Tackling Invasive Alien Species: Be creative, go native!
Invasive alien species pose a severe threat to both natural and managed ecosystems, driving land degradation on a global scale. Ecological restoration emerges as a crucial tool to combat these invasive threats, aiming to improve biotic resistance and prevent further land degradation.
The study Native species can reduce the establishment of invasive alien species if sown in high density and using competitive species (Csákvári et al. 2023) investigates controlling the establishment of invasive alien species (IAS) by introducing native seeds. It explores the impact of trait similarity and increased native propagule pressure on IAS suppression in their early development stages. The research, conducted in Hungary, examines widespread IAS of varied life forms and functional groups alongside Pannonic sand grassland species.
Key findings showcase that despite differences in thousand-seed weight, there were no significant variations in germination ability and seedling emergence between native species and IAS. However, the seedling establishment of IAS could be notably reduced by introducing native species at high densities, contingent on the species' identity.
Interestingly, rather than species of similar traits, the seeding of competitive perennial grasses significantly curbed the seedling emergence of all studied IAS. The study confirms the efficacy of controlling IAS through native seed addition during the early establishment stages, particularly by employing higher densities and competitive species.
Implications for practice underscore the significance of species-specific native seeding in bolstering biotic resistance, effectively suppressing invasive species by utilizing high seed density matching invasive propagule pressure and crafting invasion-resistant seed mixtures with competitive species. Additionally, targeting multiple factors simultaneously holds promise in supporting community resistance to invasion, necessitating further species-specific research.
This study provides vital insights for ecological restoration, offering innovative strategies to combat invasive species and fostering a deeper understanding of early-stage competition between native and invasive species.
Explore the full scope of implications for ecological practice by accessing the study here.