Synergy between pathogen release and resource availability in plant invasion.
Dana Blumenthal1, Charles E Mitchell, Petr Pysek
1Rangeland Resources Research Unit, U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, 1701 Center Avenue, Fort Collins, CO 80526, USA. dana.blumenthal@ars.usda.gov
Summary
Exotic plants that thrive in resource-rich environments are more susceptible to enemies, leading to greater enemy release and invasion success. This suggests enemy release and resource availability work together to favor invasive species.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Invasive Species Biology
- Plant Pathology
Background:
- Exotic plant invasions are a significant ecological concern.
- Two leading hypotheses for invasion success are increased resource availability and enemy release.
- These hypotheses may act synergistically if species adapted to high resources are also enemy-susceptible.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if resource adaptations influence pathogen richness and enemy release in exotic plants.
- To determine if enemy release is more pronounced in species adapted to high resource environments.
Main Methods:
- Examined 243 European plant species naturalized in the United States.
- Assessed pathogen richness (fungi and viruses) in native ranges.
- Categorized species based on resource adaptations (mesic/xeric, nitrogen-rich/poor, competitor/stress-tolerator).
Main Results:
- Species adapted to higher resource availability hosted more pathogens.
- Competitors and species from mesic, nitrogen-rich environments had higher pathogen loads.
- These species also experienced greater enemy release, losing more pathogens upon introduction.
Conclusions:
- Enemy release disproportionately benefits fast-growing species adapted to resource-rich environments.
- Synergistic effects of enemy release and resource availability likely drive exotic plant invasions.
- Understanding these interactions is crucial for predicting and managing invasive species.
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