Invasive plant suppresses the growth of native tree seedlings by disrupting belowground mutualisms.
The impact of exotic species on native organisms is widely acknowledged, but poorly understood. Very few studies have empirically investigated how invading plants may alter delicate ecological interactions among resident species in the invaded range. We present novel evidence that antifungal phytochemistry of the invasive plant, Alliaria petiolata, a European invader of North American forests, suppresses native plant growth by disrupting mutualistic associations between native canopy tree seedlings and belowground arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Our results elucidate an indirect mechanism by which invasive plants can impact native flora, and may help explain how this plant successfully invades relatively undisturbed forest habitat.
Stinson
Kristina A
KA
Harvard Forest, Harvard University, Petersham, Massachusetts, USA.
Campbell
Stuart A
SA
Powell
Jeff R
JR
Wolfe
Benjamin E
BE
Callaway
Ragan M
RM
Thelen
Giles C
GC
Hallett
Steven G
SG
Prati
Daniel
D
Klironomos
John N
JN
D019607:Brassicaceae / Q000378:metabolism*; D017753:Ecosystem; D038821:Mycorrhizae / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology; D036226:Seedlings / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000382:microbiology*; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D013559:Symbiosis; D014197:Trees / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000382:microbiology*
D010936:Plant Extracts