Impact of Ligustrum lucidum on the soil seed bank in invaded subtropical seasonally dry woodlands (Córdoba, Argentina)

FERRERAS A., GIORGIS M. A., TECCO P. A., CABIDO M. & FUNES G.

BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS

SPRINGER

Lugar: Berlin; Año: 2015 vol. 17 p. 3547 - 3561

1387-3547

The impact of invasive species on belowground flora may differ from that on the above groundvegetation. Recent reviews of invaded and nativecommunities emphasize the need for more comprehensiveinformation on the impacts of plant invasionon soil seed banks. Ligustrum lucidum is one of themost important invasive woody species in severalecosystems of Argentina; however, its impact on soilseed bank communities has not been studied. Here weanalyzed differences in species richness, total seeddensity and species composition (total, native andexotic species) in the soil seed bank of native andinvaded woodlands, in two different seasons. We alsoanalyzed differences in similarity between standingvegetation and soil seed banks of both woodland types.The study was carried out in the Chaco Serranowoodlands of Co´rdoba, central Argentina. Our mainresults indicate differences in L. lucidum woodlandcomposition and a reduction in both richness and totaldensity of species in the soil seed bank compared to thenative woodlands, independently of the samplingseason. Moreover, a higher abundance of certainexotic species in the soil seed bank was observed in L.lucidum woodlands, particularly in spring. Finally,low similarity between soil seed bank and the establishedvegetation was observed in both woodlandtypes. From a management perspective, it seems thatpassive restoration from soil seed banks of L. lucidummight be coupled with active addition of some nativewoody species and control of other exotic species