Invasive plants alter soil properties and nutrient dynamics: A case study of Anthemis cotula invasion in Kashmir Himalaya

Abstract

Plant invasion is considerably affecting terrestrial ecosystems by modulating soil nutrient cycling and ecological processes. Below-ground processes are of paramount interest to understand the long-term influences as well as the management of the invaded soil ecosystems. We studied the impact of a global plant invader, Anthemis cotula L. (stinking chamomile; Asteraceae), on key soil physicochemical properties across eight sites in the Kashmir Himalaya, India. At each site, two types (invaded and un-invaded) of adjacent plots (20 × 20 m2) with or without A. cotula were chosen for soil sampling. Soil properties from both invaded and un-invaded plots were analysed. We found significant (P < 0.05) variations in the studied soil parameters in the invaded and un-invaded plots across the study sites. The contents of organic C, total K, total N, total P, available N, and available K were 10–60% higher in the invaded plots compared with the un-invaded plots, whereas the available P content was 21% higher in the un-invaded plots. The findings revealed that A. cotula invasion significantly alters soil nutrient levels by modulating different physicochemical properties in invaded plots, such as soil pH, electrical conductivity, water saturation percentage, and porosity. The influence of plant invasion on soil properties was clearly highlighted by Principal Component Analysis, with the majority of them ordinated towards invaded areas except for the available P and bulk density. Overall, A. cotula alters essential soil properties, thereby potentially influencing the soil nutrient pools and processes, which may further facilitate its establishment and invasion potential in the mountain ecosystems. This study underlines the importance of implementing measures for controlling the invasion of A. cotula, implementing soil reclamation strategies, and conserving native landscape characteristics in the invaded area.