Range expansion of invasive shrubs: implication for crown fire risk in forestlands of the southern USA.

ABSTRACT: Non-native plant invasions and changing management activities have dramatically altered the structure and composition of forests worldwide. Invasive shrubs and fire suppression have led to increased densification and biomass accumulation in forest ecosystems of the southeastern USA. Notably, Chinese and European privets are rapid growing, shade-tolerant shrubs which number among the most aggressive invasive species in these forests. Privet encroachment has caused losses of native diversity, alteration of ecosystem processes and changes in community structure. The latter has become manifest through decreases in fine herbaceous fuels concurrent with increases in coarse woody fuels in forest understoreys. These alterations in fuel structure will potentially lead to less frequent, but more sev

SUBMITTER: Wang HH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4804204 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature