PARENT SESSION
Poster Session 20: Invasive Species
Wednesday, August 10, 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM, Exhibit Hall 220 A-E, Level 2, Palais des congrès de Montréal
Native nurses facilitate the invasion of an exotic plant species in the alpine zone of the Andes of central Chile.
Cavieres, Lohengrin *,1, Molina-Montenegro, Marco1, Pauchard, Anibal1, 1 Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
ABSTRACT- Invasive plant species typically establish negative interactions with native species. However, positive interactions among plants are important for survival under the harsh environmental conditions of alpine habitats. Alpine cushion plants can modify their microclimate, facilitating the establishment of other native alpine plant species. However, there are no studies evaluating whether microclimatic modifications generated by cushions can facilitate the survival and/or improve the physiological performance of invasive species. We characterized soil humidity and temperature, and nutrient content of soils within and away from cushions of Laretia acaulis in the Andes of central Chile. Additionally, we measured seedling survival, gas exchange and fluorescence parameters of individuals of the invasive species Taraxacum officinale growing within and away from cushions. Cushions maintained milder temperatures, higher availability of water, and higher nutrient content than the bare ground. Survival and the physiological performance of individuals of T. officinale growing within cushions were greater than that of those growing away from cushions. This suggests that positive interaction between native nurses and alien species could facilitate the invasion processes in high-elevation habitats. Acknowledgments: FONDECYT 1030821, 1040528 and P02-051-F ICM.
Key words: invasion, alpine, facilitation, Chile