Impacts of the invasive species <i> Linaria vulgaris </i> on soil ecology and native plant biodiversity

Abstract

Invasive species are a major threat to biodiversity. Invasive plant species can alter ecosystems by outcompeting natives, lowering biodiversity, and change soil ecology. Additionally, invasive species can be costly to manage. Linaria vulgaris, a non-native noxious weed from Europe and Asia, was used as a study organism to better understand how invasive plant species impact biodiversity and soil ecology. I hypothesized that Linaria vulgaris would lower native plant biodiversity and increase litter and total nitrogen levels in invaded areas. However, there was no significant difference found between plots with L. vulgaris present or absent or with plots where L. vulgaris has been experimentally pulled for 19 years. Additionally, I hypothesized that the soil ecology was negatively affecting L. vulgaris growth. However, a potted-plant experiment found no significant difference in the growth of L. vulgaris between soils where it was locally abundant vs. declining. Taken together, these results suggest that L. vulgaris may surpass its own carrying capacity and decline its own population, allowing native plant species to rebound in abundance in the presence of L. vulgaris.

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