Alien plant species on roadsides of the northwestern Patagonian steppe (Argentina).

ABSTRACT: The introduction of alien species represents one of the greatest threats to biodiversity worldwide. Highway construction increases the dispersal and invasion of exotic plant species. This study examined the assembly process of the plant communities to determine whether the roadsides of the Patagonian steppe represent a reservoir and dispersal source of invasive exotic species. We analyzed the composition of exotic and native species and functional groups present in the established vegetation and seed banks of roadsides and reference areas nearby. The type of dispersal of exotic and native species at the roadsides was also evaluated. Total cover and that of exotic and native species was lower at the roadsides than in the reference areas; however, at the roadsides the cover and seed abundanc

SUBMITTER: Chichizola GA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7877596 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature