Physico-Chemical Soil Properties Affected by Invasive Plants in Southwest Germany (Rhineland-Palatinate)—A Case Study

Abstract

The invasive plant species Impatiens glandulifera native to Asia mainly occupies European riparian ecosystems. It is still unclear to which extent this invasive plant can alter physico-chemical soil properties in terms of carbon turnover, microstructural stability and soil hydraulic properties threatening native plant species, here represented by Urtica dioica. Soil samples were collected from three sites in the Palatine forest near the river Queich, including bare soil (Control), or soil within dense stands of either I. glandulifera or U. dioica with similar texture. Basic soil parameters including SOM content and quality were analyzed. SOM is known to impact soil microstructural stability and soil hydraulic properties. We therefore assessed microstructural stability, the pore size distribution and the wettability. Our results implied more recalcitrant SOM for soil colonized by U. dioca including a lower pH. For soil colonized by I. glandulifera less recalcitrant SOM was detected indicating a reduced degradation which is likely given due to lignin as a predominant component in the plant biomass of I. glandulifera Soil microstructural stability was higher for soil colonized by the invader showing a slight increase with soil depth, due to higher SOM content. All in all, this case study indicates that I. glandulifera most likely affects the soil microbiome while basic soil parameters, soil hydraulic properties, wettability and soil microstructural stability showed no significant effect.