Mechanisms of Chinese tallow (Triadica sebifera) invasion and their management implications – A review

Abstract

Ecosystems are under increasing stress from environmental change, including invasion by non-native species that can disrupt ecological processes and functions. Chinese tallow [Triadica sebifera (L.) Small] is a highly invasive tree species in southeastern US forests, prairies, and wetlands, and effectively managing this invasive species is a significant challenge for scientists and land managers. In this review, we synthesize the literature on invasion ecology and management of Chinese tallow. Our review suggests that the invaded range of Chinese tallow is currently limited by dispersal in many areas and by low temperatures and low soil moisture, and by high soil salinity and frequent flooding in others, but these barriers may be overcome by increased dispersal, phenotypic plasticity, and/or rapid evolution. Invasions by Chinese tallow are facilitated by both the invasiveness of the species and the invasibility of the recipient communities. Invasiveness of Chinese tallow has been attributed to fast growth, high fecundity, a persistent seed bank, aggressive resprouting, abiotic stress tolerance, and the ability to transform fire maintained ecosystems. Some of these traits may be enhanced in invasive populations. Anthropogenic and natural disturbances, lack of herbivore pressure, and facilitation by soil microbes enhance the intensity of Chinese tallow invasions. Biological control of Chinese tallow is being developed. Treatments such as herbicides, prescribed fire, and mechanical control can effectively control Chinese tallow at the local scale. A combination of these treatments improves results. However, a proactive management approach would simultaneously achieve invasion control and promote subsequent ecological restoration, especially in the context of legacy effects, secondary invasions, and/or variable ecosystem responses to different control treatments. Future research should clarify the roles of species invasiveness and community invasibility, increase our understanding of the effects of Chinese tallow in invaded communities, and develop viable management regimes that are effective in both controlling or reducing the probability of Chinese tallow invasion and restoring desired native communities.

Managing Mixed Stands: Reassessing a Forgotten Stand Type in the Southeastern United States

“…Alternatively, maintaining desirable species mixtures without the use of prescribed fire will likely require herbicide applications. Established populations of stress-tolerant, frequently seeding invasive species, such as Chinese tallow (Triadica sebifera L. (Small)), may also make MSM challenging, as species mixtures will become increasingly dominated by undesirable species [100]. In most situations, the applicability of MSM will be determined by more than just the effects of a single factor.…”

The impacts of invasive ecosystem engineers in freshwaters: A review

“…Potentially, the impact of invasive ecosystem engineers in freshwaters will be even greater in circumstances where engineers change abiotic conditions to suit themselves (and potentially other invasive species), displacing native species and changing community structure (e.g. Pile et al, ) and function (Boulton et al, ). Despite the potential impact of ecosystem engineers in freshwater, there has been little synthesis of literature regarding freshwater invasive ecosystem engineers.…”

Testing Darwin's Naturalization Conundrum using phylogenetic relationships: Generalizable patterns across disparate communities?

“…The introduction, establishment and spread of non-native species can dramatically alter native community structure and the functioning of ecosystems (Chapin et al, 2000;Vitousek, Walker, Whiteaker, Mueller-Dombois, & Matson, 1987;Winter et al, 2009). Although some introductions can have a positive effect on native species biodiversity (Bartomeus, Vilà, & Santamaría, 2008;Rodriguez, 2006), more often than not, the establishment of non-native species has detrimental effects on native biodiversity, such as causing local extinctions through interspecific competition (e.g., Pile et al, 2017;Wells, de Winton, & Clayton, 1997) or by reducing pollinator visitation to native species (e.g., Brown, Mitchell, & Graham, 2002;Chittka & Schürkens, 2001). It is therefore a major goal of invasion ecology and conservation biology to identify the factors that lead to the successful establishment of non-native species.…”