Invasive Plant Suppresses the Growth of Native Tree Seedlings by Disrupting Belowground Mutualisms.

Authors

Kristina A. Stinson, Harvard University
Stuart A. Campbell, University of Guelph
Jeff R. Powell, University of Guelph
Benjamin E. Wolfe, University of Guelph
Ragan M. Callaway, University of Montana - Missoula
Giles C. Thelen, University of Montana - Missoula
Steven G. Hallett, Purdue UniversityFollow
Daniel Prati
John N. Klironomos, University of GuelphFollow

Abstract

The impact of exotic species on native organisms is widely acknowledged, but poorly understood. Very few studies have empirically investigated how invading plants may alter delicate ecological interactions among resident species in the invaded range. We present novel evidence that antifungal phytochemistry of the invasive plant, Alliaria petiolata, a European invader of North American forests, suppresses native plant growth by disrupting mutualistic associations between native canopy tree seedlings and belowground arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Our results elucidate an indirect mechanism by which invasive plants can impact native flora, and may help explain how this plant successfully invades relatively undisturbed forest habitat.

Comments

This is the publisher pdf of Stinson KA, Campbell SA, Powell JR, Wolfe BE, Callaway RM, et al. (2006) Invasive Plant Suppresses the Growth of Native Tree Seedlings by Disrupting Belowground Mutualisms. PLoS Biol 4(5): e140 and is available at: 10.1371/journal.pbio.0040140.

Date of this Version

4-25-2006

DOI

10.1371/journal.pbio.0040140

Recommended Citation

Stinson, Kristina A.; Campbell, Stuart A.; Powell, Jeff R.; Wolfe, Benjamin E.; Callaway, Ragan M.; Thelen, Giles C.; Hallett, Steven G.; Prati, Daniel; and Klironomos, John N., "Invasive Plant Suppresses the Growth of Native Tree Seedlings by Disrupting Belowground Mutualisms." (2006). Department of Botany and Plant Pathology Faculty Publications. Paper 14.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.0040140