Copper tolerant Elsholtzia splendens facilitates Commelina communis on a copper mine spoil

Abstract

Background and aims There is evidence that plant facilitation occurs in heavy metal wastelands, but the extent and mechanisms of facilitation are not known. The copper (Cu) tolerant Elsholtzia splendens is a dominant pioneer species during the secondary succession on copper mine spoils in eastern China. Species appearing later are often associated with patches of E. splendens. We hypothesize that E. splendens facilitates neighbors by modifying local soil properties.