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Updated: Jan 12, 2026
08:16
Experimental Protocol for Manipulating Plant-induced Soil Heterogeneity
Published on: March 13, 2014
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Plant composition dynamics following non-native ungulate removal: Convergence, divergence, and novel ecosystems
Annie Meeder1, Robert Klinger2,3, John Knapp4
1Department of Biology, California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo, California, USA.
Summary
Ecological recovery on islands after invasive species removal shows complex patterns. Native vegetation is returning in some areas, while invasive species persist in others, highlighting challenges in biodiversity management.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Conservation Biology
- Island Biogeography
Background:
- Global change and disturbance regimes significantly impact ecosystem structure and function.
- Island ecosystems, with high endemism and invasive species vulnerability, are particularly sensitive to these changes.
- Feral ungulate removal is a common conservation strategy, but its long-term effects on community assembly are complex.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate vegetation dynamics on Santa Cruz Island, California (SCI), over three decades following feral ungulate removal.
- To analyze the interplay of community convergence and divergence in response to disturbance legacies and local site variability.
- To understand the role of hierarchical complexity in ecological recovery and the formation of novel ecosystems.
Main Methods:
- Utilized three decades of longitudinal vegetation data from Santa Cruz Island.
- Applied community assembly analyses to assess species composition changes.
- Examined patterns of divergence and convergence in relation to historical grazing intensity and site-specific factors.
Main Results:
- Observed both divergence and convergence in species composition, influenced by grazing history and site variability.
- Divergence was prominent in grasslands and fennel-dominated areas, with persistent invasive species or shifting trajectories.
- Convergence occurred in woody communities, showing increased native shrub and tree cover, indicating successful recovery in certain habitats.
Conclusions:
- Ecological recovery is a complex process influenced by hierarchical interactions between local and large-scale drivers.
- Novel and hybrid ecosystems are emerging due to the interplay of native and invasive species following severe disturbance.
- Understanding convergence and divergence dynamics is crucial for setting realistic conservation goals and managing biodiversity in recovering island ecosystems.
Keywords:
adaptive managementecological recoveryinvasive speciesnovel ecosystemsspecies compositionvegetation dynamicsMore Related Videos
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