2022
DOI: 10.1002/ecy.3655
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Demographic consequences of mutualism disruption: Browsing and big‐headed ant invasion drive acacia population declines

Abstract: Across the globe, biological invasions have disrupted mutualisms, producing reverberating consequences for ecosystems. Although invasive species frequently trigger mutualism disruptions, few studies have quantified the demographic mechanisms by which mutualism breakdown may generate population effects. In a Kenyan savanna, the invasive big-headed ant (Pheidole megacephala) has disrupted a foundational mutualism between the monodominant whistling-thorn tree (Acacia drepanolobium) and native ants (Crematogaster … Show more

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Cited by 6 publications
(7 citation statements)
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“…Over the course of our experiment, changes in tree cover could arise in two ways. First, and within megaherbivore exclusion (fenced) plots, any differences relative to baseline conditions (i.e., those from uninvaded, open plots in 2017) would reflect differences in tree growth and survival in the absence of megaherbivores for both invaded and uninvaded areas ( 24 ). Second, within open (unfenced) plots, megaherbivore browsing (which we predicted would be higher in invaded areas) would reduce tree growth and survival ( 24 ).…”
Section: Effects Of Mutualism Disruption On Savanna Opennessmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Over the course of our experiment, changes in tree cover could arise in two ways. First, and within megaherbivore exclusion (fenced) plots, any differences relative to baseline conditions (i.e., those from uninvaded, open plots in 2017) would reflect differences in tree growth and survival in the absence of megaherbivores for both invaded and uninvaded areas ( 24 ). Second, within open (unfenced) plots, megaherbivore browsing (which we predicted would be higher in invaded areas) would reduce tree growth and survival ( 24 ).…”
Section: Effects Of Mutualism Disruption On Savanna Opennessmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…2015), including the savannas of East Africa (Young et al . 1996, Stanton & Palmer 2011, Palmer & Brody 2013, Hays et al .2022). In such ecosystems, whistling thorn trees ( Acacia [Vachellia] drepanolobium ) form a near-monoculture, comprising 95-99% of the canopy layer (Young et al .…”
Section: Tablementioning
confidence: 99%
“…Mutualisms structure biodiversity and ecosystem function (Stachowicz 2001). Mutualisms between plants and ants are particularly widespread across the tropics (Christian 2001, Frederickson et al 2005, Palmer & Brody 2013, Prior et al 2015, including the savannas of East Africa (Young et al 1996, Stanton & Palmer 2011, Palmer & Brody 2013, Hays et al 2022). In such ecosystems, whistling thorn trees (Acacia [Vachellia] drepanolobium) form a near-monoculture, comprising 95-99% of the canopy layer (Young et al 1996).…”
mentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Mutualisms structure biodiversity and ecosystem function (Stachowicz, 2001). Mutualisms between plants and ants are particularly widespread across the tropics (Christian, 2001; Frederickson et al., 2005; Palmer & Brody, 2013; Prior et al., 2015), including the savannas of East Africa (Hays et al., 2022; Palmer & Brody, 2013; Stanton & Palmer, 2011; Young et al., 1996). In such ecosystems, whistling thorn trees ( Acacia [ Vachellia ] drepanolobium ) form a near‐monoculture, comprising 95%–99% of the canopy layer (Young et al., 1996).…”
Section: Introductionmentioning
confidence: 99%