A meta-analysis of the ecological significance of density in tree invasions

C. Delmas; S. Delzon; C. Lortie

doi:10.1556/comec.12.2011.2.4

Jump to Content

Community Ecology

Volume/Issue:: Volume 12: Issue 2

A meta-analysis of the ecological significance of density in tree invasions

Authors:

C. Delmas

C. Delmas

Search for other papers by C. Delmas in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed

S. Delzon

S. Delzon University of Bordeaux — INRA UMR BIOGECO Bat B8, avenue des Facultés 33405 Talence France

Search for other papers by S. Delzon in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed

, and

C. Lortie

C. Lortie York University Department of Biology 4700 Keele St. Toronto Ontario Canada M3J 1P3

Search for other papers by C. Lortie in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed

View More View Less

Pages:: 171–178

Online Publication Date:: 17 Nov 2011

Publication Date:: 01 Dec 2011

Article Category:: Journal Article

DOI:: https://doi.org/10.1556/comec.12.2011.2.4

Keywords:: Density; Invasive impact; Invasibility; Meta-analysis; Native community

Restricted access

Species richness, resource availability, and disturbance are the primary factors considered in assessing the invasibility of plant communities. Nonetheless, the density of individuals in a community is a common and easy trait to measure. The ecological significance of the density of both native and invasive tree species was assessed using a systematic review and formal meta-analysis. The densities of recipient communities and invasive exotic tree species in novel ranges were identified in the published literature. In addition, we compared by means of a meta-analysis: (i) densities of invasive versus native species in invaded communities; (ii) densities of native species in invaded versus uninvaded communities; and (iii) densities of invasive species along distance gradients from initial locus of invasion. Invasive trees were found at higher densities than native species in recipient communities. Invasions by woody species were also recorded in communities with relatively low densities of natives suggesting that (i) low density forests may be more susceptible to invasion and/or (ii) density of the recipient community may be reduced during the invasion process. In addition, comparison of native species densities between invaded and uninvaded stands from the same community suggests that invasive trees negatively affect density of native trees once established. Therefore, the widely reported low density and often richness of native plants in invaded communities cannot be directly linked to ecosystem susceptibility to invasion without considering concomitant impacts. These findings suggest that density is a key preliminary determinant or factor which should be considered when assessing tree invasion dynamics.

Save
Cite
Email this content

Share Link

Copy this link, or click below to email it to a friend
Email this content
or copy the link directly:

https://akjournals.com/abstract/journals/168/12/2/article-p171.xml
The link was not copied. Your current browser may not support copying via this button.

Link copied successfully

Collapse
Expand

Community Ecology An Interdisciplinary Journal Reporting Progress in Community and Population Studies

Print ISSN:: 1585-8553

Online ISSN:: 1588-2756

To see the editorial board, please visit the website of Springer Nature.

Manuscript Submission: HERE

For subscription options, please visit the website of Springer Nature.

Community Ecology
Language	English
Size	A4
Year of Foundation	2000
Volumes per Year	1
Issues per Year	3
Founder	Akadémiai Kiadó
Founder's Address	H-1117 Budapest, Hungary 1516 Budapest, PO Box 245
Publisher	Akadémiai Kiadó Springer Nature Switzerland AG
Publisher's Address	H-1117 Budapest, Hungary 1516 Budapest, PO Box 245. CH-6330 Cham, Switzerland Gewerbestrasse 11.
Responsible Publisher	Chief Executive Officer, Akadémiai Kiadó
ISSN	1585-8553 (Print)
ISSN	1588-2756 (Online)