Scholarlink

<p><i>Vachellia farnesiana</i>, a highly invasive species, poses significant ecological challenges due to its widespread establishment in various ecosystems. Understanding the impacts of its invasion on plant communities and soil properties is crucial for effective management and conservation efforts to preserve biodiversity and maintain ecological balance. This study investigates the ecological ramifications of <i>V. farnesiana</i> invasion on the understory of managed forest plant communities. To meet the fuel needs of the railroad networks in what was then British India, now Pakistan, British foresters began planting non-native trees in the Changa Manga Forest in 1866. This managed forest, now recognized as a wildlife sanctuary, is home to a wide variety of flora and is an important habitat for endangered animal species. <i>V. farnesiana</i> was planted in the forest in 1957 for fuel wood production. We systematically surveyed thirty sites using phytosociological methods to assess the impact of <i>V. farnesiana</i> on understory communities. We recorded 47 plant species belonging to 22 plant families and 41 genera. Forty-two percent of the identified species were non-native, whilst 58% were native. Plant species composition differed significantly among uninvaded (UI), moderately invaded (MI), and heavily invaded (HI) plots. Shannon and Simpson diversity declined with increasing invasion, as confirmed by significant differences in plant species composition (PERMANOVA F = 4.8, P = 0.001) and a high mean community dissimilarity of 91.78% (SIMPER analysis). Principal Component Analysis revealed distinct clustering, proving the impact of <i>V. farnesiana</i> invasion on community structure, with nine species common across all sites. Herbaceous and shrub layers exhibited noticeable differences in community dynamics, emphasizing the impact of <i>V. farnesiana</i> on both layers. Species richness was significantly lower in heavily invaded sites, highlighting the ecological impacts of <i>V. farnesiana</i> on ecosystem functioning. The of <i>V. farnesiana</i> invasion correlates with elevated nitrogen and soil organic carbon (SOC) levels, alongside decreased soil moisture content. The degree of invasion was correlated with shifts in soil nutrient profiles. A Spearman correlation analysis and Mantel test revealed the interconnectedness of soil properties and invasion levels. This study improves our understanding of the ecological impacts of <i>V. farnesiana</i> invasion on the vegetation of Changa Manga Forest. This invasive species has altered plant community dynamics and has caused significant changes in soil properties. Effective management is needed to safeguard the biodiversity and ecological integrity of this managed forest ecosystem.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Invasion by the non-native tree Vachellia farnesiana alters the understory composition of plants and soil properties in a managed forest in the subtropical region of Pakistan

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年2月14日

查看全文
  • Muhammad Waheed,
  • Shiekh Marifatul Haq,
  • Fahim Arshad,
  • David M. Richardson

摘要

Vachellia farnesiana, a highly invasive species, poses significant ecological challenges due to its widespread establishment in various ecosystems. Understanding the impacts of its invasion on plant communities and soil properties is crucial for effective management and conservation efforts to preserve biodiversity and maintain ecological balance. This study investigates the ecological ramifications of V. farnesiana invasion on the understory of managed forest plant communities. To meet the fuel needs of the railroad networks in what was then British India, now Pakistan, British foresters began planting non-native trees in the Changa Manga Forest in 1866. This managed forest, now recognized as a wildlife sanctuary, is home to a wide variety of flora and is an important habitat for endangered animal species. V. farnesiana was planted in the forest in 1957 for fuel wood production. We systematically surveyed thirty sites using phytosociological methods to assess the impact of V. farnesiana on understory communities. We recorded 47 plant species belonging to 22 plant families and 41 genera. Forty-two percent of the identified species were non-native, whilst 58% were native. Plant species composition differed significantly among uninvaded (UI), moderately invaded (MI), and heavily invaded (HI) plots. Shannon and Simpson diversity declined with increasing invasion, as confirmed by significant differences in plant species composition (PERMANOVA F = 4.8, P = 0.001) and a high mean community dissimilarity of 91.78% (SIMPER analysis). Principal Component Analysis revealed distinct clustering, proving the impact of V. farnesiana invasion on community structure, with nine species common across all sites. Herbaceous and shrub layers exhibited noticeable differences in community dynamics, emphasizing the impact of V. farnesiana on both layers. Species richness was significantly lower in heavily invaded sites, highlighting the ecological impacts of V. farnesiana on ecosystem functioning. The of V. farnesiana invasion correlates with elevated nitrogen and soil organic carbon (SOC) levels, alongside decreased soil moisture content. The degree of invasion was correlated with shifts in soil nutrient profiles. A Spearman correlation analysis and Mantel test revealed the interconnectedness of soil properties and invasion levels. This study improves our understanding of the ecological impacts of V. farnesiana invasion on the vegetation of Changa Manga Forest. This invasive species has altered plant community dynamics and has caused significant changes in soil properties. Effective management is needed to safeguard the biodiversity and ecological integrity of this managed forest ecosystem.