Abstract
Abstract Serpentine barrens are globally rare, savanna habitats that support distinctive vegetation. In eastern North America, two major threats to serpentine barrens are the spread of invasive species and the encroachment of trees into open habitats. We assessed these threats by comparing serpentine savannas and woodlands in the State Line serpentine barrens, southeast Pennsylvania. We asked which invasive species were most frequent and abundant in each habitat and how they may affect plant diversity and community composition and how succession of savannas to woodlands may affect plant diversity and community composition. We compared species richness, evenness, diversity, and beta diversity between savannas and adjacent woodlands and quantified differences in community composition. Invasive species comprised 16% of total plant cover, and the most frequent invasive species were Microstegium vimineum (Trin.) A. Camus, Lonicera japonica Thunb., and Elaeagnus umbellata Thunb. Savannas had substantially great...
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