Plant-induced changes in soil nutrient dynamics by native and invasive grass species

Abstract

Alteration of soil nutrient dynamics has recently garnered more attention as both a cause and an effect of plant invasion. This project examines how nutrient dynamics are affected by native (Elymus elymoides, Pseudoroegneria spicata, and Vulpia microstachys) and invasive (Aegilops triuncialis, Agropyron cristatum, Bromus tectorum, and Taeniatherum caput-medusae) grass species. This research questions whether natives and invasives differ in their effects on nutrient dynamics. A greenhouse study was conducted using two field-collected soils. Effects on nutrient dynamics were compared using an integrated index that evaluates the total nutrients in soil and in plant tissue compared to an unplanted control. With this index, we evaluated whether soil nutrients increased or decreased as a result of plant growth, controlling for plant uptake. We found no consistent support for our hypothesis that invasive grass species as a group influence nutrient dynamics differently than native grass species as a group. Our results indicate species-specific effects on nutrient dynamics. Alteration of nutrient dynamics is not a trait shared by all of the invasive grass species in our study. However, alteration of nutrient dynamics may be a mechanism by which some individual species increase their invasive potential.

Effect of exotic invasive old world climbing fern (lygodium microphyllum) on soil properties

“…Additionally, our results indicate L microphyllum has a significant impact on the soil characteristics, and the effect is highly dependent on existing soil conditions. Impacts on the total nutrient pool and microbial community structure are con- cantly increased compared to the coexisting natives (Duda et al 2003;Vanderhoven, 2005;Dassonville et al 2008;Liao et al 2008;Perkins, 2011). This effect was most evident at sites with lowest nutrient con- Our results also show a difference in the rhizosphere microbial community which contributes directly to plant fitness, nutrient acquisition and stress tolerance.…”

“…Most of the studies have reported increased soil nutrient stock in invaded sites compared to non-invaded sites creating a positive feedback benefiting invasive species (Duda et al2003;Vanderhoeven et al2005;Liao et al 2008;Perkins, 2011). A meta-analysis of litter decomposition rates by Liao et al (2008) showed that the litter decomposition rate of the invasive plants was on average, 117% faster than the co-occurring native species.…”

Influence of Soil Biogeochemical Properties on the Invasiveness of Old World Climbing Fern (Lygodium microphyllum)

“…These results follow the general trend reported by various researchers, where the nutrient pools in the invasive species rhizosphere are significantly increased compared to the coexisting natives (Duda et al 2003;Vanderhoven 2005;Dassonville et al 2008;Liao et al 2008;Perkins 2011). This effect was most evident at sites with lowest nutrient concentration.…”

“…However, the documented impacts of invasive species on soil characteristics are diverse. While most of the studies have reported increased soil nutrient stock in invaded sites compared to non-invaded sites creating a positive feedback benefiting invasive species (Duda et al 2003;Vanderhoeven et al 2005;Liao et al 2008;Perkins 2011), some other studies have shown negative feedback (Ley and D'Antonio 1998;Mack and D'Antonio 1998;Leary et al 2006). A meta-analysis of litter decomposition rates by Liao et al (2008) showed that the litter decomposition rate of the invasive plants was on average, 117% faster than the cooccurring native species.…”

Rhizosphere-mediated effects of the invasive grass Bromus tectorum L. and native Elymus elymoides on nitrogen cycling in Great Basin Desert soils

“…Any of these changes could result in a legacy effect if soils remained biologically, physically, or chemically altered after its removal (Corbin and D'Antonio 2012). Other researchers have tested for invasive plant legacy effects by growing the invasive species in greenhouse soils for one or several growth cycles to condition the soil, removing the invader, and then comparing soil properties and/or growth of other plants in those same soils (Grman and Suding 2010;Scharfy et al 2010;Meisner et al 2011;Perkins et al 2011). Another method to test legacy effects is to compare plant growth in soils of known historical properties (Blank and Morgan 2013;Hagen et al 2013).…”