Post-fire invasion risk of Chinese tallow (<i>Triadica sebifera</i>) in a slash pine flatwood ecosystem in the Gulf of Mexico Coastal Plain, United States: mechanisms and contributing factors at the community level

Fire and Invasive Plant Interactions

“…Invasion across Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama has been reported to be more likely in fire-damaged stands (defined as fire within the last five years with 25% or more of the trees being damaged), although the effect was statistically significant only in areas with very high invasion rates (Gan et al 2009). Similar results were reported in Mississippi, with more Chinese tallow seedlings found around snags than live trees, as well as an increased invasion chance with lower canopy cover, lower shrub cover (<50%), slash pine overstory, and closer proximity to roads or trails (Fan 2018;Cheng et al 2021).…”

“…To catch infestations while they are young, land managers need to survey suitable fire-dependent habitat at least every 4-5 years. Areas that are more likely to be invaded-highly disturbed areas, areas with more snags, lower canopy cover, or lower shrub cover-should be the highest priority for surveys, as well as areas frequented by fruit-dispersing wildlife (Fan 2018;Cheng et al 2021).…”