Abstract
BackgroundFew studies have incorporated the evolutionary insights provided by analysis of phylogenetic structure along with community composition to assess the effects of exotic invasion on freshwater wetlands. Here, we assess the taxonomic and phylogenetic relationships among acid seep springs to investigate the potential homogenization or resistance of communities due to invasion of an exotic grass.ResultsMultivariate community analyses indicated differences in community and phylogenetic composition and dispersion among acid seep springs, associated with gradients in soil moisture, canopy cover, and phylogenetic diversity. By contrast, univariate analyses showed differences in taxonomic diversity but not phylogenetic diversity among acid seep springs.ConclusionsDespite exotic invasion, individual acid seep springs remained taxonomically and phylogenetically distinct from each other. Taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity metrics revealed different aspects of composition, reinforcing the importance of including both in analyses of plant communities for understanding community assembly following exotic invasion and for management purposes. Within acid seep springs, taxonomic and phylogenetic composition appear to be driven more through environmental filtering by light and moisture than by the competitive effects following invasion of an exotic grass in support of Elton’s biotic resistance hypothesis.
Highlights
Few studies have incorporated the evolutionary insights provided by analysis of phylogenetic structure along with community composition to assess the effects of exotic invasion on freshwater wetlands
Phylogenetic methods Nucleotide sequences for rbcL and matK of species observed were accessed from Genbank and fasta (.fas) files were compiled using Notepad++
Microstegium vimineum was the most abundant and frequent species recorded within all acid seep springs
Summary
Few studies have incorporated the evolutionary insights provided by analysis of phylogenetic structure along with community composition to assess the effects of exotic invasion on freshwater wetlands. We assess the taxonomic and phylogenetic relationships among acid seep springs to investigate the potential homogenization or resistance of communities due to invasion of an exotic grass. Exotic plant invasions are a leading global concern for ecologists, biologists, and the general public (D'Antonio and Flory 2017). These species invade native communities due to natural and (increasingly) anthropogenic causes (González-Moreno et al 2014). While exotic species can alter ecosystem functioning, shifts in environmental filtering and their effect on native species composition can facilitate or hinder invasion success. In general, exotic species frequently establish better in previously uninvaded habitats compared to in their native habitats, often by competitively excluding native species (Warren et al 2011)
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