Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 647-656 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | Australian journal of botany |
| Volume | 66 |
| Issue number | 8 |
| Publication status | Published - 6 Feb 2019 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Abstract
Invasive ornamental plants are a global problem that can have severe impacts on native biodiversity, especially on islands. To determine whether the invasive, ornamental ivory-cane palm Pinanga coronata could be displacing native biodiversity, we investigated its co-distribution with native tree ferns in a Fijian rainforest. We recorded the abundances of P. coronata and tree ferns and related these to environmental variables using linear models and generalised linear mixed-effect models (GLMMs). Distance to an introduction site was the most significant factor predicting the palm's distribution and abundance, suggesting that its current distribution is limited by insufficient time for wider dispersal. P. coronata cover was strongly and negatively related with the abundance of native tree ferns and the palm may therefore be displacing native tree ferns. This relationship was strongest with tree fern seedlings and weakest with mature tree ferns, implying that the palm is preventing the establishment of native tree ferns. This study thus provides strong circumstantial evidence that P. coronata is progressively displacing native tree ferns by preventing seedling establishment and poses a severe threat to Fiji's native biodiversity and ecological processes. Therefore, urgent management is required to control and prevent the further spread of P. coronata and its negative impacts on native plant biodiversity. Management should involve an initial feasibility study to determine the effectiveness of various management strategies, followed by targeted control and/or eradication campaigns and long-term monitoring. Ultimately, well implemented legislation to prevent the spread and introduction of P. coronata and other ornamental plants will be crucial to protect native biodiversity in Fiji and elsewhere.
Keywords
- biodiversity loss, Cyatheaeceae, Fiji, invasive ornamental palm, pantropics, South Pacific Islands
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Agricultural and Biological Sciences(all)
- Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
- Agricultural and Biological Sciences(all)
- Plant Science
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In: Australian journal of botany, Vol. 66, No. 8, 06.02.2019, p. 647-656.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Invasive alien palm Pinanga coronata threatens native tree ferns in an oceanic island rainforest
AU - Dyer, Michael J.B.
AU - Keppel, Gunnar
AU - Tuiwawa, Marika
AU - Vido, Sainivalati
AU - Boehmer, Hans Juergen
N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2018 CSIRO.
PY - 2019/2/6
Y1 - 2019/2/6
N2 - Invasive ornamental plants are a global problem that can have severe impacts on native biodiversity, especially on islands. To determine whether the invasive, ornamental ivory-cane palm Pinanga coronata could be displacing native biodiversity, we investigated its co-distribution with native tree ferns in a Fijian rainforest. We recorded the abundances of P. coronata and tree ferns and related these to environmental variables using linear models and generalised linear mixed-effect models (GLMMs). Distance to an introduction site was the most significant factor predicting the palm's distribution and abundance, suggesting that its current distribution is limited by insufficient time for wider dispersal. P. coronata cover was strongly and negatively related with the abundance of native tree ferns and the palm may therefore be displacing native tree ferns. This relationship was strongest with tree fern seedlings and weakest with mature tree ferns, implying that the palm is preventing the establishment of native tree ferns. This study thus provides strong circumstantial evidence that P. coronata is progressively displacing native tree ferns by preventing seedling establishment and poses a severe threat to Fiji's native biodiversity and ecological processes. Therefore, urgent management is required to control and prevent the further spread of P. coronata and its negative impacts on native plant biodiversity. Management should involve an initial feasibility study to determine the effectiveness of various management strategies, followed by targeted control and/or eradication campaigns and long-term monitoring. Ultimately, well implemented legislation to prevent the spread and introduction of P. coronata and other ornamental plants will be crucial to protect native biodiversity in Fiji and elsewhere.
AB - Invasive ornamental plants are a global problem that can have severe impacts on native biodiversity, especially on islands. To determine whether the invasive, ornamental ivory-cane palm Pinanga coronata could be displacing native biodiversity, we investigated its co-distribution with native tree ferns in a Fijian rainforest. We recorded the abundances of P. coronata and tree ferns and related these to environmental variables using linear models and generalised linear mixed-effect models (GLMMs). Distance to an introduction site was the most significant factor predicting the palm's distribution and abundance, suggesting that its current distribution is limited by insufficient time for wider dispersal. P. coronata cover was strongly and negatively related with the abundance of native tree ferns and the palm may therefore be displacing native tree ferns. This relationship was strongest with tree fern seedlings and weakest with mature tree ferns, implying that the palm is preventing the establishment of native tree ferns. This study thus provides strong circumstantial evidence that P. coronata is progressively displacing native tree ferns by preventing seedling establishment and poses a severe threat to Fiji's native biodiversity and ecological processes. Therefore, urgent management is required to control and prevent the further spread of P. coronata and its negative impacts on native plant biodiversity. Management should involve an initial feasibility study to determine the effectiveness of various management strategies, followed by targeted control and/or eradication campaigns and long-term monitoring. Ultimately, well implemented legislation to prevent the spread and introduction of P. coronata and other ornamental plants will be crucial to protect native biodiversity in Fiji and elsewhere.
KW - biodiversity loss
KW - Cyatheaeceae
KW - Fiji
KW - invasive ornamental palm
KW - pantropics
KW - South Pacific Islands
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85061251230&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1071/bt18088
DO - 10.1071/bt18088
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85061251230
VL - 66
SP - 647
EP - 656
JO - Australian journal of botany
JF - Australian journal of botany
SN - 0067-1924
IS - 8
ER -