INVESTIGADORES
RELVA Maria Andrea
congresos y reuniones científicas
Título:
Large exotic mammal effects on introduced conifer invasions: Do they promote or hinder the invasion?
Autor/es:
RELVA, M. A.; NUÑEZ, M.; SIMBERLOFF, D.
Lugar:
San Carlos de Bariloche
Reunión:
Congreso; VI Southern Connection Congress; 2010
Institución organizadora:
Laboratorio Ecotono, Universidad Nacional del Comahue- Conicet
Resumen:
Exotic conifer spread is a growing concern in vast areas of the southern hemisphere since afforestation as a commercial activity is increasing, and multiple impacts on local biotas and ecosystem processes have been documented. However, it is still a challenge to understand some mechanisms driving the invasion process. It has been suggested that exotic herbivores (from insects to mammals) tend to promote invasion of exotic plants, but this could depend greatly on context. Herbivory by large exotic mammals and associated activities such as trampling, defecation and urination have been seen as having two opposite effect on conifer invasion: hindering conifer invasion or promoting it. Here, we suggest that the type (domestic vs. wild animals), intensity of herbivory, and local plant community (forest vs. non forest) can be key factors determining the type of response (facilitation or inhibition). Domestic animals seem generally to affect conifer establishment negatively, likely because of their high densities; and non-forest areas appear to be more sensitive to the presence of mammalian herbivores. Together these results, gathered from different continents, show that the response of invasive conifers to exotic herbivores is highly context-dependent but that some clear response patterns do exist.