Defining patch mosaic functional types to predict invasion patterns in a forest landscape

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Forestry
• Conservation Biology

Background:

• Alien plant invasions significantly impact global biodiversity and ecosystem functions.
• Predicting and managing invasive species spread requires understanding landscape attributes that promote or hinder invasions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and apply a method for identifying landscape attributes that influence the invasion of a European temperate forest by American black cherry (Prunus serotina).
• To define and map patch mosaic functional types (PMFTs) to assess invasion risk at different levels (colonization, establishment, ecosystem invasion).

Main Methods:

• Combined landscape and functional ecology concepts to define PMFTs.
• Utilized Geographic Information System (GIS) and multivariate analyses to correlate landscape traits with Prunus serotina abundance.
• Derived and mapped a risk index for three invasion levels.

Main Results:

• Identified five PMFTs, with Scots pine plantations on podzols being most invasible and hydromorphic/calcareous soils most resistant.
• Found that colonized areas offer suitable conditions for future invasion, acting as corridors.
• Identified resistant PMFTs acting as barriers in the southern part of the forest.

Conclusions:

• Developed a hierarchical classification of PMFTs based on invasion risk, applicable to heterogeneous landscapes.
• Proposed tailored management strategies for each hierarchical level to mitigate invasion risks.
• Recommended specific actions such as monitoring safe areas, selective harvesting, and promoting native species.