Group Richness Research Articles

Phosphate fertilization and liming in a trial conducted over 21 years: A survey for greater forage production and Pampa pasture conservation

Phosphorus fertilization and liming are alternatives used to increase forage production in Southern Brazil grasslands (Pampa grasslands) and to avoid its replacement by cultivated exotic crops. However, changes in natural soil fertility can significantly affect the equilibrium of natural vegetation communities. We hypothesized that triple and simple superphosphate and limestone using would lead to greater increase in dry matter production and to changes in the botanical composition and richness of Pampa grassland plant species than the use of lesser soluble P sources (phosphate rock) or no liming treatment. To test our hypotheses, we assessed a 21-year-old field trial to identify its forage production pattern, based on P sources and liming application. The vegetation was studied in 2009 and 2018, based on the following variables: Shannon and Pielou indices, species richness, dry matter and plant groups (species grouped based on growth form, life period, photosynthetic pathway, morphology and growing season). Soil chemical properties in the 0–10 cm layer were also evaluated in 2018. According to the long-term evaluation, two high dry matter yield periods were observed after P fertilization (55 % and 25 % higher dry matter yield, on average). Each of these periods was followed by decreased dry matter yield, regardless of the P source. Species richness did not show changes overtime, although there was high turnover of plant species. Soluble fertilizer usage resulted in increased dry matter production and in the replacement of large proportions of species, mainly in tussock grasses and forbs groups. The contribution of legume species for dry matter production increased due to the combined effect of phosphate fertilizers and limestone. However, maintaining forage production levels higher than without phosphorus fertilization requires regular supply of soluble phosphorus fertilizers, which, in the present case, cannot exceed three years.

Forest Succession and Tree Identity Shape Species and Functional Group Richness of Ant Communities in New England

Ant communities are an important component of ecosystem functioning, as ant activities often accelerate leaf-litter decomposition and nutrient cycling in forest soils. In Northeastern North America, global climate change is expected to accelerate forest succession, and the effects of this succession on forest ant communities remain relatively unexplored. This work aims to understand the effects of forest succession and productivity on the functional group diversity of New England ant communities by testing a prediction of species–energy theory. Our study took place at the Harvard Forest, MA, where we conducted localized ground surveys for ants and measured the productivity of 4 tree species dominant in New England. We found that both ant species richness and functional group richness were significantly higher in association with deciduous trees compared to coniferous tree types. Species richness and functional group richness were highly correlated. Contrary to the species–energy theory, we found no strong correlations between tree productivity and ant community composition or function. Our findings indicate that local, top-down forest processes may influence the composition and functioning of ant communities as New England forests become dominated by deciduous trees.

Soil moisture regime and canopy closure structure subalpine understory development during the first three decades following fire

Subalpine coniferous forests are adapted to cycles of fire and successional development, but increasing fire frequency and severity are altering historical stand structure, composition, and plant diversity. For instance, conifer regeneration has become increasingly variable as a result of prolonged aridity following fire, but the potential cascading effects on understory community development remain virtually unexplored. We used a natural experiment to investigate the relationships among understory plant succession, soil moisture regime, and variable tree canopy development over 30 years following the 1988 fires in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, U.S.A. In 1990, at each of two study areas, plots were established in different site types defined by burn status (burned or unburned) and soil moisture regime (mesic or xeric), determined using biophysical indicators. We asked: (1) Are differences in soil moisture regime associated with differences in understory community composition (species richness, diversity, and functional group representation) during the first three decades after fire? (2) Does the relationship between soil moisture regime and community composition change over time as subcanopy (height >137 cm) tree densities increase? We confirmed our original designations of soil moisture regime using in situ measurements of soil moisture. Over the first decade of succession, species richness and diversity were lower in xeric-burned than in mesic-burned plots. Nearly 30 years after fire at the south-aspect study area, where subcanopy tree densities were low, seral understories diverged by soil moisture regime. There, graminoid cover was 23-fold higher, and forb cover was 3-fold lower, in xeric-burned than in mesic-burned plots. In contrast, in the mixed aspect study area, subcanopy tree densities were markedly higher. There, the understory did not vary by soil moisture regime, converging successionally and becoming more similar to unburned forest communities. Our results suggest that site-specific soil moisture regimes structure the early trajectory of post-fire understory recovery, but the relationship diminishes as tree canopies develop over time. However, under a warming climate, variable tree canopy development may compound increasing aridity, particularly on xeric sites, resulting in decreases in plant diversity and forb cover, increases in graminoid cover, and the potential for altered successional dynamics.

The forelimbs of Octodontidae (Rodentia: Mammalia): substrate use, morphology, and phylogenetic signal

Rodents of the family Octodontidae, endemic to South America, represent a group with low taxonomic richness group (six genera and 14 species) but have great ecomorphological diversity with epigean, semi-fossorial, fossorial, and subterranean forms. We analyzed morphometric variation in humerus and ulna, the possible relationship with substrate preference use, and the presence of a phylogenetic signal in the forelimbs traits (five biomechanical indices). Our results show that, in octodontids, the forelimb variation was not primarily associated with their phylogeny and some attributes are highly explanatory in terms of function, with a clear differentiation between the substrate use gradient extremes (i.e. epigean and subterranean forms). The two forelimb traits, the development of humeral epicondyles and the olecranon process of the ulna, indicative of adaptive trends found in Octodontidae are consistent with most of those described for other mammals and corroborate the relevance of forelimb characters to differentiate modes of locomotion or substrate preferences.

Termite functional diversity along an elevational gradient in the Cerrado of Mato Grosso do Sul

Termites are dominant invertebrates in tropical environments and are important intermediate species of decomposition in terrestrial ecosystems. The study aimed to characterize how termite richness and feeding group diversity vary along an elevational gradient in the Brazilian savanna. Termites were sampled within a standardized 100 × 2 m transect at undisturbed Cerrado sites along an elevational gradient from 210 to 600 m asl. Termite diversity declined with the increase in elevation in the Serra de Maracaju, with an elevation range of 400 m and strong undulated relief. Higher elevations cause a significant decrease in the number of grass-litter-feeding species and Syntermitinae species, associated with more acidic soils with lower saturation by exchangeable bases. Beta and, especially, alpha diversity at plot level were responsible for the observed diversity of almost all groups, except for wood-feeders. Our results suggest a greater change in termite taxonomic and functional diversities at a lower elevational gradient than at high elevations. Finally, this study gives some insights that even in a rockier physiognomy, probably with fewer resources to be explored the termite diversities was still higher than in a pasture area at lower elevations.

Phasmatodea (Arthropoda, Insecta) in Brazil: Status, New Record, and Proposal for Using Molecular Tools to Assist in Species Identification.

Phasmatodea (Arthropoda, Insecta) comprises phytophagous insects, popularly known as stick bugs because most of them resemble dry branches. Currently, more than 3000 species are known, the majority of which can be found in tropical regions of the world. In Brazil, it is estimated that there are approximately 200 species, but these numbers may not truly reflect the group's richness. A high degree of intraspecific polymorphism, a low number of specimens sampled, a shortage of specialized literature, and having only a small number of experts have amplified the difficulties in studying this order. Therefore, this study aims to present a historical survey of the Phasmatodea studies that have been conducted in Brazil thus far, indicating gaps in knowledge and discussing perspectives to expand understanding within this group. Furthermore, to the best our knowledge, the molecular characterization of the cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene of mitochondrial DNA of two species of phasmids found in Brazil, Cladomorphus phyllinus Gray, 1835, and Pseudophasma missionum Piza, 1981, is presented for the first time. In addition, this study records for the first time the occurrence of P. missionum in Brazilian territory.

Monitoring Geomorphic and Traditional Post-Mine Reclamation using Digital Imagery: Vegetative Heterogeneity and Sampling Efficiency

Geomorphic reclamation creates variable topography and surface architecture, including rolling hillslopes and drainages. In contrast, traditional methods of reclamation result in landscapes susceptible to erosion due to steep, linear gradients. Geomorphic approaches to surface mine reclamation are relatively new, and hypotheses suggest the use of geomorphic principles in reclamation will improve vegetation outcomes relative to traditional methods. Topographic variability created by geomorphic reclamation likely results in more environmental heterogeneity, which should correlate with greater plant diversity. We examined revegetation outcomes of traditional and geomorphic reclamation on two reclaimed surface mines in Wyoming using nadir image sampling. Functional group diversity and measures of cover were compared between reclamation methods and undisturbed rangeland. Geomorphic reclamation supported greater total richness and greater native functional group richness relative to traditional reclamation. Native species cover on geomorphic reclamation, particularly for native perennial grasses, was either similar to undisturbed rangeland or greater than undisturbed rangeland and traditional reclamation. Reclamation shrub cover differed significantly from undisturbed sites, but was greater in geomorphic treatments. Results of nadir image analysis are compared to line-point intercept data from the same locations and outcomes are discussed in light of different reclamation techniques and sampling methods. Significant differences in cover categories were observed between nadir image and line-point intercept methods, however both methods revealed similar patterns between study sites.

Tolerant and avoiders in an urban landscape: anuran species richness and functional groups responses in the Yungas’ forest of NW Argentina

Urbanization is one of the most important causes of ecological changes and biodiversity loss worldwide, and forests in Latin America provide valuable scenarios to understand the ecological effects of this human-driven phenomenon due to its high urbanization rate. Our aim was to investigate how urbanization shapes species richness (SR) and composition of anuran communities in NW Argentina, and to determine which suite of life history traits are related to anuran tolerance to urban development. We classified anuran species in Functional Groups (FG) based on a series of ecological traits and recognized them as urban-tolerant or urban-avoiders. We constructed an urbanization composite index (UI) through an exploratory factor analysis based on measures of artificial light intensity, noise pollution, land use types, and mean values of LTS, NDMI, and NDVI. We tested the response of SR, FG and species occurrence to UI with Generalized Linear Models and a variation partitioning analysis. Our results showed the negative influence of urbanization on anuran diversity and suggested that the loss of anuran species is not random, pointing to the presence of environmental filters. Only terrestrial frogs that build aquatic foam nests were not affected by an increase in urbanization, so they may be considered as urban--tolerant. Further, our results highlighted the important role of dispersal capacity in structuring the urban anuran assemblages. As ecologists working in urban habitats, we emphasize the need of a more comprehensive and generalized understanding of ecological and life history traits associated with urban tolerant anurans.

Bird assembly in restinga reforested areas

Fragmentation is one of environmental degradation and reduction of biodiversity causes, including in bird communities, mainly in Atlantic Forest areas. The aim of this study was to evaluate the differences in richness and functional groups structure in the ornitofauna from a Restinga forest fragment and four areas with different ages of reforestation. We selected five forest fragments in a Restinga area in the state of Paraiba. A native fragment (Control Area-AC) and four fragments that have undergone a mining process and present different ages of reforestation (1989, 1997, 2001 and 2003). The avifauna samples occurred in four expeditions between November 2006 and April 2008 and counted with a total effort of 2700 net.m2 per expedition. Statistical tests verified richness differences between studied areas, as well as the composition of their functional groups. In general, 90 bird species were recorded, and the highest reforestation age area presented the highest richness (n = 51 spp.). The species richness comparisons indicated that the difference in the richness between AC and reforested areas is not statistically significant. The similarity analysis indicates that reforested areas share a large amount of species and AC has a great differentiation in composition. This differentiation is explained by the significant presence of frugivorous, nectarivorous, leaf and understory-insectivorous species. Changes in species richness and composition in degraded areas are expected and reforested areas usually have a smaller number of forest-dependent species due to the deficiency of available resources. The recovery of areas by reforestation are important conservation strategies, however there is need for management measures that promote the enrichment of these areas and the availability of resources for species dependent on environments Forest.

Response in bird community to a forest fire: Does bird population recover after several years?

Fires occur almost every year in Sumatra Indonesia and have impacted on biodiversity. As a part of the ecosystem, birds play an essential role in the food chain and have a function as specific indicators of the ecosystem. Despite its important role, the response of the bird community to forest fires is not yet completely understood. To improve the understanding of the recovery of bird community after the forest fire, especially in Indonesia, we conducted a study in 2017 and 2019 at a sago plantation forest in Riau Province, Sumatra. We used the combination of point count method, transect method, and exploration to observe the bird community for 40 days at the burned area and unburned area. We estimated the response of birds on forest fire by quantifying and assess the level of species richness, species evenness, similarity, and feeding group of species. We found that bird communities are starting being recovery four years after the forest fire. Even though the value varies among sites, the species richness and evenness in the burned area are increasing in two years, as much as 28.56%, and 6.52%, respectively. In the fourth year, this recovery was also indicated by the higher number of individuals in the burned area than in the unburned area. In the functional diversity, insectivore is the dominant feeding group. This study revealed that the burned are, that impact on food source regimes, may sustain the existence and recovery of bird community in the post-fire area.

Arthropod diversity and ecological processes on green roofs in a semi-rural area of Argentina: Similarity to neighbor ground habitats and landscape effects

Green roofs could mitigate the negative effects of urbanization by providing habitats for arthropods. However, more studies are necessary to understand if these new ecosystems can harbor similar numbers of species and levels of ecological processes than habitats at the ground-level. In 15 houses of 1–2 floors with extensive green roofs from a semi-rural area in Córdoba (central Argentina), we analyzed the species richness and abundance of arthropods on green roofs and their neighboring ground-level habitats and evaluated the influence of landscape composition (proportion of buildings, grasslands, and streets). We focus on feeding groups (herbivores, predators, omnivores, detritivores, parasitoids, and pollinators) and two ecological processes (herbivory and predation). Moreover, we tested two factors that may drive the communities on ground-level habitats and green roofs: habitat area and plant species richness. Species richness and abundance of arthropods (total and by feeding groups), and predation rates were significantly higher in ground-level habitats than on green roofs. Nevertheless, arthropod diversity on living roofs was striking, with almost 400 species from different feeding groups. Street cover in the landscape negatively affected total richness and several feeding groups. On ground-level habitats, herbivory increased with street cover and predation with grassland cover. The main factor driving arthropods in both green roofs and ground-level habitats was habitat area, whereas plant richness had a positive effect only in predators, detritivores, and omnivores. Our results reinforce the role of green roofs as habitat for arthropod species in semi-rural areas of Latin-American countries, where the evidence was so far lacking.

Food traditions and colonial interactions in the ancient Mediterranean: Stable isotope evidence from the Greek Sicilian colony Himera

During the 8-7th centuries BCE, Greeks began establishing colonies throughout the Mediterranean region. Founded in 648 BCE, the Greek colony Himera was the meeting place for Greeks of multiple cultural backgrounds, indigenous Sicilians, and Phoenicians, and was closely connected to the broader Mediterranean world through trade. We explore evidence for diversity and cultural hybridity at Himera from the perspective of its food traditions using stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis of 90 humans, and fauna associated with the burials.Results indicate diets based on C3 plants, supporting historical evidence that cereals provided most daily calories, with other plants eaten as supplemental “relishes.” Terrestrial animal protein was consumed in variable, but mostly low amounts, and there is no clear isotopic evidence for fish consumption. There are no differences in diet based on burial style, body position, burial “richness,” or age group, but some evidence for differences in diets of males and females, particularly during young adulthood. The fact that diets vary independently of several potentially prominent markers of status or ethnicity supports models of cultural hybridity in Greek colonization, wherein elements of different cultures mingled and recombined in new ways specific to the colony, rather than simple admixture or assimilation.

The diversity of thrips (Insecta: Thysanoptera) on buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) is markedly lower than on native grasses in an urban landscape

Abstract Buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) is a perennial tussock grass native to parts of Africa and southern Asia but is now distributed throughout much of mainland Australia. Corresponding with its presence in Australia has been an alteration of fire regimes and soil nutrients, and a reduction in floral diversity. We investigated whether buffel grass supported a less diverse community of thrips (order Thysanoptera) compared to the native grasses Cymbopogon ambiguus and Themeda triandra growing in Alice Springs, central Australia. The survey data showed that abundance was highest on buffel grass; however, the thrips community was almost entirely dominated by one species. The thrips communities on the native grasses were similar and markedly more diverse than that on buffel grass, both in terms of species richness and functional feeding groups. Flower feeders constituted the greatest proportion of thrips on all three grasses, but the native grasses also supported leaf feeders and predators. The results indicate that thrips are sensitive to vegetation change, and we suggest that active removal of buffel grass and replacement with local native grasses would help reverse the loss of biodiversity and normal ecological function in urban areas like Alice Springs. We also suggest that the order Thysanoptera is under-utilised in biodiversity research.

Changes in surface soil properties and macroinvertebrate communities with the conversion of secondary forests to oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) plantations

The conversion of natural forest to oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) plantation is perceived as a threat to biodiversity conservation. The aims of this investigation were to assess variation in soil physico-chemical parameters and macroinvertebrate structures following the conversion of secondary forests to oil palm plantations, and to understand what to expect with the aging of the plantations. We hypothesised that soil properties would be improved with respect to biodiversity conservation with the aging of the oil palm plantations. Sampling was carried out in secondary forests, and in 13-, 20- and 39-year-old oil palm plantations at the La Mé Station, Côte d’Ivoire. Three sampling areas were established in each land-use type and age class, for a total of 12 sampling areas. Over a 50-m transect, litter-dwelling macroinvertebrates were sampled by using pitfall traps, and topsoil (0–10 cm) macroinvertebrates by using monoliths (50 cm by 50 cm by 10 cm), following the modified ‘Tropical soil biology and fertility’ method. Soil physical and chemical parameters were characterised. The results showed that the conversion of secondary forests to oil palm plantations was characterised by changes in soil macroinvertebrate density (–30%), taxonomic richness (–37%) and functional groups (–17%), as well as soil bulk density (+14%) and water content (+16%), after ~39 years of conversion. Soil organic carbon, total nitrogen and organic matter increased with the aging of plantations, and reached conditions similar to those of secondary forests. The human interference imposed on macroinvertebrate communities during site preparation and planting was not compensated by the reduction in the soil-degradation index over time. The results have implications for implementation of conservation agriculture and the related management practices.

Effects of proximity to urban areas on a riparian bird community in remnant Atlantic Forest in southeastern Brazil

The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of urban activities on the structure and composition of a bird community in riparian forests in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. The study was carried out in seven areas of remnant riparian forest where fixed points have been established to sample bird species. Richness, diversity, abundance, frequency and trophic groups were used as metrics of the bird community. At each point measurements were taken for: (1) habitat characteristics: average height of trees, number of trees above 2m, number of shrubs <2m and the percentage of canopy opening; (2) neighborhood characteristics: closest distance from open areas, highways, urban areas, river and floodplain to the point of observation. The observations resulted in 88 species of birds belonging to 34 families. The most representative families were Tyrannidae, Thraupidae and Picidae. The most predominant trophic groups were insectivorous (54%), omnivorous (11.5%) and frugivorous (10.3%). The results obtained showed that the number of trees explained the variation in abundance, while the mean height of the trees explained variations in richness and frequency. Overall, the bird community was negatively affected by proximity of urban areas and highways. In conclusion, the community of birds in the riparian forest may be affected by the loss of trees above 2m and by urbanization, leading mainly to the replacement of species belonging to specialist trophic groups by generalist species and those more adjusted to human presence.

Weak lensing analysis of codex clusters using dark energy camera legacy survey: mass–richness relation

ABSTRACT We present the weak-lensing analysis of 279 CODEX clusters using imaging data from 4200 deg2 of the DECam Legacy Survey (DECaLS) Data Release 3. The cluster sample results from a joint selection in X-ray, optical richness in the range 20 ≤ λ < 110, and redshift in the range 0.1 ≤ z ≤ 0.2. We model the cluster mass (M200c) and the richness relation with the expression $\left\langle M_{\rm 200c} | \lambda \right\rangle \propto M_{0} \, (\lambda / 40)^{F_{\lambda }}$. By measuring the CODEX cluster sample as an individual cluster, we obtain the best-fitting values, $M_{0} = 3.24^{+0.29}_{-0.27} \times 10^{14} \text{M}_{\odot }$, and $F_{\lambda } = 1.00 ^{+0.22}_{-0.22}$ for the richness scaling index, consistent with a power-law relation. Moreover, we separate the cluster sample into three richness groups; λ = 20–30, 30–50, and 50–110, and measure the stacked excess surface mass density profile in each group. The results show that both methods are consistent. In addition, we find an excellent agreement between our weak lensing based scaling relation and the relation obtained with dynamical masses estimated from cluster member velocity dispersions measured by the SDSS-IV/SPIDERS team. This suggests that the cluster dynamical equilibrium assumption involved in the dynamical mass estimates is statistically robust for a large sample of clusters.

Comparison of baited remote underwater video (BRUV) and underwater visual census (UVC) for assessment of reef fish in a marginal reef in the northern Persian Gulf

Underwater Visual Census (UVC) and Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUV) are broadly used methods to study fish assemblages in marine and estuarine environments. This study compared the results of BRUV and UVC methods for assessing seasonal trends in coral reef fish assemblages in a marginal reef in the northern Persian Gulf. In doing so, seasonal surveys of coral reef fishes were done using BRUV and UVC methods. Comparison of assemblage metrics driven from each method indicated that both methods may reveal similar patterns of seasonal changes in fish and trophic group assemblages while there may be between-method differences in species richness, total abundance, and trophic group abundances. The observed differences may be related to the longer sampling times of BRUV.

Conservation priorities and distribution patterns of vascular plant species along environmental gradients in Aberdare ranges forest.

Distribution patterns of biodiversity and the factors influencing them are important in conservation and management strategies of natural resources. With impending threats from increased human population and global climatic changes, there is an urgent need for a comprehensive understanding of these patterns, more so in species-rich tropical montane ecosystems where little is known about plant diversity and distribution. Vascular species richness along elevation and climatic gradients of Aberdare ranges forest were explored. A total of 1337 species in 137 families, 606 genera, 82 subspecies and 80 varieties were recorded. Correlations, simple linear regression and Partial least square regression analysis were used to assess richness and diversity patterns of total plants, herbs, shrubs, climbers, arboreal and endemic species from 2000–4000 m above sea level. Total plant species richness showed a monotonic declining relationship with elevation with richness maxima at 2000–2100 m a.s.l., while endemic species richness had a positive unimodal increase along elevation with peaks at 3600–3700 m a.s.l. Herbs, shrubs, climbers and arboreal had significant negative relationships with altitude, excluding endemism which showed positive relations. In contrast, both air and soil temperatures had positive relationships with taxa richness groups and negative relations with endemic species. Elevation was found to have higher relative influence on plant richness and distribution in Aberdare ranges forest. For effective conservation and management of biodiversity in Aberdare, localized dynamic conservation interventions are recommended in contrast to broad and static strategies. Establishment of conservation zones and migration corridors are necessary to safeguard biodiversity in line with envisaged global climatic vicissitudes.

Impervious surface and heterogeneity are opposite drivers to maintain bird richness in a Cerrado city

Assessing the influences of habitat structure on bird richness and functional groups can assist planning and management of urban conservation strategies. Here we analyzed how the urbanization of a city from central-west Brazil (Campo Grande) affects a Cerrado hotspot bird community by focusing on richness of bird feeding groups (frugivore, nectarivore, granivore, omnivore and insectivore). We sampled birds in 61 hexagons (16 ha each one) along an urbanization gradient. For each response variable (richness of bird feeding group) we used five predictor variables: impervious surface, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (sdNDVI), number of trees, edifices, and houses. To assess the effects of urbanization on bird species richness, we fitted multiple regression models and used Akaike’s information criterion for small samples to assess model performance. Impervious surface was the main driver of bird richness. The explanation of most plausible models for each response variable ranged from 20 to 51% of richness variability. Overall richness was negatively affected by impervious surface and positively influenced by number of houses and sdNDVI, a proxy of heterogeneity in our study area. The number of trees did not influence plant specialists and granivores, but the number of houses and sdNdvi did. Insectivore and omnivore richness were only affected by impervious surface. Campo Grande city mimics aspects of the Cerrado heterogeneity, including bird community. Our findings give support to urban planning initiatives that optimize patch dynamics and heterogeneity at multiple spatial scales, as being appropriate for cities within Cerrado landscapes.

Exotic Species Occurrence in Remnant and Restored Eastern Prairie Ecosystems and their Relation to Native Species Richness, Evenness, and Functional Group Abundance

Eight eastern U.S. prairie sites were sampled for exotic species abundance in relation to levels of native diversity; including species and functional richness, species evenness, and functional group similarity for the alpha (quadrat; 1m2; n = 508) and gamma (site; n = 8) scales. Spearman's rank co- efficient analyses found only a weak negative correlation (P < 0.001; rs =–0.14) with species richness and exotic abundance; and was nonsignificant for the other measures of diversity. Principal Components Analysis (PCA) indicated instead that exotic abundance was more correlated with higher soil parameter values among the sites. Both Lonicera japonica and Lespedeza cuneata represented 90% of the exotic cover from among the study sites.