Shrub invasion decreases diversity and alters community stability in northern Chihuahuan Desert plant communities.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Global climate change is rapidly altering species range distributions and interactions within communities. As ranges expand, invading species change interactions in communities which may reduce stability, a mechanism known to affect biodiversity. In aridland ecosystems worldwide, the range of native shrubs is expanding as they invade and replace native grassland vegetation with significant consequences for biodiversity and ecosystem functioning.

Methodology

We used two long-term data sets to determine the effects of shrub encroachment by Larrea tridentata on subdominant community composition and stability in formerly native perennial grassland dominated by Bouteloua eriopoda in New Mexico, USA.

Principal findings

Our results indicated that Larrea invasion d

SUBMITTER: Baez S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2409219 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature