, África y Europa (Csurhes and Kriticos 1994;Zalba and Villamil 2002;Caballero 2013). En la Argentina fue introducida a fines del siglo XXVIII para cercos y como árbol ornamental, y actualmente invade las Pampas, el Chaco Seco, las Yungas y el Espinal (Prieto et al 2004;Fernández et al 2017). El ganado favorece su invasión al consumir y dispersar sus vainas, al igual que los disturbios antrópicos que "abren espacios" para su colonización.…”

“…El ganado favorece su invasión al consumir y dispersar sus vainas, al igual que los disturbios antrópicos que "abren espacios" para su colonización. En comparación con especies arbóreas nativas, G. triacanthos es una invasora exitosa debido a su habilidad competitiva, a su plasticidad fenotípica y a su capacidad de adaptarse a diferentes ambientes (Fernández et al 2017;Tognetti et al 2019). Al invadir, cambia la fisonomía y la estructura de las comunidades locales (e.g., convierte pastizales nativos en bosques monoespecíficos), e impacta de forma negativa sobre la flora y la fauna nativas, a la vez que ocasiona cambios en los procesos ecosistémicos (Ghersa and León 2001;Zalba and Villamil 2002).…”

“…Varios aspectos de la ecología de la invasión de G. triacanthos se investigaron en la Argentina, como su impacto sobre diferentes componentes del ecosistema, su habilidad competitiva en comparación con otras especies arbóreas nativas y el rol de disturbios antrópicos en su colonización, entre otros (Marco and Páez 2000;Ghersa and León 2001;Di Marzio et al 2009;Ferreras et al 2014;Capó et al 2016). En una revisión sobre la invasión de G. triacanthos se observó que 62 de 91 trabajos publicados sobre esta especie se realizaron en la Argentina (Fernández et al 2017). Este resultado no es sorprendente debido a que G. triacanthos se encuentra entre las exóticas arbóreas más agresivas de la Argentina, donde afecta negativamente la flora y la fauna, invade áreas protegidas y ocasiona problemas económicos en campos agrícolas (Marco and Páez 2000;Ghersa and León 2001;Fernández et al 2017).…”