Exploring the invasion of rangelands by <i>Acacia mearnsii</i> (black wattle): biophysical characteristics and management implications

Gwate, Onalenna; Mantel, Sukhmani; Finca, Andiswa; Gibson, Lesley; Münch, Zahn; Palmer, Anthony R.

doi:10.2989/10220119.2016.1271013

Cited by 27 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…shade-tolerant species under A. dealbata. The reduced light availability also leads to lower grass productivity through the reduction of specific leaf area index (LAI) thresholds (Gwate et al 2016). However, A. dealbata did not reduce the light availability in broad-leaf native forests .…”

Section: Effects On Ecosystemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Here to stay. Recent advances and perspectives about Acacia invasion in Mediterranean areas

Souza‐Alonso

Rodríguez

González

et al. 2017

Annals of Forest Science

101

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Key message The above-and belowground impacts due to Acacia invasions have been described in detail over the last 25 years. Future research should focus on the early detection and prevention of new Acacia introductions and on a cost-effective and sustainable management of the novel ecosystems resulting from invasions.• Context Invasive alien plants (IAPs) strongly alter ecosystems reducing biodiversity, modifying ecosystem services and increasing negative impacts at social and economic level. Among invasive taxa, Acacia is a highly problematic genus worldwide. In fact, almost 500 papers have been published on several aspects of Acacia invasions for the last 25 years.• Aims We aim at reviewing the current knowledge on the consequences of the invasion by Acacia genus in Mediterranean ecosystems. We also collect and propose different approaches for the management and recovery of invaded areas and suggest future perspectives on Acacia research. • Methods We compile, summarise and discuss recent findings on physicochemical, ecological, microbiological and socioeconomic aspects of invasion related to Australian acacias (Acacia dealbata, Acacia longifolia, Acacia mearnsii, Acacia saligna and Acacia melanoxylon) focusing on Mediterranean areas.• Results Acacia invasion generally entails soil physicochemical alterations and changes in microbial function and structure. Consequences such as the decreased biodiversity, altered ecosystem structure, larger seed banks dominated by invasive species, new biotrophic relationships or alterations in water availability and fire regimes suggest that acacias are locally creating novel ecosystems.• Conclusions Forecasting invasions, modelling and managing ecosystems dominated by acacias are challenging tasks that should be addressed in the future, since climatic conditions and intensification in land uses are increasing the likelihood of Acacia invasions in Mediterranean areas. Unsuccessful management actions suggest that restoration should be meticulously monitored, but the magnitude of invasion or the inconsistency of economic investment indicate that eradication is often unfeasible. Alternatively, novel integrative and cost-effective solutions including the collaboration of society, politicians and stakeholders are necessary to prevent new introductions and achieve sustainable control of acacias. There is a growing interest in applied research on the valorisation or novel uses for acacias and their residues that result in economic benefits.

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Section: Effects On Ecosystemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Here to stay. Recent advances and perspectives about Acacia invasion in Mediterranean areas

Souza‐Alonso

Rodríguez

González

et al. 2017

Annals of Forest Science

101

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“…This LC map was classified from multi-temporal Landsat 7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper imagery using primarily conventional per-pixel classifiers based on 2000-2001 conditions [32] with a minimum mapping unit of 1-2 ha [60] and 45 classes [32]. The year 2000 also corresponds to the launch of the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellites (Terra and Aqua) providing science quality data with high temporal and spectral resolution and intermediate spatial resolution [61] used in other modelling and comparison studies in this project [38].…”

Section: Data Selectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Classes were assigned from aerial photography (dated July 2000: Chief Directorate: National Geospatial Information (CD: NGI)) using the eight-class LC legend (Table 1). In addition, a new LC dataset was generated through image processing to represent the second time step (T2) for 2014, 15 years later [42], corresponding to the collection of field data [38].…”

Section: Data Selectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Invasion by woody plants is a driver of grassland transformation, which influences ecosystem services provided by rangelands, such as forage production, water supply, habitat, biodiversity, carbon sequestration and recreation [38]. Therefore, from a rangeland management perspective, understanding the LC trajectories relating to grass production would be important for local farmers [38]. In addition, the success of the Working for Water (WfW) programme [2], which uses labour-intensive methods to clear invasive woody plants while supporting job creation [3], can be evaluated.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Characterizing Degradation Gradients through Land Cover Change Analysis in Rural Eastern Cape, South Africa

et al. 2017

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Abstract:Land cover change analysis was performed for three catchments in the rural Eastern Cape, South Africa, for two time steps (2000 and 2014), to characterize landscape conversion trajectories for sustained landscape health. Land cover maps were derived: (1) from existing data (2000); and (2) through object-based image analysis (2014) of Landsat 8 imagery. Land cover change analysis was facilitated using land cover labels developed to identify landscape change trajectories. Land cover labels assigned to each intersection of the land cover maps at the two time steps provide a thematic representation of the spatial distribution of change. While land use patterns are characterized by high persistence (77%), the expansion of urban areas and agriculture has occurred predominantly at the expense of grassland. The persistence and intensification of natural or invaded wooded areas were identified as a degradation gradient within the landscape, which amounted to almost 10% of the study area. The challenge remains to determine significant signals in the landscape that are not artefacts of error in the underlying input data or scale of analysis. Systematic change analysis and accurate uncertainty reporting can potentially address these issues to produce authentic output for further modelling.

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Patterns of understory invasion in invasive timber stands of a tropical sky island

Jobin

Das

Harikrishnan

et al. 2023

Ecology and Evolution

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Current climate and land cover change threaten global mountaintops with increased spread of invasive species. Long‐established plantations of invasive trees on these mountaintops can alter their surroundings, further increasing invader‐facilitated invasion. Identifying the ecological conditions promoting such associations can help develop better management interventions. The Western Ghats's Shola Sky Islands (>1400 m MSL) host vast stretches of invasive tree plantations that sustain the colonization of other invasive woody, herbaceous, and fern species in their understories. Here, we analyzed vegetation and landscape variables from 232 systematically placed plots in randomly selected grids using non‐metric multidimensional scaling and Phi coefficient approaches to examine patterns of association (positive interactions) between understory invasive species with specific invasive overstory species. We also conducted GLMM with zero inflation to determine the influence of environmental variables where such associations occur. We find that understory invasion of multiple species under the canopy of other invasives is widespread across the Shola Sky Islands. Stands of Eucalyptus host the colonization of 70% of non‐native invasive species surveyed across the Shola Sky Islands. In particular, the Lantana camara invasion is strongly associated with Eucalyptus stands. We also found that climatic variables affect the colonization of understory woody invasive species, while invasion by exotic herbaceous species is associated with the density of road networks. Canopy cover impacts all invasives negatively, while fire incidence was negatively associated with invasion by Lantana spp. and the Pteridium spp. While the restoration of natural habitats primarily targets the highly invasive Acacia , less invasive Eucalyptus and Pinus are often not included. Our study suggests that retaining such invasive species in natural habitats, particularly protected areas, can hinder ongoing grassland restoration efforts by facilitating further invasions by multiple woody and herbaceous species.

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Exploring the invasion of rangelands by Acacia mearnsii (black wattle): biophysical characteristics and management implications

Cited by 27 publications

References 41 publications

Here to stay. Recent advances and perspectives about Acacia invasion in Mediterranean areas

Here to stay. Recent advances and perspectives about Acacia invasion in Mediterranean areas

Characterizing Degradation Gradients through Land Cover Change Analysis in Rural Eastern Cape, South Africa

Patterns of understory invasion in invasive timber stands of a tropical sky island

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