Understory vegetation provides clues to succession in woody weed stands
Kate McAlpine, Shona L. Lamoureaux, S. M. Timmins
Abstract
Invasive exotic tree and shrub species (woody weeds) form dense, monospecific stands in many areas of New Zealand. At some sites, the weed dies out naturally and is replaced by native species as succession proceeds, but at others the weed persists indefinitely. The ability to distinguish between these different trajectories is critical to effective weed management, but the conditions that determine successional outcomes remain poorly understood.
Topics & Concepts
UnderstoryEcological successionVegetation (pathology)WeedShrubEcologyPlant communityIntroduced speciesDisturbance (geology)Woody plantBiologyAgroforestryCanopyPaleontologyMedicinePathologyEcology and Vegetation Dynamics StudiesPlant and animal studiesBiological Control of Invasive Species