Invasive plants versus their new and old neighbors: a mechanism for exotic invasion

Science. 2000 Oct 20;290(5491):521-3. doi: 10.1126/science.290.5491.521.

Abstract

Invading exotic plants are thought to succeed primarily because they have escaped their natural enemies, not because of novel interactions with their new neighbors. However, we find that Centaurea diffusa, a noxious weed in North America, has much stronger negative effects on grass species from North America than on closely related grass species from communities to which Centaurea is native. Centaurea's advantage against North American species appears to be due to differences in the effects of its root exudates and how these root exudates affect competition for resources. Our results may help to explain why some exotic species so successfully invade natural plant communities.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Physiological
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Asia
  • Asteraceae / growth & development
  • Asteraceae / physiology*
  • Biomass
  • Carbon / metabolism
  • Ecosystem*
  • Europe
  • North America
  • Phosphorus Radioisotopes / metabolism
  • Plant Roots / metabolism*
  • Poaceae / growth & development*
  • Poaceae / metabolism
  • Soil

Substances

  • Phosphorus Radioisotopes
  • Soil
  • Carbon