Plant–soil biota interactions and spatial distribution of black cherry in its native and invasive ranges

  1. Kurt O. Reinhart1,*,
  2. Alissa Packer2,*,
  3. Wim H. Van der Putten3,
  4. Keith Clay2

Article first published online: 7 NOV 2003

DOI: 10.1046/j.1461-0248.2003.00539.x

Issue

Ecology Letters

Ecology Letters

Volume 6, Issue 12, pages 1046–1050, December 2003

Additional Information

How to Cite

Reinhart, K. O., Packer, A., Van der Putten, W. H. and Clay, K. (2003), Plant–soil biota interactions and spatial distribution of black cherry in its native and invasive ranges. Ecology Letters, 6: 1046–1050. doi: 10.1046/j.1461-0248.2003.00539.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Division of Biological Sciences, The University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA

  2. 2

    Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA

  3. 3

    Department of Multitrophic Interactions, Centre for Terrestrial Ecology, PO Box 40, 6666 ZG Heteren, The Netherlands

* present address: Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA. E-mail: kureinha@indiana.edu
Department of Biology, Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove, PA 17870, USA

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 7 NOV 2003
  2. Article first published online: 7 NOV 2003
  3. Editor, J. N. Klironomos Manuscript received 28 July 2003 First decision made 4 September 2003 Manuscript accepted 9 October 2003 Originally submitted as a Report

SEARCH

SEARCH BY CITATION

ARTICLE TOOLS

View Full Article (HTML) Get PDF (96K)

Keywords:

  • Biogeographical comparison;
  • trans-Atlantic comparison;
  • enemy release hypothesis;
  • natural enemies hypothesis;
  • facilitation;
  • invasive tree;
  • plant–soil community interactions;
  • Prunus serotina;
  • soil pathogens

Abstract

One explanation for the higher abundance of invasive species in their non-native than native ranges is the escape from natural enemies. But there are few experimental studies comparing the parallel impact of enemies (or competitors and mutualists) on a plant species in its native and invaded ranges, and release from soil pathogens has been rarely investigated. Here we present evidence showing that the invasion of black cherry (Prunus serotina) into north-western Europe is facilitated by the soil community. In the native range in the USA, the soil community that develops near black cherry inhibits the establishment of neighbouring conspecifics and reduces seedling performance in the greenhouse. In contrast, in the non-native range, black cherry readily establishes in close proximity to conspecifics, and the soil community enhances the growth of its seedlings. Understanding the effects of soil organisms on plant abundance will improve our ability to predict and counteract plant invasions.

View Full Article (HTML) Get PDF (96K)