Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/23137
Title: Longevity, growth and community ecology of invasive Poa annua across environmental gradients in the subantarctic
Contributor(s): Williams, Laura K (author); Shaw, Justine (author); Sindel, Brian M  (author)orcid ; Wilson, Susan C  (author)orcid ; Kristiansen, Paul  (author)orcid 
Publication Date: 2018
DOI: 10.1016/j.baae.2018.02.003
Handle Link: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/23137
Abstract: Poa annua is a cosmopolitan weed in turf grass. It is a widespread non-native species in the subantarctic and also occurs in the Antarctic Peninsula. It has highly variable morphology, longevity and reproductive capacity across both its invaded and native range. Little is known about the ecology of P. annua in the subantarctic, particularly its longevity, morphological variation across small spatial scales and competitive ability. We monitored individual P. annua plants on subantarctic Macquarie Island to assess their longevity; quantified morphology and biomass allocation across environmental gradients; and assessed community diversity indices in areas of varying P. annua density. We show that P. annua plants on Macquarie Island are perennial, and their morphology varies with elevation, animal disturbance and soil properties. At low altitude, coastal sites with high animal disturbance and deep, sandy soils, P. annua plants are larger and native plant diversity is low. Conversely, at high altitude sites P. annua plants are smaller and the diversity of native species is not reduced. This new information informs why P. annua is the most successful plant invader in the subantarctic and quantifies some key characteristics enabling an invasive species to function well beyond its natural range. Community ecology theory can also explain patterns in the ecology of P. annua on Macquarie Island.
Publication Type: Journal Article
Source of Publication: Basic and Applied Ecology, v.29, p. 20-31
Publisher: Elsevier GmbH
Place of Publication: Germany
ISSN: 1618-0089
1439-1791
Fields of Research (FoR) 2008: 050103 Invasive Species Ecology
050205 Environmental Management
Fields of Research (FoR) 2020: 410202 Biosecurity science and invasive species ecology
410404 Environmental management
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2008: 960410 Control of Pests, Diseases and Exotic Species in Sparseland, Permanent Grassland and Arid Zone Environments
960502 Ecosystem Assessment and Management of Antarctic and Sub-Antarctic Environments
960801 Antarctic and Sub-Antarctic Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2020: 180201 Assessment and management of coastal and estuarine ecosystems
180404 Biodiversity in Antarctic and Southern Ocean environments
180602 Control of pests, diseases and exotic species in terrestrial environments
Peer Reviewed: Yes
HERDC Category Description: C1 Refereed Article in a Scholarly Journal
Appears in Collections:Journal Article
School of Environmental and Rural Science

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